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NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04020

Preliminary Evaluation · FAILING HEADLIGHTS · Opened 2004-02-26 · Closed 2004-06-24

Investigation

Action number
PE04020
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
2004-02-26
Close date
2004-06-24
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Affected makes
MERCURY; NISSAN
Affected components
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Affected model years
1999, 2000
Affected (make, year) variants
4

Summary

NISSAN AND FORD FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT STAINLESS STEEL BULB TERMINALS MAY OVER TIME CAUSE ELEVATED CONTACT RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING.THIS CAN RESULT IN A HEADLIGHT FLICKERING, BULB OUTAGE AND HEAT DEFORMATION TO THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.IN APRIL 1999, THE SUPPLIER OF THE HEADLIGHT FOR NISSAN AND FORD CHANGED TO A BULB USING THE STAINLESS STEEL TERMINALS THAT DID NOT MEET ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS.ON JULY 17, 2000, THE SUPPLIER BEGAN USING A BULB MEETING THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI investigation page
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