Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
At lest 14 times, all our lights inside and outside the vehicle go off and stay off for a period of time. So far this has happened in the daytime and we, purposely, do not drive it at night as cannot trust it to not occur again. We live on a restrictivbe budget so have not been able to get it repaired. Did see the recall on the 2005 Mercury and wonder if this should apply to us as well. Our dealer, colorado river Ford, says it does not, but strange that symptoms are the same.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lincoln towncar. The contact stated that the taillights turned off and were repaired several times. The dealer had replaced fuses and bulbs. The failure continued. The current mileage was approximately 34,000. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Updated 01/31/11 updated 02/03/11
My car has the same lcm control module issues as cars from the same years ad models, but when I enter my VIN it is not showing. +4 PO#3 1998-2000 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module YW1T ... Yes, a recall exists for a 2003-2005 model year Ford/Lincoln Town Car lighting control module (LCM) failure that can cause a loss of headlights. The recall, #15S39, involves dealers installing a bypass module kit to fix the problem for free. The issue stems from a cracked solder joint inside the LCM that can lead to intermittent or complete headlight failure, increasing crash risk at night. The lcm is under the dash near the pedals. It causes loud vibrating noise for a long time and causes a parasitic drain to my battery almost daily especially when it's cool outside. The relay under the hood vibrates as well
When lighting is switched on from the dashboard switch or from auto lamp feature, all lights come on except the headlights.. No hi or lo beam. The high beams will work from the "flash to pass" feature with the turn signal stalk. This failure occurred suddenly. Fortunately just before I entered the highway this seems precisely the lighting control module problem that Ford covers for the crown vic and marquis vehicles under recall 15s39. The Town Car is the same panther platform as the "covered" vehicles, and certainly within the same year range as covered in the recall. This is a very serious safety issue. Mine is a "hard" failure.. Not intermittent. The vehicle has no headlights at this moment. I visited the local Ford dealer today and they confirmed that the Town Car was not covered under Ford 15s39.
Began to notice that the headlights would flicker. At first it was almost unnoticable. Got progressively worse until I am reluctant to drive after dark. First told there was a recall then after checking VIN was told did not apply to my vehicle. Then was told that part was recalled for Ford crown vic and merc grand marquis. Probably the same part. There seems to be a significant problem and mine should be covered by a recall. Was also told that being built in Canada could have been reason for recall refusal. Updated 09/15/15
I recently purchased the vehicle and noticed on the first night drive that when applying the brakes, the 3rd brake light(the one at the top of the back window glowed brightly over the inside of the window making it impossible to see to the rear. When it rained and the back window was wet. The problem was even worse. Upon feeling around the light I discovered 3/4 inch space between the light and the glass thus letting the light spill out. I called the local Lincoln dealer who after examining it said they were all like that and couldn't help me. I called Ford motor customer service and got the same response. I have had to put duct tape around it to stop the light but I know this summer when sun gets on it the tape will not stick and leave glue residue. I can raise the ceiling (and light ) up and down 3/4 of an inch but they say thats the way they were built. It's dangerous. …
Serious safety issue. No or intermittent exterior lighting at night. Defective (lcm) lighting control module. Ford recall called (customer satisfaction program) "14no1" indicates defective lighting control module controlling exterior headlamps, parking lamps, front side marker, rear tail, license plate lighting May be intermittent or inoperative. E-mail sent to all U.S. Ford Lincoln/Mercury dealers referencing 2003 2004 2005 2006 model year crown victoria and grand marquis vehicles with an extended coverage period on this part of 15 years or 250,000 miles. Current owned and operated vehicle is: 2001 Lincoln Town Car built on the same platform with same internal parts. Lighting control module is defective causing no or intermittent exterior lighting. Approached Ford dealer and was informed vehicle part was under factory recall. …
Trunk light failed to go off when consumer placed clothes in trunk. Consumer maintained that light could have been on whole time, but had no way of knowing that. Consumer proceeded down the road and smelled something burning. Pulled into dealer, go out of vehicle, and noticed smoke coming from under vehicle. Dealer popped up trunk, and fire jumped right in their faces. Dealer reached under trunk and pulled out a bulb. Told consumer that this was the cause of fire. Consumer felt that trunk light was poor designed. Ford motor company replaced this vehicle with a 2001 model
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Town Car years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (17), 1996 (14), 1995 (12), 1998 (12) and 2000 (7) model years. Headlight complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Town Car headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-028 (headlights, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Town Car headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (37 mentions), followed by the brake lights › switch (5).
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.