Lighting Control Module Recall

MM03

MM03

Member
I found out our cars are the subject of an advance recall by Ford of the LCM on the cars made at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Canada. The dealer replaced mine at no charge! FYI, you have to tell them the headlights cut out intermittently To get it replaced .
 
There is another recall that is currently in the advanced notice stage (meaning the repair procedure is not yet available or parts are not yet available in sufficient quantities) and in my experience looks to be as if they are going to replace all LCM's in 03-05 panthers that have not already been replaced under the current recall.

The big difference to note between these two recalls is the current one is simply a warranty extension, if the LCM has failed, it will be replaced no charge, however if it is currently functioning the warranty extension will not replace it preemptively. The new recall - again is still advanced notice and the exact procedure has not been outlined - will likely mean they will be asking all owners to bring there cars in to have the LCM replaced even if they are not having any issues. This newer "replace all LCM's" recall is likely the result of a couple of deaths due to failed headlights.
 
MM03 said:
FYI, you have to tell them the headlights cut out intermittently To get it replaced .
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Depending on the dealer, they may insist that they need to personally witness a malfunction. My local dealer did, anyway, so I ended up going to a Lincoln dealer in the next county (where a CVN member works). He wrote it up and it was replaced the LCM on my MGM without issue.
 
If this becomes a full-blown recall, then I don't think the dealer has any say in it...they just replace what's called for.
 
When I did mine two years ago under the original recall they said if it doesn't show up as that issue you pay us for the diagnosis whether you choose to repair it or not. I knew what the issue was but they certainly don't go out of their way to try to be helful
 
I told my dealer I was having an issue and the service guy mentioned the recall. I knew about the recall but let him be the one to bring it up. They fixed it without any question. This was right before I got the letter 6 months ago.
 
stevengerard said:
When I did mine two years ago under the original recall they said if it doesn't show up as that issue you pay us for the diagnosis whether you choose to repair it or not. I knew what the issue was but they certainly don't go out of their way to try to be helful
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Yea, sometimes this can be a tough spot to be in. Ford specifically tells dealership employees that the issue must be diagnosed first. Some guys know when they get the complaint that it just needs the LCM, others don't and insist on doing the diagnosis, the problem arises when a tech can not duplicate the concern, or if diagnosis otherwise does not confirm the LCM to be faulty, in which case Ford will not pay the dealership for any of their time spent testing, and if you are not paying for it as well then the Technician, Advisor and Service manager, who are all paid on performance, do not make a dime for their time and efforts. It's a crappy situation, but it is what it is.

In the case of my black 03b, the lights would turn off for the briefest period, maybe once a month, which would ultimately make confirmation and diagnosis of the issue impossible, strictly following Ford guidelines that is.
 
a_d_a_m said:
Depending on the dealer, they may insist that they need to personally witness a malfunction. My local dealer did,
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Tell them to take it for a drive on a dark night on a twisty road in the mountains and get back to you......

That is just so full of stupid.
 
MarauderMason said:
Does anyone know if the LCM causes any other effects besides the headlights not working??
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Eventually the tail lights (not the brake lights), parking lights and the fog lights will fail.

I replace all those relays with upgraded ones and will guaranty the repair for the life of the vehicle.
 
This is correct. I had my headlights work just fine but a friend driving behind me at night said i had no taillights (but my brake lights worked)
 
tbone said:
Tell them to take it for a drive on a dark night on a twisty road in the mountains and get back to you......

That is just so full of stupid.
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Yes, it is stupid, which is why I ended up going to a different dealer.
 
I keep getting letters telling me about it but that the parts are not available and ford will let me know when they are. Dealer says the same. It has been years now and no call/letter ever saying they are in. I had to fix it myself.
 
just acquired an 03 marauder. the head lights work on low beams but no high beams. Anyone know if this would be covered by the recall? thanx.
 
Call Ford Customer Care and log a complaint first! Tell dealer no aftermarket parts. You will get your way.
 
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