NHTSA — Exterior Lighting Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,676 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.

2003 Mercury Grand Marquis lights problems

lights problem

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2003 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments (Page 7 of 9)

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problem #53

Mar 052012

Grand Marquis

  • 109,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the exterior front headlights would fail sporadically and without warning. The contact would have to keep the high beam headlights activated at all times in order to see properly at night. A local mechanic repaired the failure numerous times, but the failure would recur. The dealer was in the process of replacing the manual light switch and the fuses. The vehicle was in the process of repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 109,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Tapica, KS, USA

problem #52

Nov 182011

Grand Marquis

  • 74,000 miles
I'm now 3 for 3 failures with the lighting control module on model and year car. Initial failure mileage was 74000, current mileage 75500. Intermittant lighting failures. Problem is now so bad car can not be driven more than 10-15 minutes at night before lights fail to illuminate. I've replaced the lcm on one 2003 crown vic, one 2003 merc, and now our other 2003 merc. Other night, I almost hit deer A/C I had no lights! this vehicle has not yet been repaired, but must be soon, as problem has been escallating. As junk yards are out of parts locally (I do not use part 3W7T-13C788-ah as that is the defective one! I use ag - everything will work but map lights and this lcm will not fail.) I will have to likely get one out of the area. So, my experience on this vehicle/year is 100% part failure. Somehow, I think my sample size of 3 is statistically significant!

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #51

Dec 012011

Grand Marquis

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was driving approximately 70 mph with the headlights activated and unexpectedly the headlights failed to illuminate. Immediately, the high beam headlights were engaged and the vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact turned the engine off and restarted. The headlight control device was turned manually while driving in order for the low beam headlights to operate. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. There was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number PE08066 (exterior lighting: Headlights) which was closed in March 24, 2009. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Sulphur Springs, TX, USA

problem #50

Aug 102011

Grand Marquis

  • 55,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact as driving 70 mph when the head lights failed without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur sporadically and the lights would re-illuminate after several moments. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.

- Brunswick , GA, USA

problem #49

Dec 232011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
Head lights when off. I turned them to the auto setting and they would work for a short time and go off. Then they wouldn't work no mater were you set them. Wiper came on by themselves and I had to pull the fuse to stop them, when I needed the wipers I have to replace the fuse. Then when I try to turn them off they stop in the drivers view if they stop at all. Sometimes they would work right and then not at all. The wiper water pump would not work either. Now it's working again.

- Sulphur Springs, TX, USA

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problem #48

Dec 122011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 84,700 miles
The head lights will turn off while driving. They will then go back on after an indeterminate period of time. It makes no difference whether the light control switch on the dash is on automatic or not. This may happen any number of times even during a short trip. The problem is the lighting control module for which Ford has a newly designed part, but no recall or service bulletin. Needless to say it is an obvious safety issue to have your lights go out and lose all forward visibility, especially on a rainy night. I don't understand why there has not been a recall on such an obvious safety hazard.

- Ijamsville, MD, USA

problem #47

Oct 192010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

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

While driving at dusk on my way home (with my 5 year old little girl!), my headlights shut off without warning! we were fortunate that several drivers in the oncoming lane were concerned and conscientious and flashed their high beams to signal that something was wrong. Deductively, I ruled out my lights being off because the switch was on. That was until the traffic light turned red and I saw no reflection on the back of the car in front of me! I flipped the switch off then back on again to see if it was a bad connection in the switch or perhaps it was between positions and would possibly work if I repositioned it. No good! ugh, the light went green! I nervously pulled at the bright light selector to see if they worked! just in time to barely miss the SUV that obviously did not see us!!! I did not let it go until we were safe at home!!! phew!!! I guess now would be the time to change my pants!

- Plainview , NY, USA

problem #46

May 172010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
The headlights go out, apparently the lcm module has failed. They will come back on intermittently. When the lights are out the driver has to hold the high beam switch for lighting. Ford ought to voluntarily replace the lcm modules.

- Fowlerville, MI, USA

problem #45

Oct 282010

Grand Marquis

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was driving 5 mph when the headlights illuminated erroneously. The contact stated that the lights would sporadically fail when engaged. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current failure was 89,000.

- Port Washington, NY, USA

problem #44

Oct 012010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
Headlights randomly turn off while driving. Lighting control module is defective.

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

problem #43

May 142011

Grand Marquis

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights would intermittently stop illuminating, moments after being turned on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the auto lamp switch failed. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 141,289.

- Holiday, FL, USA

problem #42

Jul 042011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 49,400 miles
Complete headlite failure. Faulty lighting control module. Traveling highway speed. Now, I understand that Mercury are no longer being made. How will a recall take place when vehicle make and model are no longer being manufactured ? there's no incentive. Ford dealers know how to stick it to you really good with no guarantee on electrical parts.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #41

Jun 052011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 86,850 miles
Complete headlight failure - this is second occurrence for family - other was in 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. Same problem - lighting control module. Problem is still in part number 3W7C-1788-ah for 2003 model year. Mileage at failure was 86850. "found" by having someone else flash that my lights weren't on on way home from event. They were on when car started. Was 10 miles from home at a late dusk, made home w/O incident. Also have another 2003 Mercury and I guess I'm waiting for it to fail too! (perhaps I should get the part now?) 2003 Ford sold to friend. Part acquired (ag letters- staying away from ah - same part with failure in both our 2003's) from junkyard - first 5 appropriate cars were missing the lcm - and a guy in the field asked if we were looking for a lcm? this is a well known defect. Both old parts still in posession.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #40

Jun 022011

Grand Marquis

  • 113,057 miles
Sept '10 driving to work at 530 am on a rural road, no street lights, doing speed limit 60 mph head lights suddenly went off, headlights dash lights and parking light.. replaced headlight control module. Lights worked good until June 2nd 2011.. started car up with auto headlights on lights should have come but only parking lights. I pulled back on turn signal stalk high beams work..if I put the regular high beams on no nothing..slapped under dash near the headlight control module and lights started working. Now I have to buy another module..if Ford was paying for it they would find a fix for it..time for a recall..

- Fort Myers , FL, USA

problem #39

Jan 292011

Grand Marquis

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving approximately 55 mph all of the exterior lights were not functioning. The contact drove onto the side of the road, shut the engine off and restarted the vehicle in order for the lights to function. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that he purchased a headlight control switch from the manufacturer and replaced the part himself. The failure continued to occur. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage 115,000.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #38

Apr 042011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
I own a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The problem started with my headlights flicking on and off while driving at night and quickly progressed to turning off and not coming back on at all. I replaced the dashboard headlight control and they worked for about a week and then they started turning off again while driving but if I flicked my high beams they would come back on for about 15 min or so and go back off. After a couple of days of that they just quit working at all. Once again I replaced the dashboard switch to no avail.

- Purvis, MS, USA

problem #37

Mar 092011

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact was driving approximately 55 to 60 mph when the head lights and the instrument panel lights failed without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that the electronic control module failed and that he would be replacing the component himself. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 48,000. The lighting module was replaced. Updated 09/16/11

- Springfield , MO, USA

problem #36

Oct 012010

Grand Marquis

  • 160,000 miles
The automatic external lights go off or do not turn on at all.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #35

Nov 292010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Headlights failed while driving at night, shortly after starting, 2-5 minutes. This happened with the light control in automatic or in manual modes. After pulling off of road in traffic, the lights began working within 2 or 3 minutes, apparently this is a common defect in this auto.

- Dillsburg, PA, USA

problem #34

Nov 072010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
While driving on a back road on my way home from work, headlights went out and could not be turned back on. Headlights were in the auto mode when they went out, I switched to manual while braking so not to hit anything hard and they did not come back on. I pulled over and parked. I tried them again in about five minutes and they worked for about 10 minutes and then did the same thing. I have not had the car looked at yet, but on the internet found several similar stories and believe it is the light control module. I am shocked there has not been a recall based on all the complaints online about the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, I'm glad I wasn't asleep at the wheel when this happened to me! please do something about this, it is a serious problem!!!

- Sagamore, MA, USA

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