1995 Mercury Sable: headlights failing or too dim

9 of the 350 complaints about the 1995 Mercury Sable describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2008
1
2004
1
2002
5
2001
4
2000
8
1999
2
1998
5
1997
2
1996
8
1995
9
1994
21
1993
58
1992
8
1991
2
1990
3

What owners say

Filed Apr 1, 2002 · Lights, Suspension · NY

Vehicle was in for a oil change. Consumer noticed high beams were not shining right distance. Also, dealer noticed that both front coil springs were broken. Please provide any further information. Consumer felt both coil springs should not have broken at the same time. Feels its a manufacturer's defect.

Filed Jul 21, 2000 · Electrical · NY

I had been noticing a strange burning smell in the car for some time - but couldn't place its source. I found the smell getting stronger over time, and stronger when the headlights were on. Then I noticed that the dash area surrounding the headlight switch was warm to the touch. I pulled off the headlight switch knob, and the switch shaft was burning - too hot to touch. I obtained a new headlight switch and proceeded to dissaemble the dash. I found the back end (plastic connector receptable body) of the switch totally melted, and some of the wires had their insulation melted clear off, down to bare copper. Luckily none of the wires were touching in the bare areas. The male end of the harness (that plugs into the switch) was melted into the switch body. I had to buy a new replacement connector, splice it in and make up some new wires, and then install the new switch. The auto parts stores say that although ford doesn't have the connector + pigtail assembly available as a dealer item, it is an aftermarket item since "they burn up so often." had I not intervened when I did, I could have had a severe in-dash fire, plus lost my lights at night. My lights never stopped working, although the burning smell was evident. Mercury customer assistance advised no prior reports of this type.

Filed May 16, 2000 · Lights · NY · fire

I had to replace the headlight switch twice since I owned the car (2 years). The switch overheats and actually burns/chars the metal contacts and melts the plug. It gets very hot to touch and the headlight and/or parking lights will shut off and turn on intermittently. I have spoken to other owners of the taurus/sable and they have reported the same problem. It cost me $125 each time to replace it (parts and labor), but I am worried about the possible fire that could occur.

Filed Jan 16, 2000 · Electrical · OH

Window wiper/high beam/turn signal switch is faulty causing wipers to not park in proper position also intermittent headlight problems

Filed Nov 1, 1999 · Electrical · VA · fire

Sitting in the vehicle smelled something burning. Opened the door to see where it was burning. Turned on headlight switch and a fire broke out on the dashboard.

Filed Jul 6, 1999 · Lights · NY

Headlight switch malfunctioned, causing dash panel lights to go off. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed May 13, 1999 · Lights · NH

Headlamp switch shorted and melted. The dealer repaired vehicle. Ford has issued a recall on the headlights, and this vehicle was not included in the recall.*ak

Filed Feb 26, 1999 · Lights · NH

Headlights go all the way across the front bumper. When driving in snowy weather, consumer has to stop and wipe the snow to clear the headlights. Proved a safety defect to the owner. Dealer not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.

Filed Oct 26, 1998 · Lights · MI

When consumer took vehicle to get odometer fixed, the mechanic noticed that the headlamp switch and connecter was melted. If the problem had remained unsolved, the mechanic stated that the headlights would have started blinking on and off and would have eventually went out. The manufacturer has been contacted.