This defect caused no parking lights, tail lights, side markers or dash lights. Dealer said this problem is common! one becomes a sitting duck in the dark with no lights in the sides or rear of vehicle. Please make Ford recall and correct this dangerous defect.

- Gray, ME, USA

I had been noticing a strange burning smell in the car for some time - but couldn't place its source. I found the smell getting stronger over time, and stronger when the headlights were on. Then I noticed that the dash area surrounding the headlight switch was warm to the touch. I pulled off the headlight switch knob, and the switch shaft was burning - too hot to touch. I obtained a new headlight switch and proceeded to dissaemble the dash. I found the back end (plastic connector receptable body) of the switch totally melted, and some of the wires had their insulation melted clear off, down to bare copper. Luckily none of the wires were touching in the bare areas. The male end of the harness (that plugs into the switch) was melted into the switch body. I had to buy a new replacement connector, splice it in and make up some new wires, and then install the new switch. The auto parts stores say that although Ford doesn't have the connector + pigtail assembly available as a dealer item, it is an aftermarket item since "they burn up so often." Had I not intervened when I did, I could have had a severe in-dash fire, plus lost my lights at night. My lights never stopped working, although the burning smell was evident. Mercury customer assistance advised no prior reports of this type.

- Scarsdale, NY, USA

Window wiper/high beam/turn signal switch is faulty causing wipers to not park in proper position also intermittent headlight problems

- Fairview Park, OH, USA

Sitting in the vehicle smelled something burning. Opened the door to see where it was burning. Turned on headlight switch and a fire broke out on the dashboard.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

Consumer had just driven vehicle about 65 miles, parked it at work and then about 10 minutes after turning vehicle off, it started to smoke and afterwards came the flames. The fire started in the dashboard. The vehicle was totaled.

- San Ramon, CA, USA