NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,516 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.

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis electrical problems

electrical problem

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2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Nov 042013

Grand Marquis

  • 105,000 miles

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

I was traveling down the highway at 55 when I noticed my headlights were not reflecting off the road signs. I pulled over and checked my lights and noticed I only had parking lights not headlights at all. I got back in the car and tried the light switch but nothing came on. I had to have the car towed and was told the lcm lighting control module has failed. At a cost of 400 dollars. Safety hazard Ford knows about but is doing nothing about it.

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #16

Aug 222013

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 48,031 miles
While driving pa turnpike headlights cut off with no warning or any"flickering",replace, bulbs & fuses. Didn't help.. the headlights would not work on auto or manual. The only way we were able to safely get off highway was holding bright lite switch forward. This issue has made recalls of "certain models and certain, but not mine"?? why aren't marquis and crown vic, that are"outside" the recall car list, that have the same problem included???is it because not enough people injured or died?? so I'm stuck with a car I can only drive during the day !!! wth? I live on disability and was told it was a thousand dollar repair... why wouldn't Mercury consider cars "outside" the recall years be treated like they were part of the recall, since all the symptoms are the same?" the dealer made me feel like I was trying to rip him off or scam him. The headlights cut off and back on at their discretion.. I don't fell safe driving my, fairly low mileage car(well maintained).don't believe I'll be driving Ford products after this. If Ford would at least help those of us out here, by making the lcm sold to us at a free/at cost, pricing !I feel that would be fair. I'm sure many cars not having this problem don't need "recalled". I would have thought Ford would be honest enough to stand by their products, and address this safety issue?! mail me one and I'll put it in...thank you

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #15

Aug 162013

Grand Marquis

  • 41,322 miles
While driving home with my wife and granddaughter my wipers started to go on in delay mood and my lights turned on.I was shocked at this because my wiper switch was in the off setting and my light switch was in auto setting and it was a bright sunny day.after about ten or 15 minutes the wipers stopped and lights went out.a few day later I was going to the store and it started all over wipers staying on in the delay mood and this time did not stop.I call my brother in Florida whom is a auto tech and he told me that it seemed like the multifuction switch and told me to change it out which I did.it did not resolve the issue and the car remains down due to this issue.there is only 42300 on this car which my father gave me as a gift and he bought it new from leominster Lincoln mecury and I feel this issue is a safety problem which could lead to complete wiper failing or worse a car fire from some defective system that controls this wiper system.car remains down as of the writing of this report.due to myself being disabled and on S/S disability I do not have the money to fix this problem because I feel a dealer service tech should take this issue from here.I have disconected the battey and the car now sits in my driveway.

- Leominster, MA, USA

problem #14

Feb 122013

Grand Marquis

  • 30,035 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the instrument panel malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,035 and the current mileage was 30,050.

- West Burlington, IA, USA

problem #13

Dec 312012

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving approximately 50 mph, the headlights suddenly failed. The headlights became operable within ten minutes. The malfunction occurred four times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice for the same failure. The second time a diagnostic test was performed, the technician stated the computer chip needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000..... updated 03-28-13 the consumer stated at no time when the lights went off did an indicator on the dash board come on. The dealer advised the lighting control module needed to be replaced. Updated 04/09/2013

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #12

Jul 282012

Grand Marquis

  • 103,000 miles
My mother-in-law has a 2004 Grand Marquis & last night when she started the car to go home after visiting us, the headlights would not come on at all....additionally, the interior lights have come on all by themselves intermittently, and consequently, the battery is drained each time it happens. The interior problem may or may not fix itself by starting/shutting off/opening/closing door. All I did was type "2004 Mercury Grand Marquis" in yahoo search & a multitude of similar problems came up in the results: All stating a defective light control module (lcm). I am going to take the one out of her car today & take it apart & inspect it for cracked ("cold solder") solder joints as almost anything with a pc board ( (made in the last 25 years especially) tends to develop cracked solder because they are made cheaply by using as little solder possible to hold the joint together (when new, anyways). Yet another cheap, modern junk electronic item pumped out in bulk by the thousands that the manufacturer will not support, unless it fails within the warranty period! I cannot believe Ford Motor Company won't issue a recall for this problem as it is not an isolated problem, according to my research! maybe once someone dies in a car wreck from the lights going out while they're going down a freeway @ 70mph, someone will get a good lawyer and sue the pants off of Ford Motor Company!! class action lawsuit, anybody?

- Elizabethton, TN, USA

problem #11

Sep 052011

Grand Marquis

  • 61,000 miles

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

Lights went out while driving down a major highway, only brights would work, then they went off. After clicking them off and on they came back on for a while, then off again. What a dangerous situation this is!! please do a recall on this as I have seen numerous complaints about this happening to people. I can not go anywhere at night in my car, only trust daytime driving now!

- Jennings, LA, USA

problem #10

Jul 012011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
The headlights failed during operation of the vehicle while in light rain at night in town. I did not notice the lights failed, on coming traffic flashed their lights to tell me my lights were off. Pulling over to the curb I wiggled the cabling under the dash and the lights came on, I then proceeded to move again and the light went off. After a few attempts of wiggling the cabling near the lem module the lights stayed on enough to return to my home. This has been an on going situation with the lights, and I have been on the internet to troubleshoot this fault in the Ford motor vehicles. That this problem has been reported with out a recall is appalling. The location of the failed unit most likely is the reason for service mechanic estimates of $700 to $1500 to replace this part. One only has to go on the internet and write the 2004 lighting problem and see the lem module has a un-going product failure.

- Oberlin, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 062011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 34,234 miles
My Mercury marquis is unsafe! both of my night-time headlights went out at the same time. All other lights work fine inside and out. The head-lights now only work if I hold the high-beam bar, however, they do not work if I let go of the control bar. I drive my vehicle very little, and mostly during the day; however, I do take 70 mph interstate highway trips returning at night. There is no fuse for the head lights or the light control module in either the fuse box above the brake pedal, or under the hood. Further investigation reveals that the head light fuse is inside the light control module which is located under the dash above the gas-pedal. Also, I've learned that even when this lcm unit is replace, that a new lcm unit can be defective also. Common sense dictates that something electrical is causing the fuse to blow in the unit. I believe this indicates a looming fire hazard about to happen. Overheating the electrical system from where" if I would elect to have the lcm unit modified with a larger interior fuse, I fear this is not a solution either. Ford needs to find the source of the problem that is blowing this fuse even in the new units. The installation at the dealership is $700 or above. The market price of the lcm unit is $90. Fords needs to recall and replace this lcm unit for an indefinite period; however, since they are making a bunch of money replacing them, and no one has gotten killed yet, will they" I fear replacing the unit this week, an the new one failing and me, suddenly with no headlights possibly running over a pedestrian, or crashing on the interstate and me or someone dying. This problem makes my Mercury absolutely unsafe !!! I want an indefinite recall of this unit, and for Ford to find and repair the cause of the unit failing.

- Destin, FL, USA

problem #8

May 052011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 92,350 miles
When driving at night the low beam headlights go out while vehicle is in motion. This failure is unpredictable and leaves the driver literally "in the dark" with the vehicle moving at whatever speed and direction it is going at. This is definitely a serious safety issue as my research has found that this is a common failure of the vehicle's "light control module" (lcm). Further research reveals that the Ford / Mercury automotive dealerships maintain a ready stock of this part for replacement at the hefty average price of $ $700. Given the severity of this safety issue it is difficult to understand why there has been no apparent action by NHTSA to require a recall by the manufacturer. This failure recurs frequently and unpredictably.

- West Cape May, NJ, USA

problem #7

Mar 212011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 112,800 miles

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

Headlights go out while driving. They will stay off for a 2 or 3 min. And will come back on for a while, then go off again. I have had the light go off in a 5 mile drive 4 times. This is very dangerous. I have not had a crash, but was pulled over by the police. I have replaced one part, the multi-purpose switch and it had no effect on the lights. After several days of research I believe the cause is the light control module, this part runs from 400 to over 700 dollars. I am on a fixed income and do not have the money to fix this problem. Ford should be the one to replace the part. The headlight switch has nothing to do with the lights going out. Since the purchase date the switch was on auto, after changing the M-P switch I put the headlights on manual on/off. This problem has being going on for over 2 months. The problem has not been fixed. No funds.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #6

Mar 082011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 88,670 miles
Loss of headlights while night driving. This happened on two different occasions. Correction required was the replacement of the lighting control module (lcm) on a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis gs ($512,00). We understand this problem entails 2000 to 2007 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury marquis models only, and Ford Motor Co, has received numerous complaints about this happening but refuses to issue a recall notice.

- Spofford, NH, USA

problem #5

Oct 092006

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that since 2008, the headlights would turn off intermittently. The lights would turn on once the doors were opened but when the vehicle was started, they would turn off. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the failure was caused by the computer which was replaced. However, the failure occurred again. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000 and the current mileage was approximately 110,000. Updated 02/23/11 the consumer stated the inside lights went out as well. Updated 05/09/11

- Neosho, MO, USA

problem #4

Aug 292010

Grand Marquis

  • 49,500 miles
Headlights went out while driving the vehicle. This was on a dark, dark, 2 lane country road with little or no shoulder. Using the high beam "hold" function light would come on high beam. Working switches would not bring lights back on. Checking lights later, found lights would go out within 5 mins - stay out for less than 5 mins and then repeat. Repair was the lcm module which dealer charged aprox. $700 to fix. Very dangerous and scary! tail lights did stay on.

- New Boston, MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 052009

Grand Marquis

  • 100,600 miles
Light controler shuts lights off at night while driving. The only way to get lights to drive with is to hold dircetional signial handel up with one hand and drive with the other.

- Middletown, DE, USA

problem #2

Jun 062009

Grand Marquis

  • 96,500 miles
While driving at night with the headlight switch in the automatic selection the headlights went out. This was on June 6, 2009, at 11:00 P. M. then on June 27, 2009, at 9:10 P. M. while turning onto an interstate highway the headlights went out again. This time the headlight selection switch was in the manual mode. Both time the highbeam selection switch was pulled and after a 15 to 20 minute period the headlights came back on.

- South Windsor, CT, USA

problem #1

Mar 212009

Grand Marquis

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 50 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke coming from the lighting control module. He pulled the vehicle over and opened the hood. The horn began to sound, so he disconnected the battery. The fire department arrived and a report was filed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to an electrical issue. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the lighting control module box was repaired. The dealer stated that they were unaware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 79,000.

- Denim Springs, LA, USA

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