The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL BY A SUPPLIER, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB CAN FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
The risk
THIS WOULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY FOR THE DRIVER TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 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 |
|---|---|
| Ford Excursion | 2000 |
| Ford Taurus | 2000 |
| Mercury Sable | 2000 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS: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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Excursion | 2000 | 533 | 5 |
| Ford Taurus | 2000 | 1,195 | 8 |
| Mercury Sable | 2000 | 464 | 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