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Exterior lightingPart report

2004 Ford Taurus Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
2%of 375 total for the year
Median mileage
121,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Ford Taurus, 2% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The brake lights were on continuously, even when vehicle was parked with key out of ignition. Upon further analysis, it was determined that the brake switch, attached to the brake pedal, was shorted in the closed position. I removed the switch, pried the yellow cover off to the view inside. The contacts were closed. I then forced the switch to open, not sure if the points were fused together or if the plastic housing was jammed preventing the switch from opening. I sanded the contact and reinstalled... The fix worked. …”

NHTSA complaint #10470115, filed 2012-08, 99,850 miles

“The plastic head light covers on all newer model cars have excessive corrosion which creates a major hazard because the corrosion dims the lights by at least 50%. I have tried a number of the polishes that are supposed to remove the corrosion but nothing seems to help. I am at a loss to understand why the vehicle safety people have not made the manufactures fix this problem. Why do you allow the automobile manufactures to continue to use this type head light cover when it is common knowledge these headlight covers pose a great danger to the public?”

NHTSA complaint #10510983, filed 2013-05

“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the brake light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10609184, filed 2014-07, 150,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. When the vehicle was started and with the brake pedal depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate without warning. The vehicle was not able to be shifted from the park position. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10785123, filed 2015-10, 130,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The contact stated the rear brake light would not illuminate when the brake pedal was engaged. The contact stated there were no warning indicators illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10614907, filed 2014-07, 121,000 miles

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201916%
201812%
201749%
201611%
201541%
2014136%
201392%
20121215%
2011147%
201021%
200912%
200842%
200711%
200662%
200541%
200482%
2003464%
2002242%
2001293%
2000877%
1999182%
1998143%
1997152%
1996273%
1995252%
1994505%
19931409%
1992132%
199161%
199062%
198981%
198862%
198762%

Other parts of the 2004 Ford Taurus

Vehicle speed control
164 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
72 complaints
Brakes
26 complaints
Electrical system
26 complaints
Engine
25 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Engine cooling
19 complaints
Body and structure
17 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Taurus

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology