2003 Mercury Marquis Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 24%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,171miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Mercury Marquis, 24% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,171 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front headlights are not staying on at night. The sensor seems to be failing or whatever controls the headlights. When I am driving at night the light will come on at dusk, but sometimes without an warning they will just pop off. For this reason, I am fearful of driving at night or in any hazardous driving conditions”
NHTSA complaint #10401849, filed 2011-05, 193,000 miles“I have read many complaints about this. My headlights go off about 3 blocks from home and then I have to pull the lever back and hold it to put on bright lights. I have been lucky and not been far from home and have to hold brights on, steer and operate blinkers all at one time. I cannot believe this has not caused a serious accident. I am in process of having an expensive lighting module put in my car. I totally resent them not doing a recall on this. What are they waiting for? …”
NHTSA complaint #10640669, filed 2014-10, 122,000 miles“Headlights would not turn on when I got into car to go to store at night. Also battery has been running down while vehicle is just sittng in driveway.”
NHTSA complaint #10461295, filed 2012-06, 48,342 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Marquis. The contact stated while driving various speeds at night, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was driven with caution and then the headlights began to function. The failure recurred twice. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10576187, filed 2014-04, 44,500 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury grand Marquis. The contact stated that the headlights would flicker on and off sporadically. The dealer repaired the failure by replacing the control module. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the defect. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 152,484.”
NHTSA complaint #10438932, filed 2011-12, 150,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 58% |
| 2003 | 8 | 24% |
| 2000 | 2 | 9% |
| 1999 | 1 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 10% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1994 | 2 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1984 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Marquis
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercury Marquis
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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