I was driving at early dawn when I realized in some shadier areas the headlights weren't working. I pulled over and confirmed this. I thought that instances of intermittent headlight failure the week before was a misperception on my part. I had received a letter from Ford weeks earlier; Ford has indeed confirmed this problem is due to their lighting control module, so much so that Ford's letter claims that the company will cover replacement for an additional 5 years. My car's module has now failed completely. I am unsure in how many earlier instances, especially in semi-lighter environments where it was less perceptible to me, this intermittent headlight failure put both myself and other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists around me in real danger. The failure of my car's module has since been confirmed by my local dealer. In addition, I contacted Ford directly. However, affected drivers, as well as potential future owners, both of whom have and will pose a danger to others, have not and will not have a remedy any time soon, according to Ford, despite their letter. Ford dealer and regional managers suggest that the part is out of stock indefinitely. Future drivers will have no remedy to their cars' unsafe conditions. An allusion has been made to some unsanctioned, uncovered, and pricey, unreimbursable fix with no guarantee of success, hence to guarantee of safety either. Worse still, Ford has categorized this issue as one not entitled to rental assistance despite their "covered" failed part being responsible. States' inspection processes will fail any vehicle exhibiting this clearly unsafe issue. The commonwealth will deem my unsafe and unroadworthy this month, leaving me with no recourse. And with no relief expected from the manufacturer, any other car suffering this failure will meet with the same fate. What is the worth of being "covered" without a safe fix?

- Topsfield, MA, USA

Letter from congressman jones on behalf of constituent regarding a problem she has encountered with her 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Motor Company; attn: William moore. The consumer received a customer satisfaction program notice, regarding a potential problem may exist with the electronic module, that supplied power to the headlights, may fail.

- Winterville, NC, USA

Customer satisfaction program by Ford, #14N01: They (Ford) tell me in a letter that my headlights may fail without any notice of a problem. They (Ford) know this is not only possible, but that it has happened numerous times already. There are blogs that speak to this issue. If it is the function of your department to protect consumers then please do so. This is potentially a deadly safety issue..... if there is even the slightest chance this could happen I don't understand why this department has not rectified it and made Ford recall these vehicles.

- Napa, CA, USA

The headlights on my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis have stopped working. This has been an intermittent problem. The most recent issue left my wife and mother in law stranded along the roadside. The first time I thought it was the switch in the steering column because after working the blinkers the lights started working. The next time my wife was driving on the interstate highway and the lights just went off at interstate speeds. It seems this is a common issue and has stranded others.

- Trenton, OH, USA

Headlights went off while driving.

- Newfane, NY, USA

Driving down the road and the headlights went out. All other lights work fine, but the headlights work intermittently. I have to use the bright lights and hold the switch while driving in order to be able to drive at night and that is just crazy. I'm blinding everyone I pass and it's very hard to drive that way.

- Rossville, GA, USA

At 69000 miles the lighting control module, climate control module, restraint control module stopped functioning. All at the same time. Odd they all go out at the same time. Safety issue.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

While driving at dusk on my way home (with my 5 year old little girl!), my headlights shut off without warning! we were fortunate that several drivers in the oncoming lane were concerned and conscientious and flashed their high beams to signal that something was wrong. Deductively, I ruled out my lights being off because the switch was on. That was until the traffic light turned red and I saw no reflection on the back of the car in front of me! I flipped the switch off then back on again to see if it was a bad connection in the switch or perhaps it was between positions and would possibly work if I repositioned it. No good! ugh, the light went green! I nervously pulled at the bright light selector to see if they worked! just in time to barely miss the SUV that obviously did not see us!!! I did not let it go until we were safe at home!!! phew!!! I guess now would be the time to change my pants!

- Plainview , NY, USA

The headlights go out, apparently the lcm module has failed. They will come back on intermittently. When the lights are out the driver has to hold the high beam switch for lighting. Ford ought to voluntarily replace the lcm modules.

- Fowlerville, MI, USA

2003 merc marquis low beam lights went out at 60mph unlit rural road. Almost crashed had I not raised high beam lever on steering column. Low beam operates intermittently. Diagnosed as electronic control module failure. Estimated repair cost $700. If no recall, someone will die.

- Valparaiso, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was driving approximately 55 to 60 mph when the head lights and the instrument panel lights failed without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that the electronic control module failed and that he would be replacing the component himself. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 48,000. The lighting module was replaced. Updated 09/16/11

- Springfield , MO, USA

The headlights on the car just went out. It happened more and more frequently at random times. Mechanic says it is the lighting control module ( lcm ).he stated this is a common problem for my Grand Marquis and crown victoias this would have been fatal for my family and I if we were on the interstate traveling at night at the speed limit.

- Nashville , TN, USA

I have two complaints, my first complaint is, I own a 2003 Grand Marquis. I have to be to work @ 3 in the morning so one day I was headed to work on a dark road and all of a sudden my light turn off by themselves. I pulled over and played with the light switch and it came back on. The next day it did it again, and I repeated the same steps. So for the third day they didn't come on at all. I took it to Ford the same day and they said it was the lcm, which would cost a estimated $750 dollars to replace it. I had to hold the bright lights til I saved enough money to get it replaced. My other complaint is about the A/C climate control unit, this is another major problem. One day its was working fine, then the next day it was not blowing out the proper vents, then eventually it stop working. I can feel a little air blowing out once I hit about 65 mph on the freeway. Again I took it 2 Ford and it would be another $650 to replace it. I asked around town and a lot of people are having the same problems. Something needs to be done about this. If you check ebay, they do have services that rebuild both the lcm and the climate control unit for anywhere between $75 and $200 dollars.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

The headlights go out on my 2003 Mercury marquis while driving, they will go on again if I shut down the car and let it sit for about 10 minutes, but the issue will occur again once I drive for 15 - 20 minutes. This seems like a wide spread problem in this make and model, I have researched it on the internet and found dozens of complaints about this issue.

- Dania, FL, USA

The head lights on my Mercury Grand Marquis go out when I drive at night. I have searched the web for solutions to this problem. It turns out this is a recurring problem with thousands of other owners of this model. It is a serious issue when you are driving on country roads or on the interstate and your lights go out and you can't see anything. The lights usually remain off for about ten minutes or so. Mercury needs to be responsible for this issue before a serious accident happens (if one hasn't already).

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

Headlights on 2003 Mercury granmarquis will go off or will not come on at any time they may come on or may not come on at any time if they go off while the vechicle is travling on the road this could be disasterious and could lead to loss of life. The prblem started on 12/14/2009 and continued until the lcm (processor-lighting control module) was replaced on 12/30/2009 the lcm was replaced by sparton Lincoln Mercury, mcdonough ga.30253 the part, labor and to diagnose it cost approximately $760, dealer kept part car was not driven at night because of problem problem could occur at any time

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

Lights turn off and will not turn on/ lights will not turn in any position. The lighting control module has been an issue for 2 years.

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

The lights on my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis turn on and off by themselves, leaving me in the dark while driving.

- Lambertville, MI, USA

I am having headlight failure due to light control module(lcm/light box) issues. This issue has been previously complained about and investigated by your Agency as I have found out while researching your website. There has been no events leading up to the failure. The headlights will switch off and on no matter if your driving or not. Many times they will not go on at all. I am forced to stop once they go out and wait until they decide to switch back on to continue while driving at night. I reported this to Ford Motor Company on August 10, 2009, and I was quoted a 1,000 estimate for repair by my local dealer due to the fact that there has never been a recall issued. What exactly needs to happen to get this safety issue remedied? please take a deep look into this.

- Pacoima, CA, USA

2003 Grand Marquis I am experiencing intermittent headlight failure while driving my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. This is covered by NHTSA action PE08-066 which was recently closed without resulting in a recall. I feel your automobile headlights failing while driving is a serious safety issue. There is no question that I am going to have to pay $400-$800 to have the car repaired. Lighting control module will need to be replaced to fix a relay that is worth only about $25. As a retiree on fixed income, this is a financial hardship. I called Ford customer relationship center and was told I am responsible for the cost since the vehicle is beyond the warranty coverage. Internet search engine on Mercury headlight failure revealed this is a common problem on ltd's and Mercury's especially 2003 Grand Marquis' and fleet ltd's. I think NHTSA closing PE08-066 has resulted in a failure to accurately address this as a serious safety concern and as a product defect and Ford has failed in their customer service obligations to a past valued customer. Failure seems to be a matter of not if but when this failure will occur on these vehicles.

- Dublin, GA, USA