Washington State Department of Ecology

Auto Switches - Vehicles Containing Mercury Convenience Light Switches

Mercury light switches are common in U.S. made passenger cars and pickups. As a general rule, you should assume there is a mercury switch in the hood or trunk convenience lights of:

Model year 2002 or older GM vehicles
Model year 2001 or older Ford vehicles
Model year 1998 or older Chrysler vehicles

Check the following vehicles for mercury-containing switches:

Audi

1977-1988 Audi 100 (hood/trunk)
1980-1988 Audi 200 (hood/trunk)

BMW (None)

DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep, Plymouth)

Assume that all vehicles equipped with convenience light assemblies from 1998 and older model year Chrysler Group (Chrysler) vehicles have mercury switches.

Ford Motor Co. (Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda/Merkur/Volvo)

Cars potentially containing both hood and trunk switches:

1996 model year and prior:
- Ford
- Lincoln
- Mercury
- Merkur
2000 model year and prior:
- Ford Mustang
- Ford Crown Victoria
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Lincoln Town Car

Trucks, SUVs, and Vans (hood switches):

Prior to 2002:
- Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury Trucks, SUVs, and Vans except not 1999 model year
  and newer Ford Econoline, Ford Windstar, Ford Ranger; and Mercury Villager
- 1993-1997 Mazda Navajo
- 1995-1999 Mazda B-Series Pick-Up

Volvos from 1991 model year and prior (contain glass mercury switches)

General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab)

1998 Model Year and earlier – check all vehicles
1999 Model Year – check all vehicles except for the following:
- Chevrolet Astro
- Chevrolet Silverado
- GMC Safari
- GMC Sierra
2000 Model Year— only the following vehicles:
- Cadillac Escalade (hood)
- Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
- Chevrolet Cavalier (hood/trunk)
- Chevrolet Corvette (hood)
- Chevrolet Express (hood)
- GMC Denali (hood)
- GMC Envoy (hood)
- GMC Jimmy (hood)
- GMC Savana (hood)
- Oldsmobile Bravada (hood)
- Pontiac Sunfire (trunk)
2001 model year – only the following vehicles:
- Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
- Chevrolet Cavalier (trunk)
- Chevrolet Express (hood)
- GMC Envoy (hood)
- GMC Jimmy (hood)
- GMC Savana (hood)
- Luxury G-Van (hood)
- Oldsmobile Bravada (hood)
- Pontiac Sunfire (trunk)
2002 model year – only the following vehicles:
- Chevrolet Blazer (hood)
- Chevrolet Express (hood)
- Chevrolet S-10 Crew cab (hood)
- GMC Savanna (hood)
- GMC Sonoma Crew cab (hood)
- Luxury G-Van (hood)

Honda (None)
Mitsubishi (None)
Nissan (None)
Subaru (None)
Toyota (None)
Volkswagen (None)

2003 model year and newer vehicles DO NOT contain mercury light switches

For more information, contact Jan Brydsen at jbry461@ecy.wa.gov or call 509/575-2477.