2003 Mercury Grand Marquis lighting problems

The 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis has 210 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 47% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

210

Lighting complaints

47%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Grand Marquis lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

15V861000LightingDecember 22, 2015 · 296,004 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.

Consequence

A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MODULE FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT A DEER. THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPORT THE FAILURE TO THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 28, 2009 · crash

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

NHTSA has 210 complaints about the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis lighting — 47% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 15V861000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.