2005 Mercury Grand Marquis Complaint Log

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2005 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THEY WILL NOT COME BACK ON FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. THIS IS WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON. THE OTHER LIGHTS STAY ON (PARKING AND TAILLIGHTS), BUT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS SITUATION TODAY, AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ON SEVERAL YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AND FORD VICTORIAS. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED ON THE INTERNET AS A FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE LCM (LIGHT CONTROL MODULE). I TOOK MY MERCURY TO A FORD/MERCURY DEALER TODAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED: "DIAG PIN TEST ISOLATED TO ERRATIC RELAY INTERNAL TO LCM MODU" TO REPLACE THIS PART, I WAS QUOTED ALMOST $800 BY THE DEALER, INSTALLED (PART PRICE IS $511). I CALLED FORD/MERCURY CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY, 800-241-3673, AND LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS (TEL. CALL REF. [XXX]). THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE GAVE ME YOUR WEBSITE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, TO BE DRIVING AND HAVE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OFF, AND REMAIN OFF. IT STARTED APPROXIMATELY FEB. 15 AND CONTINUES TO PRESENT. *TR

MY 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WHICH SWITCH OFF LEAVING YOU DRIVING IN THE DARK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN THE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK ON MANUAL AND WON'T RESET FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I AM TOLD THROUGH SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF. I AM ALSO TOLD THE REPAIR WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COST OF DIAGNOSIS AND INSTALLATION RUNS BETWEEN $400 & $600 DOLLARS. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS IGNORING. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS A VERY SCARING SITUATION AT NIGHT. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL, AND ALSO I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A ELECTRICAL MODULE AND THE COST IS ENORMOUS. I DON'T THINK THAT ME THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF A DEFECT THAT IS SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. WHY HAVEN'T THIS MATTER BEEN RECALLED? SOMEONE COULD LOSE THEIR LIFE, TRAVELING DOWN A DARK TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING. AND WHAT'S MORE FRIGHTENING IS THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT. BUT I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL I SEE SOMETHING DONE.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT CLICKING SOUND, INDICATING THE LIGHTS HAD SHUT OFF WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO RESET THE LIGHTS TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED HE WOULD USE THE FLASHING LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN ORDER TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD OF HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS ON VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CANNOT BE TURNED ON OR RESET MANUALLY. LIGHTS EVENTUALLY TURN BACK ON WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION, BUT DURATIONS ARE RANDOM. HIGH BEAMS WORK WHEN LEVEL IS HELD DOWN. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO US IN A WEEK, 31 JAN 2011 BEING MOST RECENT EVENT. VEHICLE HAS 52000 MILES ON IT AND IS GOOD RUNNING ORDER. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO JUMP START AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, MY 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HAS SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN FORWARD MODE AND ONCE IN REVERSE. ON TWO OCCASIONS, I HAD GOTTEN SEVERAL FEET INTO THE BUSY INTERSECTION AND IN ONE INCIDENT, AN ACCIDENT NEARLY OCCURRED. *TR

BOTH FRONT INNER BRAKES NOT PROPERLY CONTACTING ROTOR. ONLY A 1 INCH WIDTH OF INNER BRAKE PADS HAVE EVER CONTACTED ROTOR. BASED UPON THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND PITTING OF THE NON CONTACT AREA OF THE ROTORS IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NEVER CONTACTING PROPERLY. IN ALL MY YEARS OF SERVICING VEHICLES I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF DEFECT BEFORE. *TR

APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. I COULD NOT GET IT TO LOCK PROPERLY AND, AS A RESULT, I HAD TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT UNTIL THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET DELIVERY ON A REPLACEMENT UNIT. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. RECENTLY I WAS DOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY LIGHTS JUST SHUT OFF. IT SCARED THE '!@#$% OUT OF ME SO I PULLED OVER. 5 MIN LATER THE CAME BACK ON. COME TO FIND OUT ITS THE LCM OR LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT IT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, IT WENT TOTALLY DARK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HIS VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *BF THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS BAD. UPDATED 11/13/09.

ON SEPT. 27, 2009, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A LEAF ON MY WINDSHIELD. I LATER STOPPED AND NOTICED THAT A 5" DIAMETER SECTION ON THE HOOD AND A 3' BY 8-10" SECTION ON MY ROOF HAD PEELED OFF. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE BODY SHOP FOREMAN ADMITTED IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT BUT AFTER TALKING TO FORD WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT COVER IT AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS A 2005 MERCURY MARQUIS AND IT ONLY HAS 71000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TRUNK LATCH ON KEY FOB DOES NOT REQUIRE AS MUCH PRESSURE AS SAY THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK, LOCK, OR PANIC(EMERGENCY). AT THE SLIGHTEST SWIPE OVER THE TRUNK ICON THE RELEASE IS ENGAGED, THE TRUNK ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT OPEN AND UNATTENDED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS TO AN OCCUPANT WHO MAY BE TRAVELING WITH VALUABLES. WHEN ENTERING A PASSAGE ON THE FREEWAY SUCH AS A TUNNEL, THE EXTERIOR BRIGHT LIGHTS TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. THE REASON WE KNOW IS BECAUSE THE HIGHBEAM ICON BECOMES ILLUMINATED TO BLUE ON THE DASH PANEL. *TR

HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY FOR A 3 TO 10 MINUTES IS OCCURRING DAILY. JUST DRIVING THE CAR AROUND TOWN THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.MUCH LESS THE OPEN HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED. THE FORD DEALER HERE WANTED TO REPLACE A MODULE AT A COST OF $735.00 WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD AT THIS TIME. *TR

LIGHTING MONUGAL FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRACKING CONTROL LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING. THE OWNERS MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE CONTROL TRACKING BUTTON WOULD DEACTIVATE IT; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE COULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39500. UPDATED 10/5/09 *CN UPDATED 10/07/09.

WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART, THE REPLACEMENT PARTS GOES BAD AS WELL. THESE PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM . I CONTACTED THEM BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. IT HAS EVEN HAPPENED ON THE POLICE VEHICLES. EVIDENTLY YOU HAVE ALREADY INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM AND CLOSED YOUR INVESTIGATION. I HOPE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. I WOULDN'T WANT THAT ON MY CONSCIENCE. MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER REOPENING THIS INVESTIGATION. I AM NOT SURE EVERYONE HAS REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIM BECAUSE ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF CORROSION ON THE WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,618. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

I HAVE A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. YOU WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ROAD IS DARK BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TURNS OFF. IT USUALLY TURNS BACK ON ABOUT 15 MINUTES COOLING OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL SERVICE REPAIR COMPANY WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE LIGHTNING CONTROL MODULE THAT GETS HEATED. IF IT DOES NOT COOL DOWN, IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. I WAS APPROACHING A TURN ON A BRIDGE AT ONE OCCURRENCE WHEN I ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH. *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATING, THE LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY MANUEVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE THE LIGHTS GO OFF, THEY DO NOT COME BACK ON; NOT EVEN THE HIGH BEAMS. UPDATED 09/28/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400 FOR THE PART. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER KNOWS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. UPDATED 07/06/09*JB

BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, OUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND OUR DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST OVER $700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON OUR 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS SEDAN. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF FULL TIME WORK SINCE DECEMBER 2008 AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. IS THERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AGAINST FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

ARRIVED AT SON'S HOME AND STOPPED IN DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, SPINNING WHEELS IN GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING GARAGE AND RAN HEAD ON INTO A PINE TREE RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO ENTIRE FRONT END OF VEHICLE (EXPECT VEHICLE TO BE CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS) AND INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT DESTINATION, DRIVER HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN MOVED AND AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISING ON FACE, ARMS, CHEST AND ABDOMEN, PRESUMABLY FROM DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS AS WELL AS FROM THE SEAT BELTS. REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED A CONTUSION ON THE FOREHEAD AND A SPRAINED HAND. ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION AND RELEASED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE POSITIONED VERY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH HE DEPRESSED BOTH PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE, THE HEAD LIGHTS ON OUR 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS QUIT WORKING AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER IN THE EMERGENCY STOPPING LANE. ALL HAZARD, MARKER LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS CONTINUED TO WORK. AFTER SPENDING A FEW MINUTES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE HEAD LIGHTS BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN AND WE MADE IT TO OUR DESTINATION. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE TOUCHED SOMETHING WRONG AT THE TIME AS I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR VERY OFTEN (OR THAT MAYBE TOO MUCH LIGHT HAD FLASHED ON THE LIGHT SENSOR ON THE DASH AND MADE THEM GO OUT.) THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE USES IT MOSTLY DURING DAYTIME. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN VERY OFTEN AT NIGHT AND SO IT WAS A QUITE A WHILE BEFORE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS NOW HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND AFTER TALKING TO OTHERS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS MUCH MORE COMMON ON GRAND MARQUIS, CROWN VICS, AND TOWNCARS THAN I WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT OF FORD'S LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) PART# 7Z-13C788-AA AND FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACED THESE DEFECTIVE LCM'S LONG BEFORE NOW. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD ABOUT A RECALL AND I COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A LCM RECALL ON FORD'S OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE. SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE FORD IS NOT INTERESTED IN MY SAFETY, I HAVE PLACED AN ORDER TO PURCHASE FORD'S IMPROVED REPLACEMENT LCM FOR MY CAR. I REALLY DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS ITEM TO REPLACE THEIR OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. IF FORD DIDN'T THINK THEY HAD A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE MADE SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR LCM AND RE-CLASSIFIED IT AS 7Z-13C788-AC INSTEAD OF -AA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. IN FEBRUARY OF 2009, WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB, RACED OVER THE MEDIAN, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURES. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED ON APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT STAY ON--WOULD GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN DRIVING. NEEDED TO HOLD BRIGHT LIGHTS ON TO HAVE ANY HEADLIGHTS. *TR

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS STARTED PEELING OFF IN FEBRUARY 2009, FIRST APPEARING ON THE ROOF, THEN THE HOOD, AND AROUND THE WINDOWS. DEALER STATES OUT OF WARRANTY, NO COVERAGE, BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A PAINT DEFECT, AS STATED BY A LOCAL BODY SHOP. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, PAINT HAS TO BE GRINDED DOWN TO BARE METAL AS PAINT PRIMER DID NOT BOND WITH METAL PROPERLY. COST TO REPAINT CAR IS ESTIMATED AT $3,000. *TR

PE08066, HEADLIGHT FAILURE, SEVERAL TIMES THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OR FAILED TO COME ON. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON FRREWAY AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHTS TURNED OFF PULLED OVER ON SIDE OF THE FREEWAY SWITCH THE LIGHTS ON OFF FOR ABOUT 3 MIN THEN THEY TURNED ON. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN A VERY LIFE THREATNING SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT LIGHTS TURN OFF MORE FREAQUENTY READY TO SUE FORD FOR NOT TAKEING RESPONSOBILITY AND ISSUING A NATIONAL RECALL FOR THIS DEFFECT. I WAS TOLD BY A CLOSE FRIEND THAT WORKS FOR A MERCURY DEALER THAT IT IS THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AND THAT ALL POLICE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM HAD THEM REPLACED.

JUST STARTED ONE NIGHT HEAD LIGHTS TURN OFF AT WHETHER ON AUTO LAMP OR MANUAL AND WILL NOT COME BACK TILL WHAT TENDS TO BE AN EXTENDED COOL OFF PERIOD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S COMPANY OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND DO NOT ILLUMINATE AGAIN. A MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION (NUMBER PE08066) FOR THE FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SINCE REPLACED THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. UPDATED 03/08/12

OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, I HAVE OWNED 6 CARS (5 CADILLACS AND 1 MERCURY) EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES. OF THESE 24 TIRES, I EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE ON 18 OF THE TIRES AND 1 SIDEWALL FAILURE AT 13000 MILES. TWO TIRES, I REMOVED AT 25000 MILES TO AVOID PROBLEMS AS I WAS PLANNING A LONG TRIP. THREE OF THE TIRES ARE STILL ON ONE CAR WITH ABOUT 13000 MILES ON THOSE TIRES. THE STANDARD SIZE FOR THE CADILLAC IS 215/65-16. MICHELIN ONLY RECOMMENDS THAT I SPEAK WITH THEIR DEALER. THE DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT ADJUST FOR THE TIRES. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DID NOT REPLACE THE FAILED TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. I EXPERIENCED AN UNREASONABLE TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE RATE WITH MICHELIN TIRES (TIME WILL TELL FOR THE REMAINING 3 TIRES). THIS INDICATES A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH THE MICHELIN DESIGN/MANUFACTURING. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT OF TREAD SEPARATION FAILURES AND THE RESULTING PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE SOME DEATHS ATTRIBUTABLE TO TREAD SEPARATION FAILURES. BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE, I FEEL THAT THE MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES PRESENT A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RECOMMEND THE NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. NOTE: I READ THAT TIRES MANUFACTURED IN EUROPE DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM DUE TO A DIFFERENT DESIGN/MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF THIS IS SO, THE US SHOULD MANDATE THE EUROPEAN DESIGN FOR US MANUFACTURED TIRES. I HAVE SPECIALIZED EDUCATION IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THROUGH THE GENERAL MOTORS INSTITUTE AND 6 YEARS EXPERIENCE MANUFACTURING AUTOMOBILES. THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS FOR THE LATEST INCIDENT ON THE 13000 MILE TIRE. BEFORE THAT, I EXPERIENCED 2 TIRE FAILURES AROUND THE FIRST OF JUNE. *TR

IN FEB., 2007, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW BOUGHT A SET (4) OF MICHELIN SYMMETRY TIRES FOR HER MERCURY MARQUIS. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, ONE HAD A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT SHE MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING, SO SHE BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT TIRE. LAST WEEK, MAY 30, 2008, WHILE DRIVING FROM MYRTLE BEACH TO ROCK HILL, SC, ANOTHER TIRE HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. AFTER WAITING ALMOST 2 HOURS IN 90 DEGREE HEAT, AAA ARRIVED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. SHE DROVE TO TWO TIRE STORES LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT. AFTER PURCHASING ONE AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, SHE STARTED HOME AGAIN. WITHIN 50 MILES, ANOTHER TIRE HAD A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT. THIS TIME WHILE WAITING FOR AAA, A SCHP OFFICER STOPPED AND AT LEAST PROVIDED SOME WATER. SHE DROVE HOME ON THE TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT TIRE. TODAY WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER THAT INSTALLED THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I SUSPECT THAT HER OPTIONS WILL BE TO EITHER PURCHASE ANOTHER MICHELIN SYMMETRY, OR AN ENTIRE REPLACEMENT SET. ON HER LIMITED INCOME, SHE'LL PROBABLY JUST BUT THE MICHELIN. HER DAUGHTER AND I ARE CONCERNED WITH HER DRIVING ON LONG TRIPS WITH THESE TIRES. I HAVE FOUND 23 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON MICHELIN TIRES ON THE CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM WEBSITE. *TR

CAR WAS SLOWING FOR RED LIGHT, STEPPED ON BRAKE, ENGINE OVERSPED, VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, COLLIDED WITH PICK UP TRUCK AHEAD, PICK UP WAS PUSHED INTO A COMPACT CAR AHEAD. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CLOUDS OF SMOKE BEHIND MY CAR AND TIRE MARKS ON ROADWAY CONFIRMED BRAKE PEDAL, NOT ACCELERATOR, WAS DEPRESSED. CAR EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT OVERSPEED ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION. *TR

WHILE SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT, PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED BECOMING UNCONTROLLABLE. COLLIDED WITH A PICK UP AHEAD ,WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO A SMALL COMPACT AHEAD OF IT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD EXPERIENCED SLIGHT ACCELERATION ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED WITH MY MECHANIC. ( HAD ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM ON MY 1999 RANGER WHICH WAS RESOLVED BY REPLACING IAC MOTOR.) VEHICLE CURRENTLY IN DEALERS SHOP, WHERE SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE OCCURRENCE NOR FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DISCLAIMS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM ALTHOUGH MANY SEVERAL SIMILAR EVENTS INVOLVING THIS MODEL YEAR ARE WELL DOCUMENTED. VEHICLE IS WELL WITHIN WARRANTY PARAMETERS BUT LITTLE, IF ANY, ACTION IS ONGOING. I AM RELUCTANT TO RESUME OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE WHILE CONDITION PERSISTS. *TR

EMAIL FROM CONGRESSMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING PROBLEMS CONCERNING ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MERCURY AND LINCOLN VEHICLES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED 3 BRAKE FAILURES ON 2 LINCOLN/MERCURY VEHICLES. THE FIRST VEHICLE WAS HIS OWN PERSONAL 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AND THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS A RENTED 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DROVE HIS PERSONAL VEHICLE 3-4 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEM. THEN ONE TIME WHEN BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SLOWED MOST OF THE WAY DOWN TO STOP, THEN THE CONSUMER LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE, AND ENDED UP STOPPING 10-20 FEET AFTER WHAT HE INTENDED. THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE INTERSECTION. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CANCELLED THE SALE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES ON THE RENTAL CAR, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP IN A CONTROLLED MANNER. THE SECOND TIME THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *JB THE CONSUMER WANTED TO OFFER HIS OPINION ON THE TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEM. UPDATED CONGRESSIONAL LETTER. 09/07/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAS TO TAP THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,300.

2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE IGNITED THE FIRE WHEN SHE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE FIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. *JB

WHILE PARKED AT THE END OF HER DRIVEWAY, WAITING FOR ONCOMING VEHICLES TO BYPASS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED, AND MADE A HALF TURN AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT, HIT A TREE. AS A RESULT, THE WINDOWS WERE DAMAGED, THE FRONT SEATS, WHERE THE OCCUPANTS WERE SEATED, WHILE WEARING THE SEAT BELTS, WERE THROWN TO THE REAR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY HER INSURANCE AGENCY ( SAFECO) [ENGINEER] ) WHO STATED THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A RESULT IN AN ECM MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH, AND PINCHED NERVES. SHE CAN NO LONGER PLACE WEIGHT ON HER FEET, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SEVERE BACK PAIN. SHE HAS HAD BOTH KNEES REPLACED. SHE AND HER HUSBAND, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AS OF YET. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 13,000. THE POLICE AND EMS DID COME TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT WERE A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. --DS UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

I PURCHASED A 2005 GRAND MARQUES FROM THIS COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY (11/5/07) WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN FRONT OF FIRESTONE SERVICE STATION. AS SOON AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRESTONE ALONG WITH THE ASSISTANT OF THE CHARLOTTE FIRE DEPT CAME TO MY RESCUE SIDING THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER ADMITTING THAT IT WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE SENSOR IN THE HEATING ELEMENT, INSURANCE COMPANY WAS OFF THE HOOK. BUT I'M LEFT TO FIGHT OF NOT WANTING TO REPAIR A BURNT ENGINE AND REPAINTING THE CAR. WHAT I'MASKING FOR IS A CAR OF EQUAL VALUE. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT IF LIST ON CAR FACTS, THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER WORST WHAT I OWE. PLUS SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRE I HAD JUST PAID 1500.00 FOR MY 30,000 SERVICE. I RECEIVED A RESPONDS FOR BBB THAT MERCY STATES THAT IT NOT THEIR FAULT, BUT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'M DESPERATE NEED OF ASSISTANT ON WHAT TO DO NEXT. AND/OR WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO I HAVE OTHER THAT EXCEPTING A REPAIR JOB WITH NO GUARANTEE. SO FAR I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER QUEEN LINCOLN MERCY, IT IS STILL BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS WITH DEFECTIVE TIRES CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TIRES ARE COMING APART AROUND THE WHITE SIDE WALLS**CC THE TIRES WERE BY MICHELIN. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING TO APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE FAILURE CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN BACK AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BRUISED BOWEL AND INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AS OF JULY 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,900.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR BUMPER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART HER VEHICLE AND DROVE TO A MECHANIC. DUE TO A COMPUTER ISSUE, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND TO SEEK A PHYSICIAN FOR MEDICATION. SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,194.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE VEHICLE HAS VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT RADIAL IX TIRES, SIZE 235/SSR17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE SWERVED. HE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE APPEARED TO BE A DAMAGED TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 37,000.

SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CAR DID THIS AFTER STARTING IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. UPON PLACING THE CAR IN DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED BURNING RUBBER IN THE DRIVEWAY. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES AND TURN IGNITION OFF TO STOP CAR. THE SECOND INCIDENCE HAPPENED WHILE BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT, I HAD TO SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP CAR. UNSURE OF MILEAGE IN THIS INSTANCE. MOST RECENTLY WHILE IN SOUTH CAROLINA I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO AVOID REAR ENDING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. (MILEAGE 60,000). *TR

2005 GRAND MARQUIS PARKING BRAKE FAILED DROPPING CAR INTO REVERSE. RUNIING OVER DRIVER AND CRASHING INTO PARKED VEHICLE. *AK

PAINT STARTED PEELING FROM MY 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IN MARCH 2007. *TR