Driving around a bend on a dark county highway in southern NJ, no street lights. My headlights go out and wont come back on. Since my steering is stiff, I almost wrapped myself around a tree. Thank god, I have good brakes and driving on brand new tires on a dry road or I would be dead right now. My mechanic has always claimed that the stiff steering is a common problem & a manufacturing defect, but cost prohibitive for me to fix. When I took the car today, he said it was definitely the lighting control module ($600 part). He was unaware of the chronic problem that is happening as of late with the lcm's in 2003 marquis. I think you guys closed the case too early on the lcm's, the complaints boards all over the internet about this problem are increasing in frequency. Combined with extremely stiff steering, headlights going out randomly is a recipe for disaster.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

Head lights would not come on when we tried to return to our hotel in yankton sd. Head lights are intermittent going to work during morning drive in Lincoln ne. Morning sun is bright enough so not a safety hazard. We can not trust vehicle to drive at night. Went to beatrice Ford, beatrice ne to get fixed but were told lcm module is on back order. 8-22-2014.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

I was driving at early dawn when I realized in some shadier areas the headlights weren't working. I pulled over and confirmed this. I thought that instances of intermittent headlight failure the week before was a misperception on my part. I had received a letter from Ford weeks earlier; Ford has indeed confirmed this problem is due to their lighting control module, so much so that Ford's letter claims that the company will cover replacement for an additional 5 years. My car's module has now failed completely. I am unsure in how many earlier instances, especially in semi-lighter environments where it was less perceptible to me, this intermittent headlight failure put both myself and other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists around me in real danger. The failure of my car's module has since been confirmed by my local dealer. In addition, I contacted Ford directly. However, affected drivers, as well as potential future owners, both of whom have and will pose a danger to others, have not and will not have a remedy any time soon, according to Ford, despite their letter. Ford dealer and regional managers suggest that the part is out of stock indefinitely. Future drivers will have no remedy to their cars' unsafe conditions. An allusion has been made to some unsanctioned, uncovered, and pricey, unreimbursable fix with no guarantee of success, hence to guarantee of safety either. Worse still, Ford has categorized this issue as one not entitled to rental assistance despite their "covered" failed part being responsible. States' inspection processes will fail any vehicle exhibiting this clearly unsafe issue. The commonwealth will deem my unsafe and unroadworthy this month, leaving me with no recourse. And with no relief expected from the manufacturer, any other car suffering this failure will meet with the same fate. What is the worth of being "covered" without a safe fix?

- Topsfield, MA, USA

Cannot get lights to work, pulled over by police (twice)going down the road, and didnt know lights were out. They come and go. Police said to do something like take it to dealer. They told me I was to fail auto inspection for this on the spot. Dealer says they want to test for a week and then they say they cant get parts. If I got to court one mre time or car is impounded I am seking my attorney. This is a safety defect with dangerous and negligent consequences.

- Greenville, TX, USA

Letter from congressman jones on behalf of constituent regarding a problem she has encountered with her 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Motor Company; attn: William moore. The consumer received a customer satisfaction program notice, regarding a potential problem may exist with the electronic module, that supplied power to the headlights, may fail.

- Winterville, NC, USA

Lights would not turn on at night. Had to hold the bright light handle on steering column up to drive home. Checked fuses for left headlamp and right headlamp. They were good. Have been told the problem is a lighting module that cost up to $600 dollars to replace.

- Sumrall, MS, USA

Customer satisfaction program by Ford, #14N01: They (Ford) tell me in a letter that my headlights may fail without any notice of a problem. They (Ford) know this is not only possible, but that it has happened numerous times already. There are blogs that speak to this issue. If it is the function of your department to protect consumers then please do so. This is potentially a deadly safety issue..... if there is even the slightest chance this could happen I don't understand why this department has not rectified it and made Ford recall these vehicles.

- Napa, CA, USA

Headlamps turned off while driving down dark highway at night!!! only able to make high beam lamps work by pulling turn signal lever back and holding in that position. Low beam and high beam do not work, only high beam when manually held on. Should be recalled!!! very dangerous!!!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

The headlights on my 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis have stopped working. This has been an intermittent problem. The most recent issue left my wife and mother in law stranded along the roadside. The first time I thought it was the switch in the steering column because after working the blinkers the lights started working. The next time my wife was driving on the interstate highway and the lights just went off at interstate speeds. It seems this is a common issue and has stranded others.

- Trenton, OH, USA

While driving to work at 3:15am my headlights went out without working causing me to pull onto the should er of the highway. Lights would not come back on regardless of what I did at that moment. The only way to get lights was to pull the level back on the steering column in order to drive with the high beams on. The lights would only stay on with the lever held back until I reached my work. This has know happened with daily frequency which now has deemed my car undrivable after dusk until I get this fixed. From the research I have conducted, this appears to be a very common issue on the Ford Crown Victoria as well as the Mercury Grand Marquis. I was very fortunate that I was in an area that allowed me to get my car off the highway without incident but this may not be the case for the next driver who experiences the failure of the light control module for these vehicles.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. Also, the contact stated that the headlights would fail sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the lower steering shaft was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.

- Dover Plains, NY, USA

While driving, lights turn off by themselves. It can be 3 minutes from departure they turn off or longer. They just don't stay on. Try to turn on manually and will not turn on. If I drive long enough they come on by themselves. Dangerous when on street with no lighting and oncoming traffic at night or driving next to trailer rigs who do not know my vehicle is on their right or left. Have read on internet many others have this issue with Ford products and other years.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

The contact owns 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was driving 55 mph when the headlights failed and could not be reactivated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

Driving on Florida highway #70 headlights went out and only high beams worked while holding them on (pulling handle toward me). I am 75 and a female, I was very upset having to drive 24 miles home in this way!

- Lake Placid, FL, USA

Driving down interstate, headlamps went off unexpectedly without any adjusting of auto lamp feature. Only able to get high beams to come on when holding the stalk to the on position. Very dangerous. Next startup lights working fine....until they don't when you are on the highway and at highway speed...certainly a hazard especially for night-shift worker. Cant believe Ford doesn't think this is a safety issue.

- Waddy, KY, USA

Headlights went off while driving.

- Newfane, NY, USA

Driving down the road and the headlights went out. All other lights work fine, but the headlights work intermittently. I have to use the bright lights and hold the switch while driving in order to be able to drive at night and that is just crazy. I'm blinding everyone I pass and it's very hard to drive that way.

- Rossville, GA, USA

At 69000 miles the lighting control module, climate control module, restraint control module stopped functioning. All at the same time. Odd they all go out at the same time. Safety issue.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

While driving down the hwy my headlights went off then back on, then off. This is a known problem with what Ford Motor Company calls the lcm (lighting control module) which they have determined was due to in part to poor sodering at manufacturing. There are thousands of the complaints filed, with the same issue. I cannot drive me car at night in fear of loosing lighting as they come on and off sporadically. Why has no recall been issued. I was informed by dealer they are all aware of this issue as well. The part costs $499 plus labor. (who can afford this, better yet Ford needs to own up) this eventually is going to lead to vehicle loss of control with consumers, and fatalities I am afraid, just as the Ford Explorer did... please have the nhtsb investigate this further, and make Ford mo. Company due a mandatory recall. This is a very serious issue I'm afraid, and the consumer is having to pay the price for Ford negligence. Any insight into this investigation is greatly appreciated. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Driving down the highway at night and the headlights went out for no reason causing me to have to hold the high beams for the rest of the trip. Safety hazard.

- West Springfield, MA, USA