Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2004 Crown Victoria. Ford has a recall out for 2003-2005 grand marquis and Crown Victoria's for their light control module (lcm) because of solders breaking causing exterior lighting not to work. I took my car to my local Ford dealership (April 22, 2017) to have such recall done because my exterior running lights were not working. (parking lights front and running lights rear) I also advise the dealership of this. Which is documented on the receipt I have kept. Ford doesn't replace the actual lcm, all they do is install a "bypass harness" to bypass the issue which does not fix the problem. I left the dealership with the same lights still not in working condition. Again, stated on receipt. The problem fixed itself and I assumed it went away. Now it's back but even worse. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the electrical system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting) at country Ford [phone] (95 goodman rd e, southaven, ms 38671), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the electrical system indicator illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 227,201.
Due to faulty manufacturing by Ford, I have faulty headlights. On more than 20 occasions I have been without headlights. I have to wait until the lights come on before I can proceed to drive the vehicle, endangering my life depending on my location at the time! Please ask Ford to consider fixing the problem before someone is seriously injured!
Taillight failure and corner light failure likely caused by faulty wiring as mentioned in 2015 lcm recall
I am the owner of a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, while driving during dark hours down the freeway my headlights suddenly went out with a click. The parking lights and dash lights remained, but I was unable to see and had to make a blind panic stop to the shoulder. Since, this has been a regular occurrence in which I can only quickly pull the flash to pass switch and try to hold it as well as the steering wheel until I can safely get pulled over. Even after then, it is an unknown wait time on when they will come back on or how long they will stay on once they do. The other safety issue is that it startles other drivers in front of you, I have had two instances in which one vehicle suddenly hit the brakes nearly causing a collision as well surprising a driver traveling beside me, making him swerve. …
Headlight failure of both low and high beam at all speeds. Intermittent failures beginning at end of March 2011 at approximately 92,000 miles and finally total failure in June 2011. Very dangerous if not in safe location to pull over or in middle of critical driving maneuvers such as passing, sharp turns, etc. Contacted local Ford dealer parts department and they confirmed no tech bulletins issued by Ford or other recalls, and cost of replacement light control module, or lcm, to be $511. Contacted Ford customer relations via their web site, and it was confirmed there is no warranty or other formal actions-considerations. Have owned previous versions of this Ford model, all for a longer period of time than the subject 2004 Crown Victoria model, 1982 Mercury grand marquis, 1987 Crown Victoria, 1991 Crown Victoria, and 1995 Crown Victoria, and none of them have exhibited this problem. …
I was at drive through teller when the automatic headlights, ac, instrument gauges, odometer, and speedometer failed at once. Initially the determination was it was the overdrive switch in the gearshift, apparently a wire was shorting out because it travels in an area where the insulation wears and shorts to metal. However, after having disconnected the overdrive and waiting for a replacement wiring harness, the automatic headlights have gone out along with the permanent high beams. It will turn on the lights if you use manual lights instead of automatic headlights. Also headlights go out on the interstate for no reason whatsoever. Returned to mechanic and I was advised that it needs a light control module and that the lcm is notorious for failures especially with headlights. …
Head lights went out while driving. Stopped, pulled over, didn't want to drive at night without lights. Checked all fuses, all seemed to be OK. Fumbled with the switch and wires and connections, and for awhile contemplated how we would get ourselves, and the car home without any lights? Started the car back up and the lights worked.....resumed our drive home....but lights went out again.....decided to risk it and continued home without head lights. Took the car to a Ford service station the next week, they said it must be the switch, put in a new switch and said it was fixed.........picked it up after work, and headed for home, made it a 1/4 mile before they went out again. …
Light control module fail Ford has upgraded this item 22 times so far and fail to do any thing about for consumers that have this problem I don't understand why there is no recall on this part headlights when turn on don't go on or headlights go out when driving light switch turned to on sometimes works and sometimes it wont turn lights on... I had it diagnosis at a Ford dealer and they come up with defective component in light control module at an outrageous price of 707.00 and another 200.00 hundred to program it and yet another 200.00 to install it.... …
My 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, a former chp vehicle turned into a taxi at 102,000 miles, began to experience headlight problems when I would stop and turn off the engine briefly, return, restart, and within a short time the headlights would fail. After a couple minutes the headlights would come back on. This problem progressed to less predictable failure of the headlights when running. Failure of the light control module was diagnosed at !50,000 miles and I found a taxi driver who had overcome the same problem and rewired from the green/black wire behind the lights control switch thru the firewall to a built-up powered relay and then to the headlights. It has worked fine, now 197,000 miles, except that the hi-beams have failed in the set position but still work in the temporarily position. Cost $60. Good luck. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
On certain police interceptors (cvpi) and commercial heavy duty (taxi) vehicles, at extremely high operating temperatures, the sound insulating panel, located under the vehicle positioned between the exhaust system and the underbody, could sag and possibly contact the surface of the catalytic converter.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing dash insulator and install a revised design insulator pad free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2005. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Electrical complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, 17% of the model year's 138 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Crown Victoria electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-206 (interior/under dash, May 9, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Crown Victoria electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.