NHTSA Complaint #10051148 — 2000 FORD TAURUS

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN 53,000 MILES ON MY 2000 FORD TAURUS. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2001, I PAID TO REPLACE IT IN 2002 AND 2003 AS THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REAPAIR CAN ONLY BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ONE TIME. WHEN IT FAILS, THE LIGHTS EITHER STAY ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY OR THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EITHER WAY, IT CREATES AN EXTREME HAZARD AS TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU DOES NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE STOPPING OR NOT. FORD'S RECALL WAS ESTIMATED TO AFFECT ABOUT 179,000 VEHICLES. IF EACH NEEDS A $17.47 SWITCH EACH YEARS AS MINE HAS AND THOSE VEHICLES STAY IN SERVICE FOR TEN YEARS, THAT IS A TIDY 30 MILLION DOLLAR PROFIT FOR FORD. LET'S JUST HOPE NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT. FORD'S CONSUMER PHONE LINE AND DEALERSHIP WERE OF NO HELP. I HAVE SENT A FORMAL LETTER TO FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, BUT HOLD OUT LITTLE HOPE.*AK