Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting (51.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 9.4× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 188 · 51.9% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Electrical System | 46 · 12.7% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 27 · 7.5% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 19 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 · 5% | No official action | — |
| Suspension | 16 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 362 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V861000 · 2015 · reported 12/22/2015
A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS, MY FIRST COMPLAINT IS, I OWN A 2003 GRAND MARQUIS. I HAVE TO BE TO WORK @ 3 IN THE MORNING…”NHTSA complaint 10356894 — filed 09/21/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HEADLIGHT FAIL. EVERY OTHER THING IS WORKING. NOW THIS IS SERIOUS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS EVERY 5 MINUTES AND REMAINS FOR AT…”NHTSA complaint 10353784 — filed 09/03/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON MY 2003 MERCURY MARQUIS WHILE DRIVING, THEY WILL GO ON AGAIN IF I SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND LET IT…”NHTSA complaint 10350248 — filed 08/18/2010 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Exterior lighting issues are the most-reported category, cited in 188 of 362 NHTSA complaints (51.9%), followed by electrical system (46), steering (27), exterior lighting:headlights (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
362 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 22 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V861000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
