Buy Ford Taurus Headlight Assembly

k.a. head-lamp, front light, lamp assembly, head-beam).

One-paragraph summary
The Ford Taurus has used three main headlight families since 1986: early models share a dual-filament 9007 halogen bulb, the 2010-2019 redesign moved to single-filament HIR2 halogen or optional D3S HID projectors, and recent export versions experiment with adaptive LED matrix lamps. These lights must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which now also permits Adaptive Driving Beams. Real-world testing shows mixed performance-IIHS rates 2019 Taurus headlights "Poor," while AAA finds aging plastic lenses can cut light output to 22 %. Condensation and UV fading are normal but manageable with proper venting, restoration kits or replacement housings. Modern Taurus options add features like glare-free high beam, camera-based auto high-beam, and forthcoming projection-style "digital" lighting. Correct aim, bulb choice, maintenance, and knowledge of legal limits keep the Taurus front lights safe, bright, and road-legal.

Fit Chart

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Safety Rules

• FMVSS 108 sets U.S. rules on lamp location, color, photometry, and DOT marking. (eCFR)
• A 2022 amendment finally allows Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) technology that dims only selected zones for oncoming cars. (Wikipedia)
• The Federal Highway Administration aiming guide says the cutoff should sit 2 in (5 cm) below the lamp center when the optical center is over 36 in (90 cm) high. (Federal Highway Administration)

Performance Tests

• IIHS tested 2019-model Taurus headlights and scored them "Poor" because low-beam reach was "inadequate on both sides of the road." (IIHS Crash Testing)
• AAA notes that cloudy polycarbonate lenses slash usable light to only 22 % of original output and raise glare. (AAA)
• A Guardian feature highlights the ongoing "brightness war," showing some experts still want more roadway luminance while drivers complain of glare. (The Guardian)

Common Issues

• Condensation: Ford and other makers classify a light mist inside the lens as normal; it should clear in 2-6 hours of driving. (NHTSA)
• UV haze & yellowing: Lab studies prove polycarbonate loses clarity and yellows under long-term UV exposure. (eGrove)
• Switch or wiring faults: One NHTSA complaint cites intermittent headlight shutdown near 35,600 mi on a 2019 Taurus. (CarComplaints.com)

Upgrade Tech

• Ford prototypes use GPS and steering-angle data to swivel LED matrix lamps into corners before the driver turns the wheel. (Ford Media Center)
• Glare-Free High-Beam employs a windshield camera to mask slices of the beam that would dazzle traffic up to 800 m away. (Ford Media Center)

Aim & Install

1. Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a flat wall.
2. Mark the lamp centers on the wall with tape.
3. Low-beam cutoff line should fall 2 in (5 cm) below marks for vehicles with lamp centers over 36 in high; align horizontally. (Federal Highway Administration)
4. Replace bulbs one side at a time to avoid mix-ups. Handle halogen glass with gloves to prevent hot-spot failure.

Care Tips

• Wash lenses with pH-neutral soap; avoid ammonia cleaners that etch coatings.
• Wax headlights 2-4 times a year for added UV shield. (AAA)
• Use a vented garage when possible to reduce moisture cycles that invite condensation.

Restore vs Replace

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb fits a 2015 Ford Taurus Limited?
A: Low/high beams use HIR2 (Trade No. 9012) unless the car has HID projectors, which take D3S capsules. (Ford Service Content)

Q: Can I swap LED bulbs into a halogen reflector?
A: Only if the LED is DOT-compliant and the beam pattern stays within FMVSS 108 glare limits; otherwise it may fail inspection. (eCFR)

Q: Why do my front lights fog up after rain?
A: Warm air inside meets a cool lens, reaching dew-point; the built-in vents purge moisture during normal driving. (NHTSA)

Q: Does headlight aim change when I load the trunk?
A: Yes-extra weight lowers the rear, tilting beams upward and increasing glare. Re-aim lights after major suspension or load changes. (Federal Highway Administration)

Q: Are adaptive headlights legal on U.S.-spec Taurus models?
A: As of the 2022 rule change, ADB systems are legal but not yet offered on U.S.-market Taurus, which ended after 2019. (Wikipedia)

Q: How long do HID capsules last?
A: About 2,000 hours on average-roughly double premium halogens.

Q: What causes yellow plastic?
A: UV radiation breaks polymer chains and the factory hard-coat, turning the lens amber and dull. (eGrove)

Q: Can cloudy lenses cause a ticket?
A: Yes-state inspections can fail lamps that don't project enough light or scatter glare.

Q: Will brighter bulbs melt wiring?
A: Stay with stock wattage; higher-watt halogens draw more amps and may overheat the switch or harness.

Q: How often should I check aim?
A: Twice a year and after any bulb change or suspension repair.