2002 Ford Taurus: headlights failing or too dim

Filed May 2, 2015 · Lights · 85,000 miles · MO

Traveling on darkened road with automatic headlamps engaged at night. Headlights suddenly cut off, and had to change selector switch to manual head lights. This has happened several times.. I had the light sensor replaced but no change. After doing some research, the cause is most likely the automatic headlamp relay, which is not replaceable, as it is buried behind the fuse box, and excessive cost (>$300) to replace. I feel ford should issue a recall, because it appears this is a common problem with ford vehicles. Apparently the relay used to energize the headlights in "automatic " mode is not able to handle the current, and I suspect, burns out and becomes unable to maintain the electrical circuit. The automatic headlight feature, (when it works) is a great safety advancement, as many drivers fail to turn on headlights at dusk, therefore the automatic on feature greatly improves visibility of oncoming vehicles at dusk and early evening. Since it is not predicable when the lights will fail, many people will continue to use the automatic on/off feature, preferring to switch to manual on/of only when automatic fails. But this could be any time at free way speeds, and is therefore a hazardous condition that the manufacturer should be responsible for rectifying, as it momentarily distracts the driver. Thank you for listening! [xxx] systems and safety engineer progress rail services, albertville, alabama a division of caterpillar information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 17, 2010 · Airbags · 80,842 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

On 22 sep 10 my wife hit a parked truck in a 2002 ford taurus. Her car hit the right front at about 35 MPH and the airbag didn't deploy. She suffered a non-displaced fracture of the sternum as a result of the accident. The car apparently went under the truck's bumper. The right headlight, hood, windshield and right front side were damaged. The car was totaled as a result of the accident.

Filed Jul 29, 2008 · Electrical · 93,237 miles · TX

Ford electrical systems switching devices continue to be under rated which results in random voltage drops and engine stalls. The underrated switching device contacts overheat which results in high resistance which results in higher heat with results in high resistance until eventually the results drops voltages below what is required to operate the downstream load. These down stream load typically are the head lights and components associated with supplying power to the spark plugs. Once the downstream device turn off from low voltage the switching device cools and resupplies the downstream load with enough voltage an current to reactive the device in varying amounts of time ranging from instantaneously to sever minutes. I fist noticed the problem years ago in a 1987 mustang and then saw it again tonight in a 2002 taurus driven by my wife. Until the failed switching device is replaced the frequency of fails and the duration will continue to increase. This is clearly a materials failure and needs to be addressed. This has had to have resulted in engine failure which has resulted in crashes and / or deaths if the problem has not been resolved since I first noticed in the 1987 mustang.

Filed Aug 21, 2002 · Lights · IA

While applying high beam light switch electrical system shut down vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed Apr 22, 2002 · Lights · WV

High beam lights are too dim when driving at night. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak consumer was told by dealer that the vehicle came from the factory with poor high beam lights, the manager tested the high beams with a light meter and barely got a reading.