1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 11%of 143 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis, 11% of the 143 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #10000643, filed 2002-12, 71,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10394258, filed 2011-04, 136,000 miles“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 complaint #11121928, filed 2018-08, 109,000 miles“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 complaint #10927822, filed 2016-11, 165,784 miles“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 complaint #10823801, filed 2016-02, 86,000 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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
26 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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