The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck and could not move out of the park position. In addition, the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact mentioned that the brake wiring had to be pushed down to override the failure. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V106000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Marion, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While the contact started the ignition, there were several attempts before the gear would shift out of the "park" position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the neutral gear sensor was replaced. The failure recurred after one month. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the identical failure. The technician informed that the failure was related to the wiring. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V106000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch); however, the VIN was excluded from the recall defect. The vehicle was not repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Rockwood, TN, USA

I have a 2003 Mercury Sable with a failed brake light switch that Ford acknowledged and released a recall for (NHTSA campaign id number: 04V106000, NHTSA action number: RQ03008) however, when I called Ford customer care they declined to assist in the matter until I urged them that they needed to repair the issue at no cost to me. After a long discussion they said they would pay for the repairs, but only after I paid a diagnostic service fee to rule out any other cause for the failure. As it is now the car is very difficult to get out of park, and when it is the brake lights are intermittent at best. I do not want this to result in an accident or injury as a result of Ford's neglect to resolve this issue. Is there anything the NHTSA ODI can do to help me resolve this issue as quickly as possible? thank you, scott ritter

- Lowell, IN, USA

I just bought this car and was having a problem with my brake lights not working and then every time I tried to take the car out of park it got stuck. My battery also went dead. All within days of my purchase. I researched online and found that there was a recall that had all of these problems and they were connected. When I went to the Ford dealership they told me there was no recall for this car which I find hard to believe because it is the exact same problem as listed in the recall. My car is a 2003 Mercury Sable. See recall info below: ------------------------ make: Mercury model: Sable model year: 2003 manufacturer: Ford Motor Company mfr's report date: Mar 01, 2004 NHTSA campaign id number: 04V106000 RQ03008 NHTSA action number: RQ03008 component: Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch Ford recall 04S12 summary: Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash. Consequence: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of park. If they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.

- Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that he is experiencing brake light failure. He also stated that he could start the vehicle, but it failed to shift out of the park position. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that they would not pay for the repairs, although a recall was issued for the component. The current mileage is 51,000 and failure mileage was 48,000. Updated 07/16/08. Updated 07/16/08

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

NHTSA recall 04V105000 concerning air filter paper/fire. Consumer made an appointment on 3/22/2004 for recall repairs. Dealer did not have the parts, but told consumer when the appointment was made that the parts were available. Also, dealer performed the recall for the brake light switch which the consumer had no information on this recall. Dealer did not know when the parts will be available to repair the air filter paper.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA