2003 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Complaints

While driving my vehicle headlights turn off and back on, sometimes off for minutes sometimes flickering.

NHTSA ID

11737780

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact that the headlights were intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel lights, the brake lights, and the turn signal lights were inoperable. The contact who is a mechanic, had inspected the fuses, the fuse box, and other unknown parts, but found no failures. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11660627

Incident

Apr 22, 2025

Mileage

160,000 mi

The Lighting Control Module has failed and my brake lights and dash board lights turn off after couple minutes while driving with the lights on. I took my vehicle in to dealer already once for problem to be fixed a year ago. They did repair but now same problem is occurring again. I went back to dealer Sunrise Ford in Fontana and they said recall work is only warranty for 1 year or 12k miles. The work was done in December 2023. They want to charge me $230.00 for diagnostic. But issue is same problem as before. Recall number is 15S39. Driving without brake lights is dangerous and has limited my driving. I cannot go out at night. I do not have another vehicle. This affects my life. I've called other dealers and they refuse to do the work.

NHTSA ID

11659286

Incident

May 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis The contact stated that both the headlamps and the taillights intermittently failed to operate as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed. The dealer placed a processor on the vehicle and rewired the lights however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11638746

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

Mileage

127,000 mi

The headlights shut off without warning

NHTSA ID

11632025

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights shutoff independently while turned on. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact who is an independent mechanic determined that the lighting control module (LCM) needed to be replaced. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 285,000.

NHTSA ID

11629900

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

Mileage

285,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while attempting to pull out of the parking lot, the headlights and the taillights became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11616251

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

Head lights suddenly went out while driving at night causing near accident, happening frequently. Also, the gas tank leaks when I put gas in car, making it smell badly and making it dangerous if someone drops a cigarette near it.

NHTSA ID

11612352

Incident

Sep 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the headlights were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lighting control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11611699

Incident

Aug 29, 2024

Mileage

106,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lighting control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

NHTSA ID

11603129

Incident

Jul 15, 2024

Mileage

181,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights were inoperable, and the trunk failed to open. Additionally, all the doors failed to manually lock, and while utilizing the key fob, the door locks were inoperable. The door-ajar message was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 179,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11576191

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

179,000 mi

Its the LCM L(IGHT CONTROL MODULE)...HEAD LIGHTS went out on me one night coming down [XXX] causing me to wreck in a ditch and hitting a light pole INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11565456

Incident

Jan 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that upon turning on the headlights, the taillights intermittently failed to illuminate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called two local dealers and was informed that there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ID

11536117

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

148,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH at night, the brake lights, headlights, and taillights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the lighting control module was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11524591

Incident

May 30, 2023

Mileage

101,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle had shifted to LIMP Mode and was almost side swiped by a tractor trailer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had been towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but became a recurring failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11524458

Incident

May 25, 2023

Mileage

240,000 mi

O.I.N. 11523223 05/22/2023 1. Lighting Control Module: Failure 2nd time. 2.Couldn't see where I was traveling. 3. No. 4. Yes. Inspected by myself, a Mechanic and Trouble Shooter. 5. Yes. Prior to the failure, the headlamps began flashing on and off. Previously the taillights failed. No warning. Lighting Control Module Defective. Replaced Module per Recall 14N01C. Ford Dealership, Pearson Ford, INC.10650 N. Michigan RD., Zionsville, In., 317.873.3333, Service Advisor: William Haygood

NHTSA ID

11523269

Incident

May 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 14N01 (Lighting Control Module); however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps flashed and then completely failed to remain illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,236.

NHTSA ID

11523223

Incident

May 15, 2023

Mileage

121,236 mi

I started Mercury with foot on break like normal. Shifted into reverse. Car accelerated backwards at full speed. Brakes did not stop car. Attempted to shift into neutral but went into drive instead. Car accelerated forward at full speed with my foot still on break. Car hit metal post and tree knocking them down and dragging the tree 50 to 60 feet before stopping with my foot still on the break. Car had stopped accelerating. I turned off the ignition. This unintended acceleration had happened before. Two different dealers attempted to fix the problem. Both of them thought they had been successful but it happened again. Previously, applying the brakes stopped the car, but not this time. Someone could have been injured severely or killed.

NHTSA ID

11502872

Incident

Jan 14, 2023

I received a recall on my car in 2019 to change the lighting control module as my headlights could go out without warning. Although I had not experienced this, I brought my vehicle to the local Ford dealer who changed the part. Over the pandemic and now since my wife and I are in declining health we have driven very little after dark. However, I recently had to go to the pharmacy at Walmart and returned home after dark but my headlights went out completely. Now I am having this problem and the local Ford dealer said there was no second recall so he wants to charge me between $500 and $600 to correct the problem. I think this is Ford's responsibility to correct. Please assist in making the manufacturer aware of this.

NHTSA ID

11502262

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

Hard to steer car, power assist not working, doors do not lock

NHTSA ID

11498454

Incident

Dec 21, 2022

Almost had accidents because lights failed, headlights and taillights failed at night, including dash lights today, creating safety hazard. Seat tilt failed, and body mount frame bushing failed. Mirror tilt switch failed. Fuel filler neck leaks when filled. Very scary especially at night. Please recall and fix before we get hurt.

NHTSA ID

11494762

Incident

Nov 23, 2022

The LCM has failed during nightly driving causing a complete loss of headlights.

NHTSA ID

11491424

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlights failed. As a result, the contact engaged the high beam headlights to continue driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11484397

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

Mileage

71,000 mi

The lighting control module failed. Even after recall 2 years later and only 9 thousand miles Oem part replacement under recall and recall part has failed no tail lamps work no turn signal lights. Only brake lights It’s a common problem even after recall replacement It’s worked fine for 8 thousand miles now lights don’t work all the time

NHTSA ID

11482640

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

I am the owner of a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Several weeks ago the power steering on the vehicle quit. This was not the result of the power steering pump. The linkage in the steering system had ceased, causing the vehicle to be dangerously unsteerable. I have had this repaired at a cost of $575 dollars. I believe this is a safety issue that need immediate investigation and a safety recall. I contacted Ford Motor Company and was sent to Chat contact Shakura who gave me the Corporate runaround. We were lucky as this happened on a side road at low speed. If it had happened on an Interstate with speeds of 65 to 80 MPH I feel this could have resulted in a major accident. I should also point out this steering item is in Ford Crown Victorias and more than likely in Lincoln Continentals. Please advise and contact me with questions. Thank you in advance as this need to be resolved.

NHTSA ID

11450023

Incident

Dec 27, 2021