The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the driver’s-side headlight was flickering while the vehicle was stopped, and the headlight remained illuminated while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that water was entering the headlight housing, causing the bulb to fail. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the headlight housings and the bulbs were replaced, and the pigtail wiring on the driver's side was also replaced. The mechanic determined that the wire was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the entire module needs to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
Ford Taurus headlights problems
338 of the 16,903 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 338
- worst model year
- 1993
- typical repair cost reported
- $475
- typical mileage
- 71,300
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 15Wipers 13Stalling 8Warning lights 4Won't start 3Hesitation 3Fuel pump 3Fire or smoke 3
What owners say
Driving down the road both headlights went out while driving. Not park lights just headlights. Had to drive all the way home with no headlights. Called dealership they said my VIN didnot have a recall. It was some 2015 but not mine. These headlights are faulty. My 2015 work cruiser is doing the exact same thing which is a ford explorer. I never had a car older fords and others that have faulty headlights. This is a major issue. I can see one headlight but two.
An electrical or computer component failed, frequently causing my rear back up camera to go out. I couldn't tell that both of my headlights to stop functioning at the same time (because all of my interior lighting adjustments were still functioning, and because I was in a well light area initially) until I was on the highway, after dark, with my child in the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that water entered through the sunroof, causing damage to the overhead light switches. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a warped sunroof window. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
03/16/2021 Was the purchase date. The battery was pretty much dead when we took it in for its first oil change (about a month after purchase), they may still have record of it. The check engine light has been on since June. The front head light wiring was faulty, not sure if the person has any record of it. But I can ask that finally got fixed in December. The check engine light was only read at the auto store. Unfortunately due to me losing my job, the cobuyer (my fiancé) has been responsible for all bills and we can’t afford to have it looked at in depth. We purchased a limited warranty when we got the car, but every time we contacted them. They were rude and very put off. They made it seem like we were the issue and not the car. And they NEVER let us bring it in to have it looked at. We are paying almost $475 for a car that has had major problems since purchasing it.
Tl* the contact owns 2019 ford taurus. The contact stated while driving at night or in low light conditions, the illumination of the headlights were inadequate and created a visibility hazard. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer fred beans ford of langhorne (1939 lincoln hwy, langhorne, pa 19047) who inspected the vehicle but found no failure with the vehicle. The dealer offered to replace the headlight bulbs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,600.
Since I've owned the car the transmission on the dash has been off meaning ... To put it in drive it has to say 1 st. On the dash reverse is where drive is or d. ... Yesterday I came to a stop sign and there was a huge thunk and I could not drive the car had froze then after messing with the shift arm it went thunk again and I got it home but cant drive any farther ..I also have had electronic problems since I got it one dash lights inside wont work next day blinker next day radio next day head lights .... And the front end thunks when driving and is not connected to the road ...it feels
The headlights have had condensation inside for several months. With torrential rains two weeks ago, the passenger side headlight took on an inch and a half of water inside the cover, and the driver side had increased condensation to obscure the whole cover. The car is commonly parked outside my apartment (urban area) when not in use. Dates are approximate, and I've put the car in the aaa shop to get the headlights replaced (big expense, as the car's old enough to vote!)
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights failed to operate properly and illuminate the roadway ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to germain ford of columbus (7250 sawmill rd, columbus, oh 43235) where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic unable to duplicate the failure. The headlights were repaired however, the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that he was only able to see approximately 10 to 15 feet ahead of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was driven to the residence using the high beam headlights. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 118,136.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.
- Risk
- This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.
Recall number 14V285000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
- Risk
- In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V106000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. If the grease from the adjustable pedal assembly enters the stop lamp switch, it can contaminate the contacts leading to carbon build up, and potentially, a short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit could lead to either the brake lamps staying on, or to a loss of brake lamp function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch and wipe down the adjustable pedal assembly to remove excess grease. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. 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.
Recall number 01V078000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. Due to the use of incorrect material by a supplier, the headlamp switch knob can fracture and separate from the headlamp switch.
- Risk
- This would cause difficulty for the driver to activate the headlamps, which could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the headlamp switch knob. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. 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.
Recall number 01V075000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: back up lights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger sedans with factory or dealer-installed deck lid spoilers with LED center high mounted stop lamps (chmsl). Vehicles produced with spoilers were manufactured from march 1 through october 31, 2000; and vehicles with spoilers installed by dealers were manufactured from january 1 thorough december 30, 2000. With the ignition switch in the start or run positions and the hazard warning lights operating, the chmsl can illuminate (at reduced intensity) even though the service brakes have not been applied. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." also, in some cases the vehicle brake-shift interlock would not function properly, allowing the shift lever to be moved from park without applying the brake.
- Risk
- Under the requirements of the standard, the chmsl shall be activated only upon appplication of the service brakes. Also, the vehicle could roll increasing the risk of a crash, if the shift lever can be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a jumper/resistor assembly at the spoiler that provides an electrical resistor to ground and corrects the chmsl and brake-shift interlock conditions. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. 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.
Recall number 01V048000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
- Remedy
- Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Loss of headlights during vehicle operation can affect a driver's ability to navigate the roadway and reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a headlight switch that incorporates a cricuit breaker of revised design and installation of a wiring harness connector and wiring, if needed.
Recall number 98V009000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- An incorrect transistor may cause autolamp system light sensor module malfunction.
- Risk
- Headlamps could turn off while vehicle is being driven orremain on after vehicle is parked. Loss of headlights while driving at nightcould be hazardous to the driver and other trafific.
- Remedy
- Replace light sensor modules.
Recall number 89V171000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Taurus headlights
Which Ford Taurus years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (119 complaints), 1994 (42 complaints) and 2000 (23 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Ford Taurus?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $475 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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