Issue ID | 620383 |
Internal NHTSA # | 10183370 |
Manufacurer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
Brand | MERCURY |
Model | COUGAR |
Model Year | 1997 |
File date | 22/02/07 |
Component | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | Ford headlights: cloudy lenses: ford made autos have plastic lenses/headlights that cloud up over time, within 5 years to 10 years, that limit effectiveness of the headlights at night. I personally have hit curbs and narrowly missed pedestrians etc due to inability to see them at night due to low headlight brightness. The ford/mercury dealer informs me that to replace the fogged lenses, i will have to pay him $350. 00 per headlight for a whole new assembly. Lenses are not sold separately, he says. Cannot be cleaned, he says. Why, why, why do you let ford get by with selling cars that have these defective, prone to failure headlight lenses? People can't see where they are going at night! Doesn't that concern you? Look through any parking lot, see the ford products with darkened, ruined lenses. These are accidents waiting to happen to 1000's of drivers who can't afford $350 per headlight every 5 years or so! Ford should recall these cars and/or offer reasonable cost replacements. $350 per lens is not reasonable! *nm |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | SAN ANTONIO, TX |
VIN pattern | 1MELM62W5VHXXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | |
No. of fatalities | |
Date of purchase | 01/10/97 |
Was original owner? | Y |
Anti-lock brakes | N |
Cruise control | N |
Number of cylinders | 8 |
Drive train type | RWD |
Transmission type | AUTO |
Vehicle speed | |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | NORTHPARK LINCOLN MERC |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | SAN ANTONIO |
Dealer's state code | TX |
Dealer's ZIP code |