Ford Taurus Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 370 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Taurus across 25 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (87). The words owners use most often: “brake switch” (14% of reports).
- 370exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- $360typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%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 51 of 370 complaints (14%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Ford Taurus at $360, and half of them between $240 and $410.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2016), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 195 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 370 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 3 an injury.
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 (6)
Exterior lighting
Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
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
Model years: 2000, 2001
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
Model years: 2000
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
Model years: 2000, 2001
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.
Exterior lighting:headlights
Model years: 1997, 1998
Problem: 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.
Fix: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
No heat gauge, oil pressure gauge on vehicle. Blend door issue, one side blows hot, other cold. Radio not working. Weird noise in dash by ignition. Ignition sticks when trying to start car, keeps turning over. Dimmer switch doesn't work. Car can be tracked by unknown people, without permission.
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…
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)…
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that upon being pulled over by local police, he became aware that his rear license plate lamp was out. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard wind noise in the interior of the vehicle. After a visual…
This vehicle was sold to me with a not for sale in states requiring California emissions, no governor on the vehicle as well faulty lighting mechanisms. The fuel pump is fluctuating and the car is a danger to myself and those around me. I consulted with a independent licensed mechanic who confirmed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Tauruss have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 370 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Ford Taurus. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Taurus exterior lighting?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Ford Taurus?
Owners report a typical cost of $360 (half paid between $240 and $410), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Ford Taurus?
The most frequent phrase is “brake switch”, in 51 of 370 complaints.
Other Ford Taurus problems
- Suspension problems (2,734)
- Power Train problems (1,895)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,800)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,312)
- Steering problems (995)
- Electrical System problems (888)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (683)
- Visibility problems (643)
See all Ford Taurus problems.