# NHTSA recall 98V009000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 98V009000
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Reported: 1998\-01\-21
- Owners notified: 1998\-04\-15
- Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Units potentially affected: 506000

## What is wrong

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:  PASSENGER VEHICLES.  THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.  THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.


## What can happen

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE,  INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.


## Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 15, 1998. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-888\-DASH\-2\-DOT \(1\-888\-327\-4236\).


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1993 FORD TAURUS](/makes/ford/taurus/1993/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.
- [1994 FORD TAURUS](/makes/ford/taurus/1994/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.
- [1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL](/makes/lincoln/continental/1993/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.
- [1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL](/makes/lincoln/continental/1994/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.
- [1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII](/makes/lincoln/mark/1993/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30. Listed as a series or trim of this model.
- [1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII](/makes/lincoln/mark/1994/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30. Listed as a series or trim of this model.
- [1993 MERCURY SABLE](/makes/mercury/sable/1993/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.
- [1994 MERCURY SABLE](/makes/mercury/sable/1994/recalls.md). Built 1992\-12\-01 to 1993\-09\-30.

## Investigated as EA96019 and RQ98015

This recall followed 2 NHTSA investigations. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- EA96019: Engineering analysis, opened 1996\-07\-31, closed 1998\-01\-26. HEADLIGHT FAILURE. EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
- RQ98015: Recall query, opened 1998\-09\-29, closed 1999\-01\-22. HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/98V009000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/98V009000/investigations)

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [ONP/95B62](/bulletins/3020210.md), 1995-11-01, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/98V009000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/98V009000)

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