NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,973 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mercury Grand Marquis lights problems

lights problem

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2003 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments (Page 9 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Apr 172009

Grand Marquis

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a Mercury Grand Marquis 03 at approx. 65,000 miles I was driving in tampa and the lights went out. It didn't do it for a while then they went out again and now they go out often. I took car to dealership at 72K however warranty was up and they would charge me like %800 for parts and labor. This is very dangerous after reading it appears that is a common defect in these cars.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #18

May 012010

Grand Marquis

  • 83,400 miles
2003 Grand Marquis headlight failure. The headlights on the car just go out at inopportune times. This is a common problem on this model. Why hasn't there been a recall for this extremely dangerous issue. Seventy miles an hour and losing the headlights is a serious problem.

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #17

Apr 182010

Grand Marquis

  • 60,000 miles
I am having headlight failure due to light control module(lcm/light box) issues. As I have found out while researching the web I am not the only person having this problem the headlights will switch off and on no matter if your driving or not. Many times they will not come 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. The part and repair will be $900 by a 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. I have been driving on a long dark hwy when this has happen do it take for someone to be killed !!!! because when the light go out you can not see.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #16

Dec 142003

Grand Marquis

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #15

Aug 132009

Grand Marquis

  • miles
I was driving my car like always an this one particular night the headlights just shut off, I pulled over an checked the fuse an that was not the problem so afterwards I pulled off an about 5 minutes later the headlights popped back on, an this has been going on for several months now, but come to find out it was the lighting control module located underneath the dashboard beneath the steering wheel which is a costly item.

- Mobile, AL, USA

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problem #14

Feb 052009

Grand Marquis

  • miles
10.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #13

Jan 042010

Grand Marquis

  • 49,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is on my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis gs. The light processor failed and my headlights went out after driving the vehicle for 5 to 10 minutes. They continue to do this until the system would reset, taking 15 to 30 seconds. This also happen on my 1997 Ford crown vic fire chiefs car when I had that vehicle. Both vehicles needed to have the light processor replaced costing over $500. My mechanic stated that when he called the dealer they stated that they always keep 3 or 4 in stock because this is a problem. My question is why is this not a recall item"?? the headlights going out while driving down the road at night must be a safety issue" thank you for your time in this matter.

- Old Town, ME, USA

problem #12

Dec 312009

Grand Marquis

  • 115,000 miles
Headlights went out without warning. Kept using the bright light switch until they came back on.. this has happened a few times. Now the headlight will not come at all with the light switch. This is on a 2003 Grand Marquis. With all the complaints Ford should have a recall for the safety issue.

- Talladega, AL, USA

problem #11

Nov 052009

Grand Marquis

  • 96,888 miles
Headlight go off and will not come back on. This happened once before a few months back but started working again, this time would not work, took to a Ford dealer, problem was the light control module (lcm). Dealer replaced for $556.16.

- Shoreacres, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 032009

Grand Marquis

  • 158,000 miles
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

problem #9

Sep 122009

Grand Marquis

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis that has a problem with the headlights going out. I have researched this on the internet and find that there are many more complaints the same as mine. A recall should be issued and Ford Motor Company should replace the lighting module on these vehicles. It is a safety issue since it has happened two different times in the past month. Both times were not on the interstate or turnpike which we often travel. Action should be taken to correct this problem.

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #8

Aug 102009

Grand Marquis

  • 52,850 miles
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

problem #7

Jun 102009

Grand Marquis

  • 65,000 miles
I drive 100 miles back and forth to work on a nightly basis, headlights might come on and stay on if I'm lucky. Headlights will come on for about 3 minutes when I first start the car, and then maybe once I get on the highway, they may stay on, for a few more minutes. However traveling down the highway at 75 mph, in the dark, I feel imposes a safety risk. Ford wants over $700 to fix the problem. Mileage at 65,000.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #6

Jun 152009

Grand Marquis

  • 154,000 miles
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

problem #5

May 012009

Grand Marquis

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 70 mph, the exterior lighting dimmed on the vehicle. The contact discovered that the light control module had a short and caused the failure. The manufacturer stated that there was no safety back up in the vehicle for the exterior lighting. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because a crash could occur if the exterior lighting were to dim at night. The current mileage was 127,000 and failure mileage was 125,000.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 272009

Grand Marquis

  • 100,100 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving at an unknown speed, the headlights dimmed without warning. The dealer placed a monitor on the vehicle to locate the failure and replace the module. The vehicle has been repaired and the headlights are working normally. The current mileage was 100,500 and failure mileage was 100,100.

- Three Rivers, MA, USA

problem #3

Mar 212003

Grand Marquis

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights constantly turn on and off. He will take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The current and failure mileages were 45,000.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #2

Dec 012008

Grand Marquis

  • 44,000 miles
I have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The automatic headlamps operate erratically. At night, I will be driving and the headlamps will switch off for no apparent reason. Often times, if I am able, I pull over on the side of the road and either have to just wait or fiddle with the headlight switch until they come back on. Many times they will switch off 3 or 4 times. This creates a dangerous situation for me. I am 87 years old and my daughter who also drives the car is 66 years old. This is a serious problem. Unfortunately, in order to repair this, it has been estimated at anywhere from $400 to $800 to repair this malfunction. I hope the NHTSA will see fit to order a recall by Ford to repair this defect.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

Dec 102008

Grand Marquis

  • 95,100 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights would not operate while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to both an independent mechanic and the dealer. Both stated that the failures were due to the electronic control module. The contact was concerned that he could not operate the vehicle at night. NHTSA investigation number PE-066 was opened for the failure; however, no verdict has yet been reached. The failure mileage was 95,100 and current mileage was 95,600.

- White House, OH, USA

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