The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 2000, 2001 |
| Mercury Sable | 2000, 2001 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 2000 | 1,195 | 8 |
| Ford Taurus | 2001 | 1,037 | 9 |
| Mercury Sable | 2000 | 464 | 7 |
| Mercury Sable | 2001 | 430 | 8 |
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