RoadVitals

1993 Ford Taurus Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
138
Latest Aug 26, 2013
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 1,557 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 138 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 138, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID
10537234
Incident
Jul 25, 2013
Mileage
77,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 6, 2012

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. FIDDLED DESPERATELY WITH THE ON/OFF SWITCH & GOT THEM TO COME BACK ON. WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES ... DISCOVERED TURNING OFF AND BACK ON FIXED. SUSPECTED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE HEAT. OVER THE TWO MONTH, RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. ALSO FOUND THAT USUALLY PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SWITCH ITSELF AND JIGGLING WOULD BRING THEM BACK, AND DISCOVERED I COULD HOLD THE HIGH BEAMS ON. FINALLY SEARCHED HERE AND FOUND 98V009000, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER ... BUT GAVE THEM RECALL 98S01 (FOUND ELSEWHERE WHEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART WHEN I HAD DECIDED THAT IT MOST LIKELY WAS IN THE SWITCH). *TR

NHTSA ID
10483504
Incident
Sep 6, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 24, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V009000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 192,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID
10204003
Incident
Sep 3, 2007
Mileage
192,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE RECEIVEDE RECALL REGARDING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO DIM FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE, BUT FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10188946
Incident
Sep 5, 2002
Mileage
70,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2004

HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY EVERY TWENTY MINUTES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057930
Mileage
54,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 4, 2004

NHTSA RECALL 98V009000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS. THIS RECALL FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057537
Incident
Feb 4, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 21, 2004

THERE MAY BE A POTENTIAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE LIGHT SWITCH IN THE CONSUMER'S 1993 FORD TAURUS. *PH THE PART WOULD BECOME SO HOT THAT IT WOULD MELT IN THE DASHBOARD, AS THE SWITCH STARTED TO GO BAD, THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10057321
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 7, 2003

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER AS STATED IN NHTSA RECALL 98V009000. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10046529
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 7, 2003

IMPROPER SEAL ON HEADLIGHTS LEADS TO A PREMATURE AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS BUT IT DOESN'T HELP. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE HIGH COST OF PERIODICALLY REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS IMPRACTICAL AS THE CAR AGES. I HAVE CONFIRMED THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. IN MY OPINION, DRIVING THIS CAR AT NIGHT ENTAILS A HAZARD RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS SO I AVOID DOING SO WHENEVER POSSIBLE, BUT I CAN'T ALWAYS DO SO. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045636
Incident
Nov 6, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2003

AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. RECALL # 98 V 009 000 *JB

NHTSA ID
10014654
Incident
Mar 23, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 6, 2003

CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND FOR A HEADLAMP SWITCH, WHICH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10009278
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 9, 2002

THIS VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V009000). THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED 15 TIMES AND STILL HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO REPLACE THIS RECALLED PART. WILL CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY NEXT. DT

NHTSA ID
770650
Incident
Sep 26, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 21, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE 50MPH THE HEAD LIGHTS GOES OFF AND ON WITH OUT WARNING. TS

NHTSA ID
8021264
Incident
Oct 11, 2002
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 25, 2002

HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THEN CAME BACK ON. RECALL WAS DONE 2 YEARS AGO, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH.*JB CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX WAS REPLACED, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT WORKED FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS.*JB

NHTSA ID
8014779
Incident
Jul 5, 2002
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+5 more
Filed Jun 3, 2002

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED AGAIN. *AK CONSUMER HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THE PAN PLUG LEFT UNDONE CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE OIL, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OVER TORQUE BOLTS WHICH BURSTED AROUND THE CORE, THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. CONSUMER HAS LOST TRUST IN THE DEALERSHIP. HEAD LIGHTS FAILED, LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE WIPERS WERE NOISY, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WIPER MOTOR. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING, THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT ON TURNS AND WHEN BACKING UP. THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR, SHRATER VALVE AND A/C REFRIGERANT WAS REPLACED. THE KEY SWITCH FAILED. THE FAULTY ANTENNA MOTOR FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ID
8010926
Incident
Sep 3, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 12, 2002

HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND OFF FIRST TIME, AND SECOND TIME HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V025000. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007501
Incident
Dec 16, 1996
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2002

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ONE HOUR WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS ON, THEY STARTED TO GO OFF AND COME BACK ON. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID BASED ON VIN # VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *YH

NHTSA ID
564455
Incident
Dec 15, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 5, 2002

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS,ORGINAL PART OK; REVISED DESIGN PART FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ID
757793
Incident
Jan 16, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 15, 2001

PLEASE HELP ME ON THIS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
754592
Incident
Nov 13, 2001
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 3, 2001

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WARNING SIGNAL SOUNDS EVEN WHEN NO LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON AND KEYS ARE OUT OF IGNITION, LEADING TO THE THOUGHT OF A SHORT IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ID
754041
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 24, 2001

VEHICLE PARKED. WAS TRYING TO JUMP START VEHICLE WITH A JUMPER KIT FROM K MART WHEN BATTERY EXPLODED IN OWNER'S FACE. CRACKED BATTERY HOUSING.*AK THE VEHICLE HEAD LITHTS BLINK OFF. *YD

NHTSA ID
896769
Incident
Sep 20, 2001
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jun 29, 2001

I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE RECALL WAS ON THE 3.8L ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS, NOT 3.0L. THIS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN POWER AND ACCELERATION DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM IS BEING EXPERIENCED WITH HEADLIGHTS NOT STAYING ON. AGAIN FORD SAYS MY CAR DOES NOT MEET THIS RECALL NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA ID
747568
Incident
Jun 25, 2001
BrakesElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 23, 2001

BATTERY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START. NLM

NHTSA ID
739815
Incident
Aug 11, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT, CAUSING POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 98V009000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S01 DUE TO VIN. IN ADDITION, PLUG HAS MELTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
877988
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 4, 2001

RECALL DATE IS NOT INCLUDING 09/92 MFG DATE OF MY VEHICLE. ID#98V009000. *AK

NHTSA ID
738800
Incident
Jul 15, 2000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .