NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,250 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.

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis lights problems

lights problem

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1996 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments

problem #12

Feb 252023

Grand Marquis

  • 225,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH the instrument panel began started flashing off and on before going black. The contact stated that he was headed to an off ramp the head lights stopped functioning. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had stopped driving the vehicle for several days and then tested the head lights and stated that the functionality had returned. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 182023

Grand Marquis

  • 210,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable. While driving for approximately 30 more miles and exiting the off ramp, the headlights started to flicker. The headlights momentarily worked but then became inoperable again. The instrument panel warning lights illuminated and were flashing. The contact also detected an abnormal clicking noise from the steering column. The contact stated that the windshield wipers became stuck in the on position. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012003

Grand Marquis

  • miles
While driving at night the head lights were very dim. It looked as if there were no lights on the vehicle. The consumer had to drive with the high beams on to see. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. They told the consumer the vehicle was out of warranty.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 182001

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumer states that the headlight plastic lens are discoloring and causes poor visibility when driving at night. Dealer and the manufacturer has been notified. Consumer stated that the headlight plastic lenses had progressively lost their translucent quality. This condition caused a continual deterioration and decrease in lens performance and their ability to transmit light as required.

- North Andover, MA, USA

problem #8

Jun 152002

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
The headlight lens covers are plastic.the heat from the halogen bulbs has discolored the lens to such a degree that illumination of the highway is negligible. Subsequent uear models have been replaced with glass headlight lenses, an obvious recognition of the problem with plastic..I am surprised that this has not been a recall item as every 1996 Grand Marquis I have seen has the same problem as confirmed by their owner's.. this should not be an item that an owner should have to pay for replacing.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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problem #7

May 151996

Grand Marquis

  • miles
The low beam head light is like driving with parking lightsnot enough light to drive by. The company is aware of problem. My husband seen a letter from company sent to dealers explaining and saying they may get complaints from owners. They offer no options to correct the problem. We have given up night driving when at all possible because we can not see to drive on our low beams.

- Ceres, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 032000

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles

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

Low beam headlights are useless on asphalt highways especally in the rain. Parking lights are brighter. Low beam headlight assembly has a shield over the low beam bulb, it blocks too much light. Problem is so serious a recall is in order.

- Hurricane, WV, USA

problem #5

May 211999

Grand Marquis

  • miles
Headlights do not relect enough light when used on low beam. The problem has been reported. The dealer/ manufacturer are aware of the problem. A solution has not been determined at this time.

- Kingston, OK, USA

problem #4

Feb 191999

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Headlights are very dimm, will only shine to 100 feet, causing poor visibility.dealer claims that this is a characteristic of the vehicle.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #3

Sep 011996

Grand Marquis

  • miles
Head lamps very dim, not appropriate illumination.

- Freeville, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 291997

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
During normal night conditions and in rain experienced headlight failure. When turning on the high beams, the lights cuts off then switch to the low beams. The lights comes back on.

- Branford, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 181996

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Low beam light inadequate, causing poor visibility.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

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