Investigation EA96019: 1992–1995 Ford Taurus

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Jul 31, 1996

Closed

Jan 26, 1998

Model years

1992–1995

Subject

Headlight failure

Component: Exterior lighting

Summary

Excessive heat in an improperly manufactured circuit breaker within the headlight switch caused that circuit breaker to open for time periods of varying length to cool off.opening of the circuit breaker in this manner interrupts electric current flow to the headlights, shutting them off.headlight outages have ranger from brief flickers (less than one second) to greater than 20 seconds.over time, the outages grow in length and duration because of heat-induced deterioration of the switch and associated wiring.recall 98v-009 will apply to approximately 506,000 taurus, sable, mark viii, and continental vehicles produced from 1-dec.-92 through 30-sep-93 at the atlanta, chicago,and wixom assembly plants.87% of my 1992-1995 taurus/sable and 97% of my 1993-1995 mark viii warranty repairs (headlight switch replacement) involved vehicles built during the dec. 92 - oct. 93 build range.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 1995 Ford Taurus1,205 complaints
• 1994 Ford Taurus923 complaints
• 1993 Ford Taurus1,557 complaints
• 1992 Ford Taurus681 complaints