Government investigating reports of headlight failure in older Ford and Mercury sedans

The government is investigating reports of headlight failure in older Ford and Mercury sedans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Ford has received 3,092 complaints of headlight failure on Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans from the 2003-2005 model years. The government has also received 605 complaints of headlight failure in those vehicles.

Fifteen crashes and one injury related to the problem have been reported to Ford and to the government. In one case, a driver reportedly struck a deer after the headlights went off without warning.

The government started investigating after receiving a petition from the North Carolina Consumers Council. NHTSA investigations often lead to recalls.

Ford says it's cooperating with the investigation.