1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 6%of 316 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,232miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 6% of the 316 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,232 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Composite headlight lenses turned milky to the point that vehicle became unusable for night driving. Automobile manufacturer unwilling to replace or assist with replacement costs. Dealership wants $583.84 to replace headlight assemblies. Safety defects causing life threatening situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10174250, filed 2006-11, 51,000 miles“The lens for the headlights develops a cloudy appearance. When this occurs it decreases the headlights illumination, which results in poor visibility. Consumer feels the cloudiness is caused by the sunlight deteriorating the lens. The dealership will replace the lens.”
NHTSA complaint #10044249, filed 2003-10, 40,000 miles“The headlight surrounds (clear plastic pod that enclose the headlight bulbs) on many ford and Mercury model cars and trucks turn from clear to a fogged up milky-white , reducing severally the amount of light that can reach the road in front of the affected vehicle, thereby creating a serious safety hazard. Other companies such as honda use plastic around their headlight bulbs and their plastic stays clear allowing headlight bulbs to properly light up the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125890, filed 2005-06, 61,000 miles“Headlight assembly covers on this model only, fogs over (internally) and lens can not be cleaned. Dealer informs me the only way to correct discrepancy is to replace entire piece at a rate of about $500.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10064297, filed 2004-03, 81,465 miles“The issue is a dramatic decrease in headlight candlepower on the Mercury Grand Marquis as the vehicle ages that can only be repaired by replacing integral components of the vehicles body for $500 or more in cost. This is not due to aging bulbs but due to a design flaw in the vehicle's headlight covers. The plastic headlight cover clouds with age and cannot be replaced without replacing large body components of the vehicle. This issue will lead to traffic accidents with the most likely type being with pedestrians. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062394, filed 2004-03, 110,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 6% |
| 2007 | 5 | 5% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 293 | 60% |
| 2004 | 207 | 59% |
| 2003 | 207 | 57% |
| 2002 | 6 | 8% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 21 | 13% |
| 1999 | 20 | 12% |
| 1998 | 16 | 11% |
| 1997 | 19 | 6% |
| 1996 | 18 | 8% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 12 | 8% |
| 1993 | 11 | 8% |
| 1992 | 23 | 9% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
124 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology