Ford are recalling 130 replacement headlamps installed on 2013–16 Lincoln MKZ cars. It seems some dealers began ordering and installing ECE headlamp assemblies for the Korean and Chinese markets when the American-spec lamps were unavailable on an extended backorder. The affected replacement headlamps—which cost about USD $1,300 a piece—were sold directly to customers or installed as replacements.
It seems the dealers either didn’t know or didn’t sufficiently care that the lamps they installed or sold did not comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108—they produce beam patterns considered safe and effective only in those countries that are not the United States of America, they lack side marker lights, and—perhaps most worrisome of all—they allow for horizontal aim adjustment.
There are no reports of crashes or injuries related to the misequipment. Dealers will inspect headlamps in affected vehicles and replace them as needed, and will contact customers who purchased over-the-counter parts and provide replacements.