NHTSA Complaint #11076946 — 2013 FORD ESCAPE

HID HEADLAMP SHUTTERS STICK IN HIGH BEAM POSITION IN COLD WEATHER. FORD ONLY SELLS COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, AS THE SOLENOID THAT CONTROLS THE SHUTTER IS SEALED INSIDE THE HOUSING AND NOT ACCESSIBLE. THE DESIGN DROPS THE SHUTTER WHEN THE SOLENOID IS ACTIVATED FOR HIGH BEAMS AND THE RETURN SPRING(?) IS APPARENTLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO COUNTERACT GRAVITY AND GET THE SHUTTER BACK TO THE RAISED LOW BEAM POSITION FOR PROPER LIGHT CUTOFF. THE RESULT IS THAT HIGH BEAMS STAY ON AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. FORD HAS SO FAR REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE ISSUE AND EXPECTS THE CUSTOMER TO COUGH UP $1300 LIST PRICE PLUS LABOR PER HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED.