[mattman3891]

Found this on CNN/Money while in my Flash Multimedia Class, seems interesting, probably call my dad to see if my car needs to go in for it.


LINK

-Matt

QUOTE

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. has recalled more than 1.3 million Taurus and Sable sedans in two separate actions to fix a faulty brake light and replace an air filter that can catch fire, the automaker said in letters to safety authorities released Wednesday.

Ford, the second-largest U.S. automaker, said one of the recalls includes about 938,789 Taurus and Sable cars for the 2000 to 2003 model years to replace the stop lamp switch and associated wiring. The second recall of about 399,926 Taurus and Sable cars from the 2003 model year is to replace the air filters.
 
The brake light problem could cause the brake lights to fail to come on or to stay on continuously, according to information on the National Highway Traffic Administration's Web site. If the brake light won't come on, the driver will not be able to shift out of park. If it says on all the time, the driver will not be able to use cruise control and the battery may be drained.

On some vehicles, the paper air filter could smolder and burn, resulting a fire under the hood, according to NHTSA's Web site. This problem could also cause damage to the car's air induction system. [/b]

 

[Troper8]

That's ok, I never use my brakes anyway, I just honk alot

 

[3-fords1000]

I had my '03 at the dealer today and they just called and said there was a recall on the filter and that it is taken care of. They didn't however mention the brake light. Is that only for sedans or does it cover wagons as well?

 

[Guest]

yay, no problems for my gen 3

 

[dant98]

Actually, I had this brake problem fixed in my car a year or two ago. Apparently the brake switches, whic are located on the brake petal shafts themselves. The brake can eather end up with the wires snapped (resulting in the non-functoinal brake lights) or, the grease from the brake pedal joint can get on the switch and cause it to trip (constand brake light on - no cruise control). Mine has been working since the second time they fixed it. I think this is an old recall for the brake though. I haven't heard anything about the air filter, though I'm using a K&N anyway, so don't think it would really affect me.

-Dan

 

[joe5.0]

Yep this happend to mine about 6 months ago. Bought a new switch for $20 and all is well. Was annoying having to fvck with the switch to shift out of park though. <_<

 

[Zack]

This current recall applies to previously recalled 2000 models too. Apparently, the first repair didn't fix the problem.

 

[Guest]

HAHAHA OWNED!!!

Now I need to wait for them to do a recall on windstar intake gaskets so i can get my $950 back. <_<

 

[whtcar]

Is this the same light that comes on when you put on the e-brake? I ask b/c every once in a while that light will pop on, but all I do is pull the release and boom light goes off.

 

[Guest]

What vehicles does this apply to exactly? How can I find out? I couldn't get to the article for some reason.

 

[Damon]

Originally posted by jason8225@Mar 10 2004, 07:04 PM
What vehicles does this apply to exactly? How can I find out? I couldn't get to the article for some reason.

Its already happened to my car once.

Its the brake lights, not the one on the cluster, but the actual rear lights and the light on the upper deck. They stay on no matter what.

I ended up taking the fuse out that controlled the lights, yet it still drained my battery. Had to get it towed to the dealer.

Those bastards charged me 50 bucks for it too, part of my esp.

Time to raise a stink and get the money back

-Damon

 

[Guest]

What if my brake light is in the spoiler?

 

[Zack]

More explicit article:

QUOTE

Ford recalling more than 1.2 million Taurus, Sable sedans

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 1.2 million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans because of problems with their brake lights and air filters, the company said Wednesday.

Ford is recalling 938,789 Taurus and Sable sedans from the 2000-2003 model years because their brake lights can malfunction. The defect has caused at least two accidents and one injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ford is recalling an additional 281,926 Sable and Taurus sedans from the 2003 model year because the air filter paper in the engine can smolder or burn. Ford spokesman Glenn Ray said a supplier put the wrong chemical on the filter paper.

Ray said 118,000 vehicles made early in the 2003 model year will get both repairs. Vehicles made later in the 2003 model year already have a new brake light system, so they will only need to have the air filter papers replaced.

Ford recalled 157,000 Taurus and the Sable sedans in 2000 for the same brake light defect. Ray said the repair didn't solve the problem, so the brake lights will now be replaced.

Ray said 2004 models of the Taurus and Sable have a new brake light system. Models made prior to 2000 also had a different system and aren't affected in the recall.

Ford was expected to begin notifying customers of the recall on Wednesday.[/b]

In short, the recall covers any qualified 2000-early 2003 Taurus/Sables sedans and wagons. They will replace the brake light switch, not the brake light. Wait for the notice in mail or call your dealer for more info.

 

[qwertz9586]

Originally posted by whtcar@Mar 10 2004, 03:01 PM
Is this the same light that comes on when you put on the e-brake? I ask b/c every once in a while that light will pop on, but all I do is pull the release and boom light goes off.

It's not the same as the other problem. Your parking brake switch is dirty. Clean it with a paper towel and spray some WD-40 on it.

 

[00Taurus]

Originally posted by jason8225@Mar 10 2004, 06:36 PM
What if my brake light is in the spoiler?

They all are wired into the same switch via the wiring harness.......