RoadVitals

1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Aug 23, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 143 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ID
11121928
Incident
Aug 16, 2018
Mileage
109,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,784.

NHTSA ID
10927822
Incident
Nov 24, 2016
Mileage
165,784 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10823801
Incident
Dec 27, 2015
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 16, 2015

LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS INOPERATIVE IN PARK OR DRIVE, BULBS & WIRING CHECKS GOOD, 25 AMP FUSE WAS BLOWN, BUT REPLACED FUSE CAUSED NO CHANGE.

NHTSA ID
10810807
Incident
Sep 5, 2015
Mileage
722,530 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 30, 2015

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT, THAN ON, AND OUT. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR MY WIFE DRIVING WITH KIDS.

NHTSA ID
10778737
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
108,284 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10446373
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2011

MY 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS TAILIGHTS FAIL. DURING THIS ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING WILL START FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN JUST COMPLETELY GO OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTS ON THE DOORS AND LIGHT AROUND THE DASH CONTROLS SUCH AS (AC BUTTONS AN KNOBS) THIS HAPPENED RARELY, BUT NOW IT HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I GOOGLED THIS AND MANY MORE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS AS IF ITS COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES. ON THE FORUMS SOME SAY A LIGHT CONTROL BOX NEEDS REPLACING, AND THEN SOME SAY A HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE FILED FOR THE REPLACING OF THE BAD PART CAUSING THIS ISSUE. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE IF THIS HAPPENS ON A DARK WINDY ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10394258
Incident
Aug 7, 2010
Mileage
136,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 30, 2002

LIGHT SWITCH FAILS WHILE LIGHTS ARE ON HIGH BEAM FOR ONE TO TWO HOURS. HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPR ON INTERSTATE 95.ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK OFF, THEN BACK ON, THEN OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE PULLING TO SIDE OF ROAD... HAS NOT HAPPENED WHILE USING LOW BEAMS. STRIKES FEAR IN ME AND FAMILY EACH TIME IT HAPPENS... I UNDERSTAND IT COMMON TO MY YR AND MAKE...WHAT TO DO??

NHTSA ID
10000643
Incident
Dec 30, 2002
Mileage
71,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 26, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE EXTERIOR OF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FOGGING UP, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID
8019544
Incident
Jun 27, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 11, 2001

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON A PAVED COUNTRY ROAD, WHEN HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES, THE LIGHTS WERE THEN TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AGAING, THEY FLASHED ABOUT 2 MORE TIMES AND THEN REMAINED ON.*SLC

NHTSA ID
897635
Incident
Oct 6, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 18, 2001

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NEEDED AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY WEAHTER CONDITIONS HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, CAUSING POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. ALSO, NOTE HEADLIGHTS LOOK LIKE FOG IS IN THE BULBS. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHTS; BUT, PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK WHEN THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM SEEMED SOLVED, BUT THE PLASTIC LENSE COVER FOGGED UP AGAIN. ALSO THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS APPEAR BRIGHTER THAN HIGH BEAM. *YH

NHTSA ID
878452
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2000

HEADLIGHT LENS DETERIORATED AND CAUSED LIGHTS TO PROJECT POORLY WHEN USED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER, ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
874212
Incident
Aug 30, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 17, 1999

THE SAME CONDITION HAPPENED ON 12/99. I REPORTED THIS TO THE SERVICE DEPT.AT BILL SMITH FORD AND THEY REPLACED A PART THAT CONTROLED THE HIGH BEAMS. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 11/99 DRIVING ON HWY 85 AT APPROX. THE SAME AREA. BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT (11PM) WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. I TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
714930
Incident
Nov 4, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 1999

THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE SOUNDS LIKE THE SIGNAL SWITCH IS ON ALL THE TIME. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. WILL NOTIFY OWNER WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
847801
Incident
Jul 29, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 3, 1999

THE PARTS FOR THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE IS ON BACK ORDER. NEITHER DEALER OR MANUFACTURER KNOWS WHEN THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
846715
Incident
Jul 29, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 22, 1999

THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT IS THE SAME COLOR AS THE REST OF THE LIGHT THUS MAKING IT HARD NOTICE WHEN HIGH BEAM ARE ON.

NHTSA ID
543488

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .