The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving at various speeds, the headlights failed without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the lighting control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- East Prairie, MO, USA

My husband and I have had to make other arrangements for us getting back and forth to work after the headlights stopped working on this car. We went to the dealership who stated the part was on back order. We were just able to get the part placed on 1/21/2015 and it worked for the first hour. We took it back on 1/22/2015 and was told that the lighting controls (the switch that turns the light on auto, off etc) is not their problem. It seems they allow these problems to occur long enough to allow it to effect other things on the car then state there was only one problem approved without the out of pocket. However we had no problems until the headlights stopped working. The next thing that went were the dash board lights and now the brake lights. How do we know that depending upon the timeframe problem exists, it may have an adverse affect on other things? this has been a huge inconvenience and it seems they want a fatality before something is done about it.

- Columbia, SC, USA

Update: After reading the headlight issues on this site, having had the same problem myself, I took my Mercury to mechanics and explained what I've been reading. They said the lighting control module was on a lengthy back-order. However, they were able to find a broken solder joint on the lcm, which they repaired for $170. This repair lasted 3 months and, as of 1/17/2015, headlights randomly shut off, again with only the 'flash to pass' stick pulled in to illuminate the high beams.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

My headlights went out while driving a few times. I took it in to the dealer (after local shop said it would be expensive, but may be under warranty). The dealer said on November 18th that the lcm is covered under warranty, however it may take a few weeks. The problem is getting progressively worse. The dealer's suggestion for workaround is to use the "flash-to-pass" lever, which momentarily turns on high beam lights. This is not a practical solution, holding the passing lights during a 45 minute drive to work every day. The dealer refuses to provide a rental/loaner vehicle. I'm concerned with the long term effects on the "flash-to-pass", which may go out as well, as it is not designed for continual use like this. I have to drive to work in the dark every morning, dealing with intermittent headlights, and trying to manually hold the flash-to-pass lights. This is a dangerous situation which should be resolved immediately!

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The headlights would not come on. The only way to drive home was to hold down the high beam lever the entire time, there are many complaints about this situation online with this vehicle and this is a severe safety issue. This car is owned by my 84 year old mother, lets get this recall done so no one gets hurt.

- Wellington, FL, USA

The headlights turned off while on the freeway. Since then it's happening more frequently. Now it's multiple times each morning on the 35 minute trip to work. Temporary solution is to manually hold the momentary brights switch. Holding this switch while driving is annoying, and unsafe since that it on the same lever as the turn signals.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

My headlights quit working occasionally cant see the road without lights.

- Okc, OK, USA

My brother was visiting for my son's wedding and used our mother's car for transportation. He found that the headlights would not come on, and eventually found that holding the high beam switch "on", the lights worked. At the dealership he was told there was likely a recall to fix this. Since he has gone back home, I have been researching this for my mother. I found a closed "safety" issue, number PE08066, which is exactly what he experienced. Although you have a very low number of complaints listed, consider this: Most of these cars are purchased by older people, many mechanically incapable in addition to being unsavvy with computers and the internet, and tend to drive it less, especially at night, so the issue would not be noticeable for quite some time. If they did experience this, they probably paid some serious money to Ford dealers to get it fixed, not realizing that this is a huge safety issue and this should be fixed for free under warranty before failure of the module - the tsb talks about failure of the module. Well, my brother took it in for inspection with this faulty module, and it passed, so then do they not consider it "failed"? mother is 91 years old and would probably panic if the lights went out while she was driving it. This is a major safety issue, and should be rated higher to get the warranty work done!!! I plan to follow up with the same dealer and see what they have to say about this. My suspicion is that until it fails she will have to pay for this fix, which is not cheap. This is ridiculous. Listing my information instead of hers as she needs our help to deal with this kind of annoyance.

- Jaffrey, NH, USA

Lighting module failure. Parts have been ordered on 8/27/14, by pacific marple Ford, broomall, pa.610-353-5500. Dealer stated on 8/27/14 that they should receive the part in approximately in a month. I visited dealer on 10/3/20-14 and they told me Ford has notified them it may be 2015 no lighting module I called Ford Motor Comany relationship center on 9/3/14, 9/15,9/18, 9/23, 10/3,10/25 and 10/30 2014 ms jodi of the center called me on 9/18/14 her phone # 866-631-3788 ext. 77744. She stated she will call me on 9/30 with an update. Have not heard from her since. Left messages for her on 10/3, 10/25 and 10/30 2014. I cannot drive at night. My auto inspection is November 2014. No headlights, cannot pass inspection this is Ford's responsibilty, not the dealer. Please help. Thank you

- Havertown, PA, USA

Traveling southbound on I-95 in early morning all lights went out for a few seconds, leaving us in total darkness. Lights came back on and everything resumed as normal for remainder of our trip home. A couple of month later same thing happened during a short evening drive near home. No lights. Researched this frightening occurrence and found that our year make model has this problem due to bad lighting module solder job. Contacted for Ford, no help. Eventually got a letter from Ford stating they would extend warranty on this part, but would only replace module if it was failing at time dealer looked at it, after charging $49 dollars to test for codes. It has not failed at a dealer location. I avoid driving at night as much as possible.

- Longwood, FL, USA

Headlights shut off unexpectedly while driving in complete darkness. Finally figured out I had to pull the "safe to pass" in order to get the headlights to stay on. Drove to work while pulling the "safe to pass" stick on my steering wheel. Absolutely unsafe.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Consumer writes in regards to recall on lighting control module.

- Richmond, MO, USA

Driving around a bend on a dark county highway in southern NJ, no street lights. My headlights go out and wont come back on. Since my steering is stiff, I almost wrapped myself around a tree. Thank god, I have good brakes and driving on brand new tires on a dry road or I would be dead right now. My mechanic has always claimed that the stiff steering is a common problem & a manufacturing defect, but cost prohibitive for me to fix. When I took the car today, he said it was definitely the lighting control module ($600 part). He was unaware of the chronic problem that is happening as of late with the lcm's in 2003 marquis. I think you guys closed the case too early on the lcm's, the complaints boards all over the internet about this problem are increasing in frequency. Combined with extremely stiff steering, headlights going out randomly is a recipe for disaster.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

Head lights would not come on when we tried to return to our hotel in yankton sd. Head lights are intermittent going to work during morning drive in Lincoln ne. Morning sun is bright enough so not a safety hazard. We can not trust vehicle to drive at night. Went to beatrice Ford, beatrice ne to get fixed but were told lcm module is on back order. 8-22-2014.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

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

Cannot get lights to work, pulled over by police (twice)going down the road, and didnt know lights were out. They come and go. Police said to do something like take it to dealer. They told me I was to fail auto inspection for this on the spot. Dealer says they want to test for a week and then they say they cant get parts. If I got to court one mre time or car is impounded I am seking my attorney. This is a safety defect with dangerous and negligent consequences.

- Greenville, TX, 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

Lights would not turn on at night. Had to hold the bright light handle on steering column up to drive home. Checked fuses for left headlamp and right headlamp. They were good. Have been told the problem is a lighting module that cost up to $600 dollars to replace.

- Sumrall, MS, 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

Headlamps turned off while driving down dark highway at night!!! only able to make high beam lamps work by pulling turn signal lever back and holding in that position. Low beam and high beam do not work, only high beam when manually held on. Should be recalled!!! very dangerous!!!

- Kansas City, MO, USA