2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS Recalls, Complaints & Safety

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

1,767 vehicles affected

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

58,640 vehicles affected

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

875,000 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

1,129 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

1,167 vehicles affected

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: A WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE MAY NOT BE CAPABLE OF CARRYING THE CURRENT REQUIRED DURING HIGH LOAD CONDITIONS ON THE WIPERS (I.E., ICE, SNOW, OR OTHER DEBRIS).

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER CONTROL MODULES AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY.

23,000 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ATTACHING BOLTS INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE RETRACTOR MOUNTING BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

83 vehicles affected

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH LOWER THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF TORQUE ON THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CRASH SENSOR MODULE TO THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CRASH SENSOR ATTACHING BOLTS.

39 vehicles affected

WARNING THAT JACK LIFTING REAR WHEEL COULD COLLAPSE AND KILL SOMEONE. 00V200 recall notice I need the papers and changes to the instruction manual. I tried calling Ford to no avail. I tried 4 dealers listed to no avail. Wonderful car company.......................

Unknown

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that after turning off the windshield wipers, the wiper arms stopped in the middle of the windshield and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced the failure mentioned in NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V138000 (Visibility). The dealer was not contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

#AIRBAGS... ON MAY14TH 2022...I [XXX] had a wreck, and the Airbags didn't deploy, at a speed of 50mph...Which caused very serious personal injuries. As, a concussion, whiplash, Sprained thorax spine and bottom of my back, strained ligament in my knee, rib contusion, fractured tooth!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Crash 2 injured

AIR LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD OR EGR OR PCM SYSTEM CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE DIRTY FUEL INJECTION

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACK

HEY I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY MARQUIS AND EVERYTHING FOR THESE CARS I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND RECALLS

THE LIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN TRAVELING UP HILL. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPRAYED CARBURETOR FLUID ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND NOTICED A CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WOULD NOT ALIGN WITH THE TURN AND THE CONTACT HAD TO OVER COMPENSATE TO COMPLETE THE TURN. CARRIAGE FORD INC (908 E LEWIS AND CLARK PKWY, CLARKSVILLE, IN 47129, (812) 284-4444) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

"GRAND MARQUIS LS RECALL " STEERING IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE.

THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RESTRAIN. ALSO, THE STEERING ROD WAS BROKEN AND FIXED AT THE LAST INSPECTION WHICH WAS 5/2018. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WOULD COST $1500 OR MORE TO REPAIR. I SAW ON THIS WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SEAT BELTS NOT RESTRAINING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH INTO THE BUCKLE. 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE EFFECTS MILLIONS OF FORD AND MERCURY VEHICLES, MANY OF WHICH ARE TAXI, GOVERNMENT, AND POLICE CARS. APPARENTLY, THE COMPUTER (PCM) THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE CAN SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING WHEN CERTAIN SENSORS FAIL (AT LEAST 2 KNOWN SENSORS PER MY RESEARCH). I FOUND THIS OUT AT 65 MPH, 2 HOURS FROM HOME. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE ARE NO NEW PCMS MADE FOR MY 2000 CAR, AND THAT I HAD TO RELY ON A REBUILT AFTER MARKET PCM. THE AFTERMARKET SELLER RELATED THAT THESE COMPUTERS LAST APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS. EVEN IF I REPLACE THIS PART, I BELIEVE THIS EFFECTIVELY MAKES MY (AND ANY SUCH) CAR A RISK TO DRIVE, AS MOST REBUILT AUTO PARTS ARE CREATED BY SIMPLY REPLACING ANY FAILED COMPONENTS OUT OF THE MANY COMPONENTS IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PART, AND LEAVING OTHERS STILL OLD AND WORN. WHEN WOULD THE OTHER PARTS FAIL, AND IF THE CAR IS OPERATING IS A HIGH RISK UNKNOWN. ON TOP OF THE FACT THAT THIS CREATES A SPECTACULAR HAZARD TO MOTORISTS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR TO CONSUMERS. I CAN DEMONSTRATE WHAT THIS CAR DOES, AND GO OVER THE OEM FACTORY MANUALS WHERE THEY CITE "REPLACE THE PCM". ALSO, WHY DO THESE SENSORS FAIL TO A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, HAVE NO LOGIC CHECK (SUCH AS TESTING OTHER SENSORS TO SEE IF THEY CONCUR BEFORE AN ENGINE SHUT DOWN) AND WHY CAN'T THEY BE DISCONNECTED TO ALLOW THE ENGINE TO KEEP WORKING TILL YOU CAN GET TO THE REPAIR?

"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY CAR THE FUEL LEAKS OUT BEFORE THE GAS GETS INTO THE TANK BY FUEL FILTER. AND THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A POPPING AND WINDING SOUND WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN USE DRIVING THE CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A CLICKING NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMP MODULE WAS FAULTY AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. UPDATED 11/07/17*LJ UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE SINCE APRIL OF 2017. IN ADDITION, THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE FAILED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN ONE MILE TO WORK, SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS AND WAS DRIVEN BACK HOME (LESS THAN ONE MILE). THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, TURNED OFF, FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED.

Fire

"TAKATA RECALL" FANS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THEY HAVEN'T WORKED IN CLOSE THE THREE WEEKS WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO YEILD ONTO A HIGHWAY AND THE FANS CUT ON FULL FORCE AND WOULDN'T SHUT OFF DRIED CONTACTS OUT AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST GO INTO A DITCH . THEY FINALLY SHUT OFF LATER THAT AFTERNOON.

TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON WITHOUT WARNING AND A CLICKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *CN

A BOLT IN THE SHIFTING LINKAGE LOOSENS OVER TIME ON MANY FORD MODELS. OUR BOLT APPARENTLY LOOSENED & CAUSES SHIFTER TO BE IN A GREAT OTHER THAN WHAT IS INDICATED ON THE DASH. OUR VEHICLE INDICATED IT WAS IN THE ' PARK' POSITION, BUT WAS NOT. THE VEHICLE LATER ROLLED DOWN THE HILL & CAUSED NEARLY $1200 OF DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM.

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. AFTER MERGING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, A TRAILER SIDESWIPPED THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE TRAILER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN PRIOR TO CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF BUSINESS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED AND PREVENTED THE RAIN FROM BEING CLEARED FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN GA HIGHWAY 16 FROM DUBLIN, GA TO WARNER ROBINS, GA THE CAR STARTED SWAYING AND BECOME VERY HARD TO CONTROLL. NEARLY MISSED GOING UNDER A SEMI.EXTREMELY SCAREY. HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD FORCIBLY. TURN VEHICLE OFF WAITED FOR A WHILE THEN PROCEEDED HOME VERY CATIOUSLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT AND BLACK SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR INTO THE CABIN FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,000.

REPLACEMENT AIRTEX FUEL PUMP (MODEL E2272S) DETERMINED TO BE LEAKING GASOLINE FROM WHERE THE ELECTRICAL WIRES PASS THROUGH THE NYLON/PLASTIC CONNECTOR BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND/OR FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE NYLON/PLASTIC WIRE BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND THE FUEL PUMPS METAL HOUSING. FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE ON OR ABOUT 5/31/2012 @ 79,353 MILES. LEAK NOT NOTICED/DETECTED/REPORTED UNTIL 7/23/2014 @ 92,958 MILES.

A SPARK WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 3 TIMES (2010, 2014, 2014), EACH TIME A DIFFERENT CYLINDER. ONE OF THESE TIMES, IT OCCURRED TO MY WIFE 140 KM AWAY FROM HOME. I HAD TO GUESS THAT IT WAS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AND INSTRUCTED HER TO DRIVE THE CAR TO TORONTO IN THIS CONDITION. CONCERN: ASIDE FROM THE COSTLY REPAIR, I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR ON A LONG TRIP FOR FEAR THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AT A PLACE WHERE A REPAIR IS NOT AVAILABLE. I SUSPECT THAT THE FORD COMPANY HAS MODIFIED THE ENGINE ALONG THE WAY, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT ON A PREVIOUS MODEL I HAD OWNED FOR A LONG TIME (1993 GRAND MARQUIS), THE PROBLEM HAD NEVER OCCURRED. *TR

HEADLIGHTS KEEP CUTTING IN AND OUT. TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. GOING 65 DOWN AN EXPRESSWAY AND HAVING YOUR HEADLIGHTS JUST SHUT OFF IS NOT THE SAFEST OF CONDITIONS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE HEADLIGHT MODULE HAS A NOTED ISSUE ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD MY 5 YEAR OLD NIECE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

T* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS, HEADLIGHTS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AFTER DARK WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND A VERY LOUD BUZZING NOISE OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN SAFELY BECAUSE TWO CARS WERE MEETING US AND THEIR LIGHTS AFFORDED ENOUGH VISION TO KEEP MY CAR IN MY LANE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED VARIOUS POSITIONS WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH AND HIGH AND LOW BEAM SWITCH. ALL THE LIGHTING SEEMED TO WORK EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHTS. FINALLY, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND WE DROVE ON HOME VERY CAREFULLY. THEY HAVE WORKED SINCE BUT I AM VERY WARY OF DRIVING AFTER DARK. THE BUZZING NOISE QUIT, ALSO, AND HAS NOT RETURNED. *JS

WHILE REPLACING THE THERMOSTAT, A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE PLASTIC CROSSOVER CHANNEL IN THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWING THE ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK WHEN THE THERMOSTAT OPENED. FORD KNOWS THIS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND HAS REPLACED THE ALL PLASTIC MANIFOLD WITH AN ALUMINUM CROSSOVER FOR THE COOLANT. THE VEHICLE HAS 71,290 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS LEAKING. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AND FELL INTO THE THERMOSTAT AFTER THE REPLACEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE SENSOR COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR AREA WHICH WAS REPAIRED WITH A SEALING SOLUTION AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE PLASTIC INSIDE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DETERIORATED. THE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,500.

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A DARK COUNTRY ROAD WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE BACK WHO IS 3 1/2. HAD THE HIGH BEAMS ON. LOST HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS. IF IT WASN'T FOR KNOWING THE ROAD AND NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS AROUND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD WRECK. THERE ARE A LOT OF LAKES AND HILLS AROUND WHERE I DRIVE. HIT THE BREAKS AN CAME TO A STOP FLIPPED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH A COUPLE OF TIMES AND CHANGED TO DIM LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND IT IS ONLY WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY OR WITH OTHER VEHICLES AROUND HATE TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BUT WITH THE PART BEING OVER 600.00 AND THEN PAYING SOMEONE TO PUT IT IN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO DO ANYTHING. *TR