NHTSA Complaint #10716603 — 2014 FORD EDGE

THE FORD EDGE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2014, AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA IN NORTHEASTERN PA. WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS "PROJECTION BEAM HEADLIGHTS" AND ON HIGH BEAM, THE LIGHT IS SO FOCUSED TO THE FRONT, THAT YOU LOSE SIGHT OF ANY ROAD YOU MAY BE TRYING TO TURN ONTO. YOU CAN VERY EASILY RUN OFF THE ROAD SINCE YOU LOOSE THE RELATIONSHIP OF WHERE YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE DARK ROAD. WITH THE LIGHTS ON LOW BEAM IT IS AS IF A BLACK SHADE COVERS THE TOP 2/3 OF THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD, TURNING OR NOT. IT IS BAD ENOUGH ON A SOMEWHAT LEVEL AREA AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN 10 YARDS AHEAD WHEN GOING DOWNHILL SO THAT IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS APPROACHING AND YOU CHANGE TO LOW BEAM TOO SOON, YOU CAN'T SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING STANDING IN IT BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FOG AND YOU TRY TO DRIVE WITH LOW BEAMS. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING, THEY "ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS" ( THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO CHANGE IN THE DARK). I HAVE SINCE TAKEN SEVERAL PEOPLE FOR A RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE THE HEADLIGHTS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY DESCRIPTION DOESN'T DO THE PROBLEM JUSTICE. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN PICTURES FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO SHOW TO ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN AT NIGHT. I HAD AFTERMARKET FOG LIGHTS INSTALLED THAT HELP SOMEWHAT BUT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THAT A NUMBER OF SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AT NIGHT ARE CAUSED BY THESE HEADLIGHTS. I DID CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS POLITELY TOLD "THIS IS THE WAY THE LIGHTS WORK". I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MORE OWNERS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS HAVEN'T COMPLAINED. *TR