The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ford Taurus Recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in February 2001 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly. The list identifies the make and model of the vehicle or equipment involved, with a brief description of the safety problem. NHTSA said it is publicizing the recalls to alert consumers about safety problems and encourages them to take action. Under federal law, safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 72 percent of the owners of vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed. NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all purchasers, owners and dealers when a safety defect or noncompliance with federal safety standards is found. The agency urges owners to wait until they receive notification from the manufacturer before contacting their dealers to schedule the repair work. Not all vehicles of a particular make and model may be subject to the recall. Consumers can get up-to-the-minute information on safety recall campaigns, or information on the recall history of a particular make and model of car, truck, motorcycle, or child safety seat, by calling the agency toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Taurus Years: 2000-2001

Number Involved: 28,000

Dates of Manufacture: March - December 2000

Noncompliance: On those passenger vehicles with factory or dealer-installed deck lid spoilers with LED center high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSL), 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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, ALamps, 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. Vehicles produced with spoilers were manufactured from March 1 through Oct. 31, 2000; and vehicles with spoilers installed by dealers were manufactured from Jan. 1 through Dec. 30, 2000. Remedy: 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. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification was to begin on March 19, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V048/Ford Recall No. 01S06]