Headlight Switch problems of the 1996 Ford Contour - part 1

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the plug on the headlight switch overheated and melted the wire in the plug. He had to disconnect the battery every time he got out of the vehicle because it caused a failure within the parking lights. The plug and headlight switch needed to be replaced. He found recall 99v103000 online and was told by both the manufacturer and the dealer that his vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 183,000. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The headlight switch malfunctioned and caused the tail lights and instrument panel light to go out without warning. The vehicle was recall once for this problem and repaired but the problem has reocurred. Manufacturer stated since the recall was repaired once, they will not repair it again free of charge.

Headlight switch terminals and wiring harness terminals experienced heat damage. The instrument panel, tail lights and parking lights failed. Robin Ford dealer, 100 n. Mcdade blvd, glenolden, PA indicated that there is a recall for this problem on the 96 Ford Contour but my VIN does not apply to the recall. My VIN is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Consumer states received recall 99v103000 notification. Dealership repaired other recalls, but informed consumer parts were not available to repair headlight switch recall, and he should return in 7 days. When consumer returned to dealership he was informed that vehicle had already been serviced for this recall, and any work would be performed at consumer's expense. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

Panel lights and tail lights failed, part (f5rz-14a411-ba) was replaced in 8/99 according to recall (99v-103), part failed 1 year and 5 months later, owner would like to be reimibursed for repairs on 1/12/01. Cj.

Received recall notice 99v103000; took vehicle to dealer last year. Mechanic barely looked at switch & declared okay. Now having problems as recall indicated. Took vehicle back. Informed by mechanic switch just suppose to be inspected & not replaced. Recall notice indicated to replace switch & then inspect it later.

Vehicle has been at the dealership for a nine week period waiting for the recall component part to arrive (99v-103).

Rec'd recall 99v103000 & contacted dealer. Took vehicle in for headlight connector & it was replaced. When starting vehicle, it was very sluggish. Problem was not present before connector replaced. Owner not satisfied with repairs.

Received a manufacturer's recall notice #99s-14 Ford/headlight switch /wiring harness; took vehicle to dealer shop for repairs; later on noticed instrument panel lights failed to operate. Notified dealer, and informed consumerthat it would c additional $48. 00 to get the lights back on. Can NHTSA provide further detail on this matter.

Notified by dealer of recall #99v103000. Took to dealer for repairs. Supposedly took 10 minutes of repair. The panel lights still not on. Afterwards, received notice #99v103000 from dealer. Went to different dealer who refused repairs due to other dealership having already done repairs.

Received manufacturer's recall 99s-14; Ford/head light switch/wiring harness. Took vehicle in for repairs,three days later vehicle would not start; contacted dealer and informed of problem. Dealer informed consumer not to bring vehicle in because consumer refused to pay $48. 00 for fuses for clock and radio. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.

Whenever headlight switch is turned on all other lights remain off. This condition has occurred on two other occasions that consumer paid for repairs. Manufacturer informed consumer that vehicle was not under any recall, any repairs made would be at consumer's expense.

The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connectors failed prior to recall notice 99v-103 causing the vehicle to shut down. Nlm.

Headlight switch and mount failed/burned up/lights won't turn off/on, needed replacing, dashboard components always run hot; fuel door lever inside car doesn't work reliably & door sticks; egr hose failed, took Ford 1. 5 weeks to get one in, no guidelines this hose ever needing replaced, & it costs $93??!?!.

Recall repair on the head light switch (99v-103) completed, however after repair the instrument panel lights do not always illuminate and are not as bright and after extended use of the headlights the resistor switch for panel lights is hot to the tough (required additional repairs). Mjs.

While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. Consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. Consumer did not know which switch, on Nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. Took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a f5rz14a411 , head lamp switch.

Consumer has defective parts , such as. Headlight switch is ticking noise inside of the vehicle, and all dashboard lights are out.

The first noticable symptom was that my dashboard lights went out. I then learned that, although my headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and ememgency flashers still functioned, my running lights were also out. Upon taking the car into the dealership, I was informed that my headlight switch had shorted and caused damage to the interior wiring harness. To add further insult to injury, I had to purchase an entire wiring harness regardless of whether or not I wished to have the damage harness repaired or replaced because the needed parts could not be obtained separately. This has all been reported to Ford motor company and they are looking into the matter. I have only reported my case to the NHTSA after finding a listing in your online investigations database for action number pe98063 and thought that my story may pertain to this investigation. Thank you for your consideration.

Consumer experiencing loss of instrument and tail lights at the same time. Dealer notified and repaired malfunction at the cost to consumer, replaced headlamp switch and connector.

Had headlights on & noticed smoke coming from dashboard. The headlight switch caught fire. Electrical system had shorted out. Took to dealer & called manufacturer informed owner's fault for electrical short & fire. Will not repair defect.

Faulty headlight switch caused dash and tail lights not to work.

Headlights and dashlights did not work when switch was turned on. Dealer contacted, and stated the headlight switch was burnt out, wires and the connector were all burnt out also, vehcile should not be driven due to a fire hazard.

Prior to recall electrical connector at head light switch failed (99v-103). Yh.

Wiring harness connector failed prior to recall notice causing instrument panel lights and tail lights not to illuminate(99v-103). Nlm.

Consumer recall workk on 99v-103 head light switch performed, however after repair temprature gauge failed and head lights not aligned properly consumer not satisfied with repair. Yh.

Consumer received a recall notice and made an appointment with the dealer to have repairs, the dealer stated that the vehicle was not in their computer to have this work done, consumer has paid for the repairs. (99v10300).

Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99s14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management,dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair.

Recall repair (99v-103) completed, however harness connector assembly replaced and not the switch, panel lights feel hot to the touch and illumination is dim after repair work completed. Mjs.

Consumer stated that instrument panels were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99s14 regarding instrument light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management,dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair.

An electrical short under the dash caused headlights to become inoperable, also resulting in damages to the electrical wiring harness. Cause unknown.

Recall # 99v103000 lighting: switch:button:ring:head lights; owner received recall notice in July, 1999. Owner has brought vehicle to dealership twice for recall. Once in July, and again on December 4th. Dealer does not have parts to correct recall. Told consumer to come back in 6 weeks.

Recall # 99v103000 Ford/headlight switch/wiring harness; even though recall work was performed on August 24, 1999, the same problems still exists with the vehicle as stated in the recall. Dealer is refusing to correct.

Recall component failed prior to recall notice (99v-103), consumer is having trouble with refunding. Mjs.

Tail lamps and the instrument lights malfunctioned. There is a recall on the same failure. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it includes the same recall description, involving the headlight switch. . Recall 93v103000.

Recall 99v103000. Remedy did not correct problem. While vehicle was being driven instrument panel and tail lights completely went out. Please give any further details.