# NHTSA recall 99V103000

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: 99V103000
- Manufacturer's number: 99S14
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Reported: 1999\-05\-05
- Owners notified: 1999\-07\-16
- Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
- Units potentially affected: 605581

## What is wrong

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:  PASSENGER VEHICLES.     THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.


## What can happen

THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.


## Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 16, 1999. 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

- [1996 FORD CONTOUR](/makes/ford/contour/1996/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.
- [1997 FORD CONTOUR](/makes/ford/contour/1997/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.
- [1998 FORD CONTOUR](/makes/ford/contour/1998/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.
- [1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE](/makes/mercury/mystique/1996/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.
- [1997 MERCURY MYSTIQUE](/makes/mercury/mystique/1997/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.
- [1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE](/makes/mercury/mystique/1998/recalls.md). Built 1995\-04\-20 to 1998\-08\-24.

## Investigated as PE98063

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. 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.

- PE98063: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1998\-12\-03, closed 1999\-05\-10. HEADLIGHT SWITCH. EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/99V103000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/99V103000/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.

- [14775](/bulletins/619489.md), 2001-06-01, Service bulletin
- [BC3274970207](/bulletins/51872.md), 1997-07-17, 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/99V103000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/99V103000)

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