Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 96 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 96, in the owner's own words
I'm having problems with the lighting control module my high beam lights stop working. I see this year (2003) Ford crown Victoria has a recall for the lighting control module but mines isn't listed when I put in my VIN number and I wanted to see if mines can be listed. Also I would like to know why wasn't it listed on the recall list because this is a safety issue and very dangerous.
The contact's father owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlamps would flash and failed to turn on or to turn off as intended. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred intermittently, but the headlights had become completely inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting), which described the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headlights do not work and the air bag light is illuminated. A supervisor at Ford customer service said they refuse to do anything about the new problems they caused. She stated that "well, it's a pretty old car." I don't think the age of the car should give Ford a pass to not fix a safety recall. The fix for their safety recall only created safety problems with this car - namely the air bags may not work.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that both headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly and had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lighting control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
When driving at night and early mornings my head lights and tail lights will randomly go out when my light switch is set to automatic. I can turn it on manually and then I have head lights and brakes but no running tail lights. Which is a major problem and safety hazard.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHILE ON VACATION 200 MILES FROM HOME WITH MY FAMILY THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. AFTER A LITTLE INSPECTION I FOUND WE STILL HAD FLASH TO PASS HIGH BEAMS. THE NEXT DAY (JULY 3RD) I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE PARTS HOUSES AND NO ONE HAD A REPLACEMENT. AS A FORMER USAF JET ENGINE MECHANIC I WENT BACK TO THE CAMPER AND FOUND A WIRING DIAGRAM. I FIGURED OUT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE. I TOOK IT APART AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE RELAY. WE FINISHED OUR VACATION AND I SOON FORGOT THE ISSUE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE MODULE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT SINCE I HAD REPAIRED THE PART FORD WOULD NOT TAKE IT BACK SO THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I HAD THE SNEAKING FEELING I WAS BEING LIED TO. I WENT HOME AND RESEARCHED THE RECALL. I FOUND THE REPAIR DOES NOT EVEN INVOLVE REPLACING THE PART BUT TAPS INTO THE WIRING BEFORE THE MODULE. I CALLED FORD CORP AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AS THEY WEREN'T A TECHNICIAN BUT THEY STOOD BY THEIR DEALERS DECISION. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR DOING WHAT IT TOOK TO GET MY FAMILY HOME SAFELY. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM
ON APRIL 14TH 2017 A RECALL WAS ISSUED (RECALL ID = 264137) ON 2003-2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA'S MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 3RD, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 2ND, 2005. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # = 15V861000. THE RECALL WAS ON THE AFFECTED COMPONENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE A FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN MAY OF 2002 THAT HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. YET WHEN I CONTACT FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WORKING WITH A MAJOR AUTOMOBILE COMPANY PREVIOUSLY IN HONDA OF AMERICA, I TRIED TO UNDERSTAND WHY YET FOUND NO RELIABLE ANSWERS. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR MULTIPLE YEARS WHERE MY HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON AND JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING.
I BOUGHT THE CAR A FEW MONTHS BACK. THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED JUST FINE AT FIRST, THEN STARTED EITHER NOT TURNING ON OR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY WILL NOT TURN BACK ON BY FLIPPING THE LIGHTS ON THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IT WAIT A FEW HOURS AND HOPE THEY TURN BACK ON.
DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON DARK NIGHT, THEN DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT - COULDN'T SEE SPEEDOMETER OR GEAR INDICATOR. THEN HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT DASH LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE 25 MILES HOME. TRIED LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND MAKING SURE ALL CONNECTIONS WERE GOOD, THEY SEEMED TO BE. IN CASE SOMETHING GOT WET IN THE RAIN I WAITED SEVERAL DAYS TO TRY AGAIN, THEN TRIED IT TODAY - THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED ON THE STREET NEAR MY HOME.
DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS WILL CUT OFF I HAVE PULL THE BRIGHT LIGHT LEVER AND HOLD IT ON SO THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON OTHER WISE I HAVE NO LIGHTS AT ALL. IF I START THE CAR AND THE LIGHT SWITCH IS ON AUTO ONLY THE PARKING LIGHTS WILL COME ON. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT JUST STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND SOME DAYS THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND SOME DAYS THEY WILL NOT
FORD DEALERSHIP WONT FIX SAFTEY ISSUES RECALLS
DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT GOT PULLED OVER BECAUSE I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS . THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS PUT IN FROM THE RECALL IS BAD AND NOW FORD SAYS ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. WHY EVEN HAVE A RECALL OR ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX SOMETHING IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIX IT IF IT'S STILL MESSED UP LEAVING CONSUMERS SCREWED
MY HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK UNTIL EVER NOW & THEN THE ONLY ONE THAT WORK IS THE RUNNING LIGHTS 🤨 I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE BUT IT WASN'T ON MY VEHICLE 🤦🏾‍♀️ I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND CAUSE I HAVING PROBLEMS WIT MY 3003 LIKE OTHER PPL 🤷🏾‍♀️
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FAULTY AND THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LB SMITH FORD (1100 MARKET STREET, LEMOYNE, PA 17043-1423, 717-761-7600), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
RANDOM LOSS OF PARK LAMPS WHILE DRIVING INCREASING REAR-END COLLISION RISK. HEADLIGHTS ARE OPERATIVE AND WORKING. HEADLIGHT RECALL WAS PERFORMED BY RAMEY FORD. 15S39. I PAID LABOR COSTS AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY FORD AS THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE BEING THE PROBLEM. FORD WILL REPLACE THE MODULE AT NO COST ONLY IF IT AFFECTS HEADLIGHT FUNCTION. AFTER FURTHER CONTACTING FORD RELATIONS HELP LINE, FMC DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE MATTER OF THE SOLDER JOINTS CRACKING FOR PARK LAMPS. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRAFFIC STOPS OVER THIS MATTER ALL VERBLE DUE TO ME KICKING THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE TEMPORARILY CORRECTING THE ISSUE. DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, THINKING PARK LIGHTS ARE WORKING WHEN THEY ARE NOT. I HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO OF THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD OF DALTON (LOCATED AT 925 SHUGART RD, DALTON, GA 30720, (706) 278-1151) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS INOPERABLE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE, THE FAILURE REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
LOSS OF PARK LAMPS WHILE DRIVING/PARKED NOT KNOWING IT. WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS THE VEHICLE LOOKS TO HAVE DRIVING RUNNING LIGHTS TYPE OPERATION WHEN IT DID NOT COME WITH THAT OPTION. MY DASH STAYS ILLUMINATED. KICKING THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE DASH (ABOVE RIGHT FOOT) CAN MAKE THE LIGHTS COME ON FOR A TIME FRAME THAT VARIES BY TEMP AROUND THE UNIT. SEASON COLD/HOT CLIMATE DOES AFFECT HOW IT PERFORMS (AC/HEAT DOES PLAY A ROLE). I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS. I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHT RECALL PERFORMED (SIMILAR ISSUE) THAT STATES THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT DRIVING AND THE LCM WOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE PAID A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AT RAMEY FORD FOR A VERDICT OF A FAULTY LCM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD RELATIONS OVER THE PHONE ABOUT THE MATTER AND GOT NOWHERE AND STILL HAVE TO FOOT THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE FORD KNOWS THEY FAIL BUT WILL NOT COVER IT UNLESS ITS HEADLIGHT OPERATION. MY VEHICLE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT TO OTHERS. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
MY HEADLIGHTS DIM IN AND OUT WHILE DRIVING AND MY WHEEL STUDS HAVE POPPED OFF TWICE.
I HAVENT RECIEVED A NOTICE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (HARRELSON FORD IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BRINSON FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 2970 STATE HIGHWAY 31 E ATHENS, TX 75752 903-676-5200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED THE DEALER INSTALLED THE HEADLIGHTS INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (NEWINS FORD IN BAYSHORE, NY 11706) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/18/17*LJ *CN
NHTSA RECALL 16V-861 THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) HAS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EQUAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING, THE PARKING LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND SHUT OFF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY TAP THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FOR THE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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