The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.
The risk
THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS WITH BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND ALSO INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AND REPLACE, AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercury Cougar | 1999 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Cougar | 1999 | 454 | 7 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2001
17 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the exterior lighting; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 01V376000 12 Dec 2001 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V364000 3 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V360000 27 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V344000 1 Nov 2001 | FLEETWOOD ENT., INC. |
| 01V336000 31 Oct 2001 | AM GENERAL CORPORATION |
| 01V308000 9 Oct 2001 | NU WA INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V315000 3 Oct 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 01V250000 2 Aug 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001