2000 Ford Taurus Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2000 Ford Taurus, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “brake switch” (25% of reports).
- 87exterior lighting complaints
- 60,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 36%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake switch: mentioned in 22 of 87 complaints (25%)
- Stop lamp: mentioned in 5 of 87 complaints (6%)
- Shift park: mentioned in 5 of 87 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 37 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 87 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Ford Taurus exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Taurus | 1 | 6% | 35,600 |
| 2018 Taurus | 1 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2017 Taurus | 4 | 9% | 40,000 |
| 2016 Taurus | 1 | 1% | 2,000 |
| 2015 Taurus | 4 | 1% | 39,750 |
| 2014 Taurus | 13 | 6% | 62,250 |
| 2013 Taurus | 9 | 2% | 12,161 |
| 2012 Taurus | 12 | 15% | 6,500 |
| 2011 Taurus | 14 | 7% | 69,000 |
| 2010 Taurus | 2 | 1% | 1,885 |
| 2009 Taurus | 1 | 2% | 1,800 |
| 2008 Taurus | 4 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2007 Taurus | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2006 Taurus | 6 | 2% | 98,500 |
| 2005 Taurus | 4 | 1% | 121,000 |
| 2004 Taurus | 8 | 2% | 121,000 |
| 2003 Taurus | 46 | 4% | 98,488 |
| 2002 Taurus | 24 | 2% | 104,000 |
| 2001 Taurus | 29 | 3% | 99,000 |
| 2000 Taurus | 87 | 7% | 60,000 |
| 1999 Taurus | 18 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 1998 Taurus | 14 | 3% | 121,828 |
| 1997 Taurus | 15 | 2% | 59,368 |
| 1996 Taurus | 27 | 3% | 44,500 |
| 1995 Taurus | 25 | 2% | 105,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:tail lights:switch
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:headlights:switch
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:back up lights
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford taurus. The contact stated that the headlights failed to shut off, which required the battery cable to be disconnected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact felt that the vehicle was unsafe to drive in the event that the day time running lamps…
Started to smell burned wires in car. Look under dash and smoke and wires where burned. Brake lights dont work. Reading online and other issue with this car and people where having same issue. When i called dealer they said theres nothing they can do because they are no more recalls on that. But i…
The brake lights not actuate and not be able the shift out of park is. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2000 Ford Tauruss have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2000 Ford Taurus (7% of the 1,195 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Ford Taurus exterior lighting?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2000 Ford Taurus?
The most frequent phrase is “brake switch”, in 22 of 87 complaints, followed by “stop lamp” (5).
Other 2000 Ford Taurus problems
See all 2000 Ford Taurus problems or exterior lighting problems across all Taurus years.