All Investigations » Investigation RQ03008

  Defect Investigation of Brake Light Switch Failure

Investigation of Brake Light Switch Failure

Subject: Brake light switch failure
Components covered:
  • Exterior lighting
  • Brake lights
  • Brake lights switch
  • Tail lights
  • Tail lights switch
  • Brake switches brake light
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Oct. 23, 2003. It was closed on Mar. 5, 2004. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
Ford conducted a recall in March, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v-078). Rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v-078. Odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v-078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals. (note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in the scope of recall 01v-078. )on March 1, 2004, Ford notified NHTSA of a safety defect in my 2000 through early-2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals and my 2000 subject vehicles equipped with fixed pedals (recall 04v-106). The notification identified three factors contributing to brake light circuit failures:(1) continuing grease contamination issues that prompted 01v-078; (2) misalignment of the booster rod pin and the brake light switch; and (3) wire assembly fatigue. The first two conditions were limited to vehicles with adjustable pedals and the latter condition affected vehicles with fixed pedals. Ford will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the brake light switch and associated wiring replaced with a re-designed brake light switch and wiring assembly.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2000 Ford Taurus
  • 2001 Ford Taurus
  • 2002 Ford Taurus
  • 2003 Ford Taurus
  • 2000 Mercury Sable
  • 2001 Mercury Sable
  • 2002 Mercury Sable
  • 2003 Mercury Sable

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