144 of the
559 complaints about the 1993 Ford Thunderbird are about the
lighting — 26% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
116,000 miles.
THIS IS THE RECALL. MY CAR DID EXACTLY THIS. MY CAR IS A 93 THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE WITH FACTORY FOG LIGHTS AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR IS BURNT AND NEEDS REPLACED. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER FLICKERING. RECALLS FOR THE 1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD ELECTRICAL & LIGHTS: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V275000 DATES MANUFACTURED: 06/1991 TO 09/1993 NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 164,731 MODEL YEARS AFFECTED: 1992, 1993 DATE OWNER NOTIFIED: 11/1999 DEFECT SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. CONSEQUENCE SUMMARY: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. CORRECTIVE SUMMARY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED. RECALL NOTES: FORD RECALL NO. 99S30.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 15, 1999. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
NHTSA complaint #10327593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1993 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH HEADLIGHTS THAT FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. FAILURE STARTS WITH FLICKERING AND BLINKING CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10245758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V275000 CONCERNING THE HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN LATE 1997, AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT THE HER EXPENSE. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED A SECOND TIME THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*AK UPDATED 01/11/06.
NHTSA complaint #10144017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wolcottville, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER STATES IT IS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL NUMBER 99V275000/HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10107160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesNewton, WV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. DEALER STATED THEATHEAD LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10081373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE SIGNAL LIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, THEN SMOKE CLEARED, BUT THE DRIVER HAD TO HOLD THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10061601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manito, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10027212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,786 milesTwentynine Palms, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE HEAD LAMPS FLICKERED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (99S30). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACED SWITCH. *MR *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marysville, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE HEADLIGHT WILL GO OFF AND THE FOG LIGHT WILL STAY ON. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.TS
NHTSA complaint #8023011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM, HIGH AND LOW BEAMS GO OUT. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8017249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marysville, CA2 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMERS VEHICLE ALSO HAD A RECALL ON LIGHT SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #563925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cassopolis, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT CONSUMERS HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS COULD CATCH FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND PARKED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clear Spring, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
RECALL 99V275000; HEADLIGHTS WOULD STILL BLINK OUT AFTER RECALL WAS SERVICED. CURRENTLY, HEADLIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY GONE OUT.*AK CONSUMER HAD TO REPAIR TWICE PRIOR TO RECALL AND THREE TIMES SINCE HAVING THE RECALL DONE.
NHTSA complaint #8005052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westport, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
I RECEIVED A RECALL TO NOTIFY ME OF THE PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLAMP SWITCH THIS CAUSED MY HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I THEN WENT TO RODMAN FORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THE HEADLIGHTS SEEMED TO WORK FINE UNTIL ONE YEAR WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONE YEAR LATER. WHEN I CALLED RODMAN TO RECTIFY THE SECOND DEFECTIVE HEADLAMP SWITCH THEY REFUSED DUE TO A WARRANTY ON THEIR REPLACEMENT PARTS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND FAULTY PART (HEADLAMP SWITCH) AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE RECALL, SINCE THE SECOND ONE LASTED LESS TIME THAN THE FIRST HEADLAMP SWITCH. WHILE I CAN UNDERSTAND WARRANTY LIMITATIONS ON OTHER PARTS, THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THIS PART YEARLY. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SWITCH THAT THE FORD MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO. I HAVE RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM FORD. THIS COMPANY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HANDLE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES IN SUCH A POOR MANNER. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE TO UNAWARE CONSUMERS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE FURTHER ACTION TAKEN ON THIS MATTER. THANK YOU CARRIE CALLAHAN.
NHTSA complaint #758743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lago Vista, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
1. HEADLIGHTS - REGULAR BEAMS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED ON BOTH SIDES FOLLOWING INTERMITTENT FLICKERING, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF NORMAL HIGH BEAMS. ONLY RECOURSE IS TO USE 'PASS & GO' HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (E9SZ-13K359-D) 4 TIMES DURING 5-YR PERIOD, PLUS SCORCHED/MELTED PLUG CONNECTOR 3 TIMES. 2. HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP - BOTH SOCKETS SCORCHED/MELTED & BULBS EXTINGUISHED; REPLACED 3 TIMES DURING SAME PERIOD. QUESTION: ARE THESE RELATED TO EACH OTHER OR TO RECALL# 99V275000 ?
NHTSA complaint #758505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lago Vista, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1. HEADLIGHTS - REGULAR BEAMS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED ON BOTH SIDES FOLLOWING INTERMITTENT FLICKERING, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF NORMAL HIGH BEAMS. ONLY RECOURSE IS TO USE 'PASS & GO' HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (E9SZ-13K359-D) 4 TIMES DURING 5-YR PERIOD, PLUS SCORCHED/MELTED PLUG CONNECTOR 3 TIMES. 2. HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP - BOTH SOCKETS SCORCHED/MELTED & BULBS EXTINGUISHED; REPLACED 3 TIMES DURING SAME PERIOD. QUESTION: ARE THESE RELATED TO EACH OTHER OR TO RECALL# 99V275000 ?
NHTSA complaint #758505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lago Vista, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
1. HEADLIGHTS - REGULAR BEAMS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED ON BOTH SIDES FOLLOWING INTERMITTENT FLICKERING, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF NORMAL HIGH BEAMS. ONLY RECOURSE IS TO USE 'PASS & GO' HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (E9SZ-13K359-D) 4 TIMES DURING 5-YR PERIOD, PLUS SCORCHED/MELTED PLUG CONNECTOR 3 TIMES. 2. HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP - BOTH SOCKETS SCORCHED/MELTED & BULBS EXTINGUISHED; REPLACED 3 TIMES DURING SAME PERIOD. QUESTION: ARE THESE RELATED TO EACH OTHER OR TO RECALL# 99V275000 ?
NHTSA complaint #758505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL NOTICE 99S30 WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON 12/27/1999 AT VARSITY FORD TO REPAIR FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH POSSIBILITY. FAILURE OCCURRED LAST WEEK AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN. THE FORD FIX IN 1999 DID NOT WORK AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A CRITICAL TIME OF DRIVING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASROPHE AND I WANT FORD TO FIX THIS PERMANENTLY AND COVER THE COST OF MY REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #757964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, FORD RECALL 99S30 COMPLIED TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, DEALER SAYS CURRENT FAILURE IS NOT RECALL RELATED. *JG
NHTSA complaint #8003882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, FORD RECALL 99S30 COMPLIED TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, DEALER SAYS CURRENT FAILURE IS NOT RECALL RELATED. *JG
NHTSA complaint #8003882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Segundo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLAMPS ARE DISCOLORED DUE TO MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION DECREASING THE HEADLAMP EFFECTIVENESS AND NIGHT VISION, FOG LAMP SWITCH MELTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #542235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stow, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
99 V 275 000/ HEADLIGHT: SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS. LIGHT SWITCH WIRING AND CONNECTOR WERE BURNING AND MELTING MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WA S NO SUCH RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #8000663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Dorado Springs, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLAMP SWITCH THAT HAD A RECALL ON IT HAS WENT OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME.
NHTSA complaint #754174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL 99V275000 ON 10 FEBRUARY, 2000. PART FAILED AGAIN ON 1 OCTOBER, 2001.
NHTSA complaint #897873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flagstaff, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LAMP COVERS TURNED YELLOW. AS TIME HAS PASS HEADLIGHTS GAVE POOR VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAD TO TRAVEL WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS TO GAIN VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.