Led brake light flickers on and off.

- Hayward, WI, USA

One month after my NHTSA complaint # 10563879, the left side tail/brake light system is now responding in the same manner. Ie: brake lights function normally during the day without the tail lights on, but when tail lights are activated, they shine at full 100% intensity, as if the brakes were applied. Brake application is now only shown by the small third center light. Whenever I see a Milan in my city at night, which is the only time it will be evident, I try to follow it to see if it has this issue also. I'll find that usually 1 or both of this vehicles lights do this, and the owners do not realize it. I feel this is a widespread safety issue, compounded by the owner being unaware of a problem. No dash warning is shown. And yes, Ford wants $400 for this lamp. Replacing it is the only fix.

- Findlay, OH, USA

My son was almost rear ended on the freeway, which prompted my inspection of our 2010 Mercury Milan. I found the brake lights work as they should in daylight. When the headlights come on though, the right rear tail light shows the brake lights intensity 100% of the time, and is unaffected by brake pedal application. Left rear brake/tail light, and upper 3rd brake light operate normally. I consider this a major safety concern, especially after researching this led light system. This vehicle shows repeated widespread incidents, exactly as I describe. Some people report both lights malfunctioning. My concern is that it takes a third party to tell you that your tail/brake lights are not operating correctly, so most owners wont know they have a problem. This could be more common to this vehicle than it already appears to be. I only personally know one other person with the same vehicle and they have the same problem ! issue is not currently acknowledged by Ford, probably because it is a $400 lamp that must be replaced in its entirety.

- Findlay, OH, USA

The contacts owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph he heard audio signals. There were warning indicator lights illuminated that stated check brake system, ABS. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic diagnosed that the computer system and the brake mechanism had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,250.

- Lady Lake, FL, USA

When the lights are on (at night), the rear lights are continuously at their highest brightness, as if the brakes were pressed down. So, it appears that the brakes are on continuously. The only difference when the brake pedal is pressed down is that the central light high up on the trunk turns on. This is only an issue at night- during the day the brake lights function normally. Based on internet forums at edmunds and consumer reports, among others, I have found at least 10 other instances of this exact same problem with 2010 Mercury Milan, most with low mileage: E.g. forums.consumerreports.org/N/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&tsn=1&webtag=cr-38aujohn&tid=5115 ; www.edmunds.com/Mercury/Milan/2010/consumer-discussions.html. my car has only 15,000 miles on it. This clearly appears to be a factory wiring defect, and one that is not immediately obvious when the car is purchased (we only found out about it when someone we knew was following our car at night, three months after purchase of the car). The fix, according to Ford, is to replace both tail lights, at a cost of $1000. Ford refuses to help pay for the repairs or acknowledge the defect. Given the obvious safety implications of continuously active brake lights, the documented record of the defect, and the non-obvious nature of the problem (many people may be driving around with this problem without realizing it), NHTSA needs to press Ford to acknowledge the defect and perform a recall.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

I have a 2010 Mercury Milan with 40,000 miles on it. Recently someone pointed out to me that the driver-side brake light is continuously activated. Consequently when braking, drivers behind me are only notified by the right and center brake lights. It seems to only happen when the headlights are on. My research shows this to be a common issue with the 2010 Mercury Milan with some having both brake lights malfunctioning. Diagnosis says it is a faulty led brake light assembly, which would imply a bad circuit board. This is a serious safety hazard and should be recalled. I contacted Ford about it and they directed me to a dealer saying they, (Ford) would probably pay for the repair. After I contacted the dealer, Ford changed their mind and said that since I didn't buy the car new, they didn't consider me a "loyal'" Ford customer and will not cover any of the cost. It seems Ford is only concerned about the safety of their "loyal" customers.

- Golden Valley, MN, USA

Right rear brake light activates and stays on while running/headlights are turned on. I have also seen this while driving behind similar Milan. Some with both sides activated leaving only the center light to indicate actual braking.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

I have had the Milan 2010 into Ford 6 times because the engine lost all power without warning:no lights;brakes'steering. I have witnesses. It has happened in all types of conditions: Stop and go traffic; merging onto a freeway. The last time black smoke came from under the hood. The car was in the shop for 6 weeks. A week after it was so called "repaired" the problem occurred again. I started a "lemon law" complaint in March 2012. My mother became fatally ill and died and I could not complete the claim. June 15, 2012 I was pulling into a parking space and the electrical system failed. I could not stop. I crashed into a cement wall. The car was a total loss. I got whiplash. My insurance company will not pay the balance remaining on the car. BBB stopped "lemon law" case because there was an accident. No attorney will take the case because there is not enough money to be gained. I am without a car; in debt; injured; driving a rental car and working 12 hours a day to buy a new car. Please help me.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA