Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I brought this vehicle into the dealership for safety recall 15s39. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to taking it in. When I received the vehicle back from the dealer they had admitted to not completing all the steps in the safety recall. Now that I have the vehicle the dealer returned it to me with the following issues: all of the interior and exterior lighting including the headlights do not work and the air bag light is illuminated. A supervisor at Ford customer service said they refuse to do anything about the new problems they caused. She stated that "well, it's a pretty old car." I don't think the age of the car should give Ford a pass to not fix a safety recall. The fix for their safety recall only created safety problems with this car - namely the air bags may not work.
The contact's father owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the headlamps would flash and failed to turn on or to turn off as intended. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred intermittently, but the headlights had become completely inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting), which described the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that both headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly and had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lighting control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
I'm having problems with the lighting control module my high beam lights stop working. I see this year (2003) Ford crown Victoria has a recall for the lighting control module but mines isn't listed when I put in my VIN number and I wanted to see if mines can be listed. Also I would like to know why wasn't it listed on the recall list because this is a safety issue and very dangerous.
When driving at night and early mornings my head lights and tail lights will randomly go out when my light switch is set to automatic. I can turn it on manually and then I have head lights and brakes but no running tail lights. Which is a major problem and safety hazard.
Severe safety issue with no recall . . I drive a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. As you can see it's 13 years old. About 6 months ago driving at night my headlights went out. I pulled over and juggled the light switch on & off. They came back on. In the following months it occurred more and more often. Playing with the switch did nothing. One night on I-295 it happened again. On an interstate, with an exit 7 miles away. A sitting target to be hit and killed. Slowly got home. Next day took it to repair my shop. A computer that controls all lights was defective. So I asked him to repair it. "no need" just take it to your Ford dealer. They had issued a warranty for this computer for 15 years. Remember the car is 13 years old. Replaced. No cost. So even though it was a major safety problem, they said no need for recall with the 15 year warranty.. That means they had a safety problem.. …
A couple of years ago while on vacation 200 miles from home with my family the headlights suddenly went out. After a little inspection I found we still had flash to pass high beams. The next day (July 3rd) I went to the local dealer and the parts houses and no one had a replacement. As a former usaf jet engine mechanic I went back to the camper and found a wiring diagram. I figured out it was a problem with the lighting control module. I took it apart and replaced the defective relay. We finished our vacation and I soon forgot the issue. I received a recall notice for the module and took it to the dealership for replacement. I was informed by the service manager that since I had repaired the part Ford would not take it back so they could not help me. I had the sneaking feeling I was being lied to. I went home and researched the recall. …
I bought my Ford Crown vic 3 years ago paid 6000 dollars, within two weeks the windshield wipers stopped working, then the transmission went out cost me 2500, then horn would go off and would not turn off till I pulled the positive battery cable off. Two weeks later the blinkers stopped working, then the lighting control module started making a loud beeping sound, then my headlights and tail lights stopped working. I revived a recall letter from Ford and it says take my car to Ford dealership and they would fix it free of charge. I went to dealership and they said I had to pay 85 dollars to check and see if the lighting module was bad or not if it was they said they would replace it for free, but there could be additional cost to pay and I would not get my 85 dollars back no matter what. …
Loss of park lamps while driving/parked not knowing it. When the issue occurs the vehicle looks to have driving running lights type operation when it did not come with that option. My dash stays illuminated. Kicking the lighting control module located under the dash (above right foot) can make the lights come on for a time frame that varies by temp around the unit. Season cold/hot climate does affect how it performs (ac/heat does play a role). I have no tail lights when the problem occurs. I have had the headlight recall performed (similar issue) that states the headlights May go out driving and the lcm would be replaced free of charge. I have paid a diagnostic fee at ramey Ford for a verdict of a faulty lcm. I have spoken to Ford relations over the phone about the matter and got nowhere and still have to foot the diagnostic fee. …
I was driving home late one night and the lighting module went out leaving us out in the country with no lights. We were just driving down a winding country road. No street lights, no way to see. We managed to get home hours later. On 9/22/15 I had the car looked at by my mechanic and he replace the lighting module fixing the problem. Mechanic said there was a 15 year warranty on this unit and Ford new of this problem. He said I should get reimbursed for the part. On contacting Ford they will not honor the cost of the unit even though it has not been 15 years because I did not bring it to Ford. They also claimed they have sent 2 notices to my address which is not true. I have lived in the same place from before purchasing the car brand new. …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of headlights
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation concerning the loss of headlights in model year (MY) 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles. The subject vehicles share the same architecture and major components.ODI has received 636 unique reports (for all submission dates) related to the alleged defect, with owners describing a loss of both low and/or high beam headlights…
Loss of headlight function
The agency has closed this investigation based on its review of complaint reports, field and technical data provided by Ford and complainant interviews. Ford found that some lighting control modules (lcm) in the subject vehicles contained defective solder joints on the printed circuit board.this condition can lead to poor headlight performance ranging from intermittent outage and dimming to eventual headlights…
Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
In a letter dated October 2, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was initially petitioned by the North Carolina Consumers Council, Inc. requesting a defect investigation of an alleged defect condition resulting in headlight and/or exterior lighting failure on 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles.ODI analyzed Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) complaints received from consumers…
Headlight complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, 39% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-861 (headlights, Dec 22, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Crown Victoria headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.