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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Oct 292020

Grand Marquis

  • miles

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

Catalytic converter FAIL, engine idles rough while in park. HIGH Loss of engine power while driving Differentials in back tires are imbalanced-€¦timing FAIL. Steering not calibrated, drivetrain out of sync altogether. Back wheels, left and right; randomly spin & torque hard while car is already in motion on any private road, hidden road, domestic road and high capacity, high speed highway, causing vehicle to fishtail uncontrollably and dangerously, and wildly side to side potentially veering off the road which could result in death unless the driver regains proper control of vehicle. Out of sync car computer and the mechanical devices built into car do not have proper timing performed on those particular moving parts altogether. The car was not manufactured properly mechanically nor electrically altogether. Headlights & electric system etc have an incomplete recall on my vehicle. [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #36

Nov 202020

Grand Marquis

  • 130,000 miles
Sometimes the headlights flick on and off while driving. Then when the car is turned off, there is a clicking noise in the driver side dashboard that continues until it drains the battery. Also, sometimes the door locks cycle open or closed whether the car is driving or off. This has happened multiple times and caused me to replace the battery, and still I have to jump the car from time to time. This has happened several times over the past few years, but only now have I found this site to report it to.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

problem #35

Nov 102018

Grand Marquis

  • 108,200 miles
Lcm (lighting control module) recall from 2015. I bought the car in March of 2016 and the dealer failed to take advantage of the recall before I purchased the car.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #34

Apr 082018

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • miles

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

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement from a recall notice from Ford regarding a safety issue with the lighting control module.

- Elma, NY, USA

problem #33

Mar 202018

Grand Marquis

  • 99,976 miles
The headlights went out on my car while driving home in a snow storm. When I took my vechile to pepboys to find out whats wrong. They said it was the lighting control module that can only be repaired at Ford dealership. They also stated it was a recall on this. When I took it to Ford they said their was no recall on the module. I am unable to drive my vechile, I cant get to work. Which I am in jeopardy of losing my job. If this is on recall why wont Ford fix my car. It put me and my children in harms way of almost crashing trying to make it home.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #32

Nov 012017

Grand Marquis

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that there was a recall for the lighting control module concerning NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting). The dealer (autonation Ford jacksonville, 10720 philips hwy, jacksonville, fl 32256, (904) 242-6499) was contacted, but was unable to determine when the part would be supplied from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed to function, which caused the contact to apply the high beams each time the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #31

Sep 012016

Grand Marquis

  • 62,000 miles

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

I have had more problems with my 2004 Grand Marquis, the lights don't work, headlights go off while driving at night, airbags don't work, electrical, seats, steering, brakes, all of the electrical, catalytic convertor keeps going out, also engine problems, among many other things. I was in an accident, where my steering didn't work properly and I was hit by someone, not my fault, but my car ended up spinning so bad that I hit my head off of the steering and received injuries, ,party in other car was not injured. I was also driving at night on the highway and my lights went out, I was hit from behind.. but also, because of my headlights and steering this has been happening, air bags, never deploy... received some serious injuries, banged my knew also very badly.

- Marshfield, MA, USA

problem #30

Jun 122017

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,846 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting). Hempstead Ford (301 N franklin St, hempstead, NY 11550, (516) 483-7200) indicated that they provided the recall remedy; however, the contact stated that the low beams, high beams, and daytime running lights failed to function. The failure progressed for years with no solution from the manufacturer. The dealer did not specify what part was replaced and indicated that the turn signals also failed to function. The contact informed the dealer and showed them that the turn signals functioned improperly, but they failed to provide a remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting for a solution. Updated 10/17/17

- Queens Village, NY, USA

problem #29

Jun 282016

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 87,773 miles
MY HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY, DON'T KNOW WHEN IT GOING TO HAPPEN. IT CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND ANY DRIVER AROUND ME ON THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENING. FORD SENT ME NOTICE OF RECALL TWICE IN TWO YEARS BUT, NO PARTS AVAILABLE TILL THEY CALL. DO I HAVE TO CRASH BEFORE THEY GET THE PARTS OR THEY WAITING FOR MY CAR TO DIE BEFORE IT IS FIXED. A BIG GAMBLE ON FORDS PART. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #28

Apr 012016

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights would intermittently become dim without warning. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 177,000...updated 05/02/16

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #27

Jan 192015

Grand Marquis

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving approximately 55 mph at night, the low beam headlights, tail lights, and instrument cluster failed to illuminate. In addition, the high beam headlights were inoperative. The vehicle was driven cautiously with the hazard warning lights activated. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting); however, the remedy involved the replacement of the lighting control module and not the other components that failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #26

Dec 102014

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 49,564 miles
Headlights go out unexpectedly and w/O warning. This has happened at all different speeds, in a parking lot 5-10mph, on roadway 30-45mph and on the highway65-70mph. Lights will come back on just as unexpectedly w/O apparent cause. Have shut down and restarted car with no effect, turned light switch on/off, no effect and then they will turn on after several minutes while parked. Sometimes the lights will turn on and off several times before staying light.

- Kc, MO, USA

problem #25

Apr 092013

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the front passenger side window switch was inoperable. The switch was previously replaced twice. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 11/21/14 updated 8/13/2015

- Miller Place, NY, USA

problem #24

Sep 012014

Grand Marquis

  • miles
2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlights turn off randomly and consumer unable to turn them back on. The consumer stated the part needed, was on a 3 month back order.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #23

Jul 192014

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
Headlights would not light had to hold the dimmer switch to flash. What is the potential cost of a fatality due to the headlights going out while driving down the road" wakeup Ford.... don't you see the big picture or are your lights out too"!!!!

- Moravia, NY, USA

problem #22

Apr 172014

Grand Marquis

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated whenever the air conditioner mechanism was activated the air failed to flow through the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air conditioner control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Jonesville, SC, USA

problem #21

Apr 082010

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • miles
I have paid over 500 bucks the first time for the lighting control module. I had my headlights cut off on me while I was driving one day more than 3 years ago. I had tommy vaghun in houston tx repair it. Now I have the same problem again. This is a part that is very expenisve to repair. I have no clue what the problem is that makes this happen. This is a vehicle safety issue with no doubt. This should be a problem that Ford pays for the repairs. I can not drive anywhere at night with out the lights turning off. I have to hold the flash to pass to have headlights.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #20

Apr 232014

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
While driving in the evening on an unlit road with my 10yr old in the car my headlights just went out. There was no place to pull over and we came within inches of ending up in a ravine. I have read your NHTSA report on the issues with Ford lcms and I find it ridiculous that this is not considered a safety issue. The internet is full of complaints on this part that Ford knows will go bad and still there is no recall.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

problem #19

Jun 132013

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 71,850 miles
While driving at night just prior to entering I-77 in columbia SC my headlights went off without warning. I could only keep them on by holding down the high beam lever until I got home. Since then they will sometime work and sometime not. I took it to the local Ford dealership and they gave me an estimate of $943 for parts and labor. In reading other complaints I see this is not an unusual complaint as it has happened to others. Is there any help from the manufacture as I am sure the local dealership is not sympathetic to the problem. This is a dangerous problem as it comes without warning and I could be anywhere at any speed. This was my mom's car and I thank god it happened to me and not her before she passed away.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #18

Nov 012013

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 97,850 miles
While driving down the street under normal conditions at night, my headlights went out unexpectedly. They would not turn back on, either in the automatic or manual "on" setting. This problem continues to happen. Sometimes the lights work, but then will turn off without warning. I researched this problem on the internet and there are many, many, other complaints exactly the same as mine, with the same make and model car. To me, this is a manufacturing defect and a major safety concern. Can you imagine this happening at night on the highway in a snowstorm? the faulty part seems to be the lighting control module, which in my area costs $551.78, and labor is about $90.

- Frederick, MD, USA

Read the next 17 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?