NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,066 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.

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis lights problems

lights problem

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1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments

problem #7

Mar 012005

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

The contact states there is clouding in the headlight lenses. The headlights do not appear to be bright as they should be.

- Slydell, LA, USA

problem #6

Jun 012005

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
The headlight surrounds (clear plastic pod that enclose the headlight bulbs) on many Ford and Mercury model cars and trucks turn from "clear" to a fogged up "milky-white", reducing severally the amount of light that can reach the road in front of the affected vehicle, thereby creating a serious safety hazard. Other companies such as Honda use plastic around their headlight bulbs and their plastic stays clear allowing headlight bulbs to properly light up the road. I have contacted Ford by E-mail, several times to ask for any help they would offer-from replacement to free install: They sent out computer generated "form" letters and totally ignored my safety problem. There must be a million Ford product cars and trucks affected the same way (I can barely see in front of the vehicle).

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 222004

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,465 miles
Headlight assembly covers on this model only, fogs over (internally) and lens can not be cleaned. Dealer informs me the only way to correct discrepancy is to replace entire piece at a rate of about $500.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #4

Mar 162004

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

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

The issue is a dramatic decrease in headlight candlepower on the Mercury Grand Marquis as the vehicle ages that can only be repaired by replacing integral components of the vehicles body for $500 or more in cost. This is not due to aging bulbs but due to a design flaw in the vehicle's headlight covers. The plastic headlight cover clouds with age and cannot be replaced without replacing large body components of the vehicle. This issue will lead to traffic accidents with the most likely type being with pedestrians. The reason I highlight pedestrians is due to the fact other motor vehicles have lights that will help Grand Marquis drivers avoid an accident. However, pedestrians do not have lights and the diminished headlight candlepower of the Grand Marquis will make people on our streets very difficult to see and thus susceptible to being struck by a Grand Marquis. Its unreasonable to require $500 to simply maintain you headlights. In addition, this issue becomes more of a problem as the vehicle ages due to the fact it ends up in the hands of folks least likely to have $500 to fix the issue. This issue requires a manufacturer recall and repair due to design flaws and pedestrian safety concerns.

- Woodbine, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 011998

Grand Marquis

  • miles
The low dimmer light is too dim, causing visual difficulty which may result in a crash. The occupant had to replace the bulb in order to see. Manufacturer would not fix the problem, but said it was the characteristic of the headlights.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

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problem #2

Sep 271999

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
Low beams too dim to drive!! must use high beams to drive safely. Worst lighting in any car driven in 40 years

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 081999

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
Power steering pump went out. Lights were blinking on and off for three days.

- Ventura, CA, USA

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