Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
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 (53.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 9.7× the median for that category across the 720 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 185 · 53.3% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Steering | 62 · 17.9% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 38 · 11% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting:headlights | 21 · 6.1% | Recalled | Recall 15V861000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 · 4.9% | not available | — |
| Interior Lighting | 6 · 1.7% | not available | — |
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 347 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.
“LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY, ONLY BRIGHTS WOULD WORK, THEN THEY WENT OFF. AFTER CLICKING THEM OFF AND ON THEY CAME…”NHTSA complaint 10453176 — filed 03/27/2012 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING, DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WHICH HAD FAILED #4W7Z13C788.”NHTSA complaint 10445649 — filed 01/27/2012 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD JUST RANDOMLY GO OUT AND COME…”NHTSA complaint 10440693 — filed 12/15/2011 · 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 185 of 347 NHTSA complaints (53.3%), followed by steering (62), electrical system (38), exterior lighting:headlights (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
347 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. 1 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.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
