RoadVitals

1986 Mercury Grand Marquis

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Mar 18, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 27, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1150.0%
  • Engine418.2%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Tires & wheels14.5%
  • Body & structure14.5%
  • Transmission14.5%
  • Driver assistance14.5%
  • Steering14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91125ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES

Opened Sep 11, 1991
Closed Jan 15, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE87055ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FIRES

Opened Sep 9, 1987
Closed Mar 10, 1988

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: MANUFACTURER HAS BEENCONTACTED. SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB ARTICLE NO.87-18-13, PROVIDES PROCEDURESFOR REWORKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LINE COUPLING TO THE RADIATOR,WHERE FLUID LEAKS CAN ORIGINATE. THE TSB STATES ... THE QUICK DISCONNECTFITTING SHOULD NOT BE REUSED BECAUSE IT MAY NOT RESEAL PROPERLY AND CANRESULT IN REPEAT REPAIR.VEHICLE POPULATION1985 19861987 FORD 187,300115,600 120,300 MERCURY151,000101,700 122,800 TOT=804,700THE ONE REPORTED INJURY ALLEDGES EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION DUE TO SMOKEAND SOOT. THE FIRES ARE GENERALLY CONFINED TO UNDER THE HOOD AND PRECEDEDBY LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE VEHICLE.FORD REPORTED NO LAWSUITS, NO WARRANTY CLAIMS, AND ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLYONE REPORT SINCE OPENING THIS P.E.THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTSINDICATES THAT A DEFECT TREND DOES NOT EXIST AT THIS TIME.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THIS P.E.===

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 21
Transmission
Filed Mar 18, 2004

MY 1986 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GOES FORWARD WHEN PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW MY CAR TRIES TO DRIVE IT (CAR WASH PEOPLE, MECHANICS, RELATIVES, ETC.). I BELIEVE THE LINKAGE GOING TO MY DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10062544
Incident
Mar 15, 2004
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2002
Fire reported

OHIO POLICE REPORT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE PRESSURE,THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER STATED THAT MUFFLER HAD BEEN REPLACED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ID
566989
Incident
May 29, 2002
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 1999

WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEED AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
850690
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 8, 1999
Fire reported

VEHICLE VIBRATES ON RIGHT FRONT END WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE LET GO, FEELS LIKE THEY ARE GRABBING. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK & NOTICED SMOKE FROM TIRES & THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *AK

NHTSA ID
837524
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 1998

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ID
539403
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 1997

ENGINE SMOKES UNDER FULL POWER BUT NOT AT ANY OTHER TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
517810
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 1997
Fire reported

WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE WIRING IN DASH AREA TO SHORT OUT, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
809949
Incident
Mar 5, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 1996

REAR DOOR LEAKS.

NHTSA ID
510078
Incident
Oct 8, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Grand Marquis by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011920—
2010242057.8
2009262049.6
2008783157.6
2007963253.9
20061433157.0
20054875460.3
20043472556.3
20033622658.2
2002782154.1
20011575363.8
20001628361.5
19991645361.9
19981437362.0
19973165760.6
19962396764.7
19951797664.2
19941563566.8
19931443564.7
19922553766.4
1991822164.4
1990561152.2
1989582166.1
1988733168.9
1987435272.1
1986Viewing212269.6
1985211161.1
1984152166.5
1983731—
1982310—
1981210—
1980020—
1979010—
1978100—
1977110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.