The tail light assembly burned out after an unusually short period of time, they are led type and lasted only 5 years. Led's with this short life span should be considered defective as there are numerous incidents being reported about this problem.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Led tail/stop light fails; Ford garage says this is a common problem with this car and part; this is a real safety issue that Ford refuses to fix under extended warranty; repair not possible; only replacement of assembly at a cost of ~$400 each.

- Charleston, IL, USA

Approximately 25% of the rear passenger-side brake lights on my car permanently went out when I first discovered this problem in July 2014. During the following month, additional led lights in the rear light assembly failed until, finally, none of them would light up. This was outrageous in that my car, bought brand new in August 2009 and consistently housed in a garage, was fewer than 5 years old and had yet to reach the 30,000-mile mark. A licensed Pennsylvania car inspection station representative told me that my car would not pass its safety inspection unless the rear brake light assembly was replaced. Consequently, I was forced to do so; the bill came to $445 for its replacement. Because the light assembly consists of led lights, the entire assembly should have lasted for the life of the automobile, in my opinion. Obviously, this is a glaring safety defect since its malfunction alone results in a failure to pass an annual Pennsylvania automobile safety inspection. Not to mention that its replacement cost is astonishing. I feel strongly that Ford Motor Company should address this situation since other Mercury Milan owners, as well as owners of its twins -- the Ford Fusion and the Lincoln mkz -- have reported on this database nearly identical safety failures. Owners of these vehicles should be compensated for a safety problem that is repeatedly reported on this website. Ford certainly can no longer validly claim that it is unaware of this safety defect; it should issue a recall on its own and fix this design problem immediately.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

I purchased my 2010 Mercury Milan used on August 30, 2012 with 987 miles. Approximately in June, 2013 the car's right rear tail lamp went completely out and I had a new tail lamp installed for $408 + labor. In November, 2013 the car's left rear tail lamp went completely and I had a new tail lamp installed for $408 + labor. Now, March 6, 2015 the right rear tail lamp has gone out and I cannot afford to keep on paying these expenses when I now know that this is a Ford problem and due to poor engineering of the light assembly and because it has not been re-engineered to correct the problem, this will be a recurring problem for the life of the car. I run the chance of being stopped by the police for an unsafe vehicle.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The driver side outer tail light is partially out. The outer 2 segments still light up, but the inner 5 are out. If you tap the light it flicks on for a second on then goes out again. The lights do not illuminate when the brake is pressed either.

- Corning, NY, USA

The driver's side break light is hyderactive when my headlights are on. When the headlights are off the break light works fine. This seems to be a popular issue with many Mercury milians. The part was $377 to replace it and I have no had the car a full year. Also my driver's side actuator in my headlight went as well. My first car purchased ever and it was Ford and I have had nothing but issue with the car. Disappointing.

- Falls , PA, USA

I was issued a warning by local police that my left rear taillight was not working. This is an led array that has been replaced once before. On investigation, I observed that the taillight only works intermittently, and will flicker on and off when the headlights are on. Further, there is no brightness difference between braking and non braking intensity.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

Tail lights stay illuminated bright whenever the head/parking lights are on. Have been told this numerous times even by tenn highway patrol. Took it mtn view Ford, my regular dealer who replaced the brake light switch under premiumcare for the $100 deductible. Then they told me that I needed to replace both of my tail lights which is $375 each plus labor due to the fact that they were led lights and could not be repaired. This very disheartening since I see that this is evidently a common problem with these vehicles and is not covered under the extended warranty. I guess Ford knew that there would be a problem with the lights and excluded it. I need the NHTSA to have a recall issued so Ford will admit their problem and make it right for their consumers. The approximately $1000 dollars to repair this is unreasonable when a simple bulb change could have resolved the problem. Yes, I did have a throttle body problem which was repaired under my warranty before the recall and when the recall was issued mtn view Ford sent me a check for my $100 deductible. I wonder what will go wrong next. The only injury or fatality due to this is may wallet.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

When the headlights are on the rear driver's side tail light does not light as brightly as the passenger side. I have had several people bring this to my attention beginning in approximately Sept 2014. My sister in law followed me one night and it drove her absolutely crazy. I have had many people express concerns that I may get stopped for this. I inquired yesterday at the Ford dealer about getting this fixed and was told that the whole unit needs to be replaced because they are led lights. Approximate cost is $410 plus tax. I since have looked on line to inquire about replacing it myself and found that this is a common problem for Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion.

- Freeport, IL, USA

It first started with the passenger rear tail light. The led brakelight failed, led lights are known to last for 20+ years and these lasted about four. After that a bulb went out, when the bulb was replaced it still didn't resolve the issue. There are two components to the tail light, an inner light attached to the rear trunk and a outer light on the actual rear body. First, the inner passenger went out, then the inner driver's and then the outside passenger. Now finally, the outside driver's side has started flickering. Doing minor google searches immediately returns results with other vehicles having the same problem.

- Seattle, WA, USA

When turning on the headlights, the left and right rear tail light illuminate as if you are braking. They remain on with no discernible difference between non braking and braking actions. This can lead to a potential safety hazard and the potential to be rear ended. The tail light assembly in these models is faulty and needs to be addressed. Ford does not seem willing to help with this matter.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

At approximately 9:00pm I was pulled over by a police officer who advised me that my passenger side brake light was not working and in fact was staying on all the time. After researching this problem I have found that many, many owners have this same issue yet Ford/Mercury has not recalled the affected part. Obviously this is a potential hazard as drivers behind me may be confused when looking at my brake lights but not seeing a change. Also, I assume that this will affect my vehicle passing inspection in my state. Apparently this part costs over $400 to replace and many people cannot afford this expenditure.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

Driver side tail lamp assembly is not functional seems the led portion of the taillight assembly needs to be replaced at a cost of $400-500 from the dealer. This is the second taillight in the 2 years of ownership that it has had to be replaced. Very poor design and safety concern of mine since this is no longer a $2 bulb replacement but an entire taillight assembly.

- Taylor, MI, USA

Someone noticed my rear passenger tail light on my 2010 Mercury Milan was abnormally bright and that brake light did not work. So I investigate and find that I have to replace the whole assembly instead of just a bulb. Omg. I have been a loyal Ford owner since 1985. The cost to replace is over $600? unbelievable. This is a safety issue and should be recalled.

- Nelson, IL, USA

I have had to replace both brake lights on my 2010 Milan. Now that they are led with a computer the cost is $400 a piece. Not a good thing.

- Ponca City, OK, USA

Right rear brake light inoperable and none repairable.the assembly is not repairable and is very expensive to replace ($300 to $400 ).Ford should make the assembly serviceable or affordable.failure is very premature and should be recalled.

- Prairie Du Chien, WI, USA

I have a 2010 Mercury Milan. The Milan is equipped with led tail and brake lights, unlike it's sibling, the Ford Fusion. Recently, I discovered after being pulled over by the police that the brake lights were not operating. I went to the dealer's service department, only to discover that the tail light/brake light/turn signal assembly is one sealed, unserviceable unit. There was no warning and leds do not burn out this quickly. To add insult to injury, Ford will not cover this under their premuimcare esp warranty, because they consider it a consumable object like tires. So on top of almost getting killed by being rear-ended in a collision, I got the privilege of paying $1000 to replace both sealed assemblies. This is a common failure in these vehicles and a hazard on the road which occurs without warning. Please recall these vehicles and make Ford fix this dangerous issue. Thank you,

- Merrick, NY, USA

On 12/5/2014, I noticed that the passenger side tail light was dimmer than the driver's side tail light and the brake light did not brighten when the brakes were applied. The dealer indicated that the whole tail light assembly would need to be replaced at an estimated cost of between $400-500 since this is an led integrated system. From an internet search and the NHTSA complaints, it seem that this is an issue that is occurring at low mileages. I cannot afford to replace the tail light assembly and will therefore continue to drive the vehicle as is. I'm sure there many people who have this issue that cannot afford to replace the tail light assembly. In some cases, both the driver's side and passenger side tail lights/brake lights have failed at low mileages, which might cost up to $1000 to resolve this issue. In Colorado, we do not have an inspection program, so this issue would not keep drivers from driving their cars in an unsafe condition. I'm afraid it will take a fatality and a lawsuit to elevate this issue to the point where Ford will address this issue.

- Westminster, CO, USA

The initial incident in November, 2013 was the failure of the passenger side rear led tail light assembly. This resulted in the brake lights not operating when the brakes were depressed. A police officer stopped the car for a warning due to the brake light failure. Mileage on the car at the time was 12,700 miles. Due to the safety hazard the repair was needed. The entire assembly, not just a single bulb needed to be replaced. Approximately 10 months later in September, 2014 the driver side rear led tail light is now malfunctioning in the same way. Brake lights are again flickering and not working when the brakes are depressed. Mileage on the car at the time of this next failure was 16,100 miles. The dealer quoted price to repair is over $450! this car is garage kept, well maintained and has not been in involved in any accidents. Ford should fix this defect under a safety recall free of charge to customers!

- Wanaque, NJ, USA

The rear passenger side tail light has burnt out. The tail light is led and therefore the entire tail light assembly must be replaced. The cost from Ford dealership is $428 for only the part not including labor. I have researced several sites, and find this to be a common problem for this make and model of vehicle. Lighting is a safety issue and Ford should back up their engineering flaw.

- Jenkins, KY, USA