The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
The risk
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers May be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
The fix
Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-028 (98V028000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Exterior lighting › Headlights |
| Report date | February 10, 1998 |
| Owners notified | March 23, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 571,800 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the lights
- 1998 Ford Contour headlight problems 50
- 1997 Ford Taurus headlight problems 36
- 1998 Ford Taurus headlight problems 28
- 1998 Lincoln Continental headlight problems 4
- 1998 Lincoln Navigator headlight problems 3
- 1998 Lincoln Town Car headlight problems 12
- 1998 Mercury Mystique headlight problems 19
- 1997 Mercury Sable headlight problems 15
- 1998 Mercury Sable headlight problems 11
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-028 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 571,800 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.