Facts: I own a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis that had total headlight failure while driving 55 mph. Although I ran off the road I was able to recover with no damage/injury/loss of life because I was familiar with the road/the car/and sadly, previous experience with total headlight failure in a previous vehicle (2001 Dodge durango). Once I stopped I checked all obvious things for failure (battery/fuses/etc) but soon realized I had parking lights/turn signals/side marker lights/dash lights/tail lights/and even brake lights...everything except headlights. I tried the high-beam position and no luck there either - until I pulled the multi-function switch toward the steering wheel to the "flash" the high-beam position. I continued to hold the switch in this position and drive with my high-beams on for the few miles I had left to my destination. Once home I turned vehicle off gathered my test equipment and began my troubleshooting just to find out that now everything worked as advertised. That held true for approx. 1500 miles ' or about 2 months (with initial failure at approx 31,000 miles) when headlights failed again; and now they even fail intermittently at any time to include daylight hours. My troubleshooting revealed the lighting control module (lcm) is the cause of failure, but more importantly, my investigation revealed this is a known failure...by literally hundreds of people...to include you people of the NHTSA. My analysis tells me that the failure is probably not miles related but more likely usage related since my 31+ years (and counting) in the military taught me to drive with my headlights on 24/7/365 in the see and be seen philosophy'add the fact that I currently have 34,000 miles where most have a lot more. Opinion: A 3rd grader could have done the research to identify this is a serious problem and an 8th grader could make the decision to recall the cars for total headlight failure. If you can't - take your loved ones for a ride in my car at night!!!

- Niceville, 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

Hello, we have a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis that has a problem with the head lights shutting off at random times. Nothing gave warning to this problem happening, we bought the car used, and was just fine for a year, then all of a sudden one day the headlights just go out. The first time it happened was about 6 months ago(3-1-10). Now everytime it is driven with the headlights on, it is guaranteed to happen at least once and sometimes up to 5 times just in 3 miles of driving on my wife's way home from work. The only way to get the lights back on after they go out is to pull over to the side of the road, shut the car off, let sit for a few min, then start and they work again for a bit. This is overall very dangerous and surprising that we have not been in an accident or received a ticket yet! I am a active member on a Crown Victoria forum, and with little searching on that site or google you will see tons of reports of this being a very common problem on the 2003-2005 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Mercury marauder. With the help of other members on that forum it was found to be a faulty lcm(lighting control module) which has a problem with overheating lighting relays. The only way to remedy this problem is to purchase a new lcm for anywhere between $250 and $600 with no guarantee how long that part will last. I actually purchased a new one today. Very expensive fix just for the use of headlights, but I value my families safety more. I will be keeping my old lcm to possibly have it repaired for when my new part fails again. Thanks so much.

- St. Joseph, MN, USA

My 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis began experiencing headlight failure over a period of months, with both lower beams randomly going off and then after several minutes or hours coming back on. Other internal lights and light sensors continued to work normally. This happened several times while driving on an unlighted road at night, creating a dangerous situation, unable to see the road ahead or other cars seeing me coming. NHTSA action number PE08066 describes a similar problems caused by a defective printed circuit board in the light control module (lcm), resulting in several thousand warranty claims. In fact, this has been determined to be the defective part on my car, which has now been replaced by a Ford dealer at a cost of $511.07 for the lcm plus $184.97 labor and tax. Ford advises me that my car was not in the recall campaign, but obviously it has developed the same problem. An upgraded part lcm has been developed by Ford for replacement. I believe I should have been notified of this earlier for replacement so I would not have experienced this dangerous situation. The ODI investigation was closed 3/24/09. I believe it should be reopened as dealers tell me that they replace "lots" of these modules. I have retained the defective lcm for analysis.

- Searcy, AR, USA

While driving my 2003 Mercury marquis one evening, my headlights went out. I tried turning the switch on the dashboard to the headlight position because originally it was on the sensor position, but they didn't come back on. No matter what I did, they remained off. From that night on, my headlights work sporadically. Sometimes they'll come on right away and then go out while driving. Sometimes they'll come on in the daylight with the switch in the off position. It's very scary when you're driving down a back country road where there's no street lights and your headlights go out. The only way I could get light was to hold back on the high beam lever. That was weird too because the high beams wouldn't work when I put the lever in the on position, only when I pulled back on the lever which puts the high beams on for as long as you hold the lever. One night I drove for about 5 miles and the headlights stayed on the whole time. There's just no knowing when they're going to work, and if they do, how long they'll stay on. I understand it's going to be very expensive to fix the problem, but I don't have $800 so haven't had it repaired yet. I just don't drive after dark, which is very inconvenient!

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

I have a 2003 Grand Marquis gs, the headlights started turning off for no particular reason. This is extremely dangerous; one time I had a car full of children and the lights went out on a back road, I almost drove into a tree. I had to ride home with the highbeams on. It turns out that its an expensive part and a very common complaint for this model; why is there not a recall, we could have been injured and if so many complaints are being filed why is nothing being done?

- Jenlintown, PA, USA

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

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

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

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

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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- Mobile, AL, USA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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