RoadVitals

1988 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.
73
Latest Nov 10, 2005
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.
3
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.
1
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.
34
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 27 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

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

3 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
96V071000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Apr 25, 1996
7,900,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
88V028000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Mar 8, 1988
21,200 units potentially affected
The defect: AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
The risk: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
The remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 73
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 10, 2005
Crash reported3 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 94 IN CHICAGO, I ACCELERATED TO PASS A CAR. THE ACCELERATION DEVICE WITHIN THE ENGINE, NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT IT INCREASED SPEED. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR WITH LITTLE RESPONSE. I GOT ON THE EXIT RAMP AND WITH 2 FEET ON THE BRAKES, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. WE REAR ENDED A WOMAN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WE PUT THE BUMPER OF HER JEEP INTO HER BACK SEAT, THEN VEERED OFF HER CAR AND SMASHED INTO A CEMENT RETAINING WALL. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR. ALTHOUGH NONE OF US WERE ABLE TO STAND AND WALK AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT, OUR INJURIES INCLUDE SOFT TISSUE AND MUSCLE DAMAGE. WE ALL SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AND RECEIVED MORPHINE FOR THE EXTREME PAIN WE WERE IN. I WANT TO FILE SUIT AGAINST FORD, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND A LAWYER WHO WILL TAKE THE CASE. I WILL FILE ON MY OWN BEHALF. PAIN, SUFFERING AND OVER $50,000 HOSPITAL AND VEHICLE DAMAGE IS NOW ON MY RECORD BECAUSE OF THIS MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142395
Incident
Oct 3, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 25, 2003

THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW ROLLED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10048673
Incident
Nov 21, 2003
Mileage
98,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 7, 2002

THERE IS NO TREAD WEAR/ TRACTION, OR TEMPERATURE CODE ON THE TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ID
765305
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 3, 2002

FORD SAYS THE STARTER SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER THE STARTER SWITCH RECALL. THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE SWITCH AGAIN. THE SWITCH HAS BURNED CONTACTS AND IS DEFORMED PROBABLY FROM HEAT. THE HARNESS CONNECTOR, THAT GOES TO THE SWITCH, IS MELTED , SPLIT AND DEFORMED. MY TURN SIGNALS AND A/C FAN MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. I ALSO GET ERRONEOUS ENGINE WARNING AND LOW OIL WARNING LIGHTING AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE SWITCH DOES GET VERY WARM AND IT WAS JUST THAT OR HOT UPON FAILURE. THE RECALL (96V071000) DID NOT ACTUALLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. A SAFETY HAZARD REMAINS IN EXISTANCE WITH THESE VEHICLES. I WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IF THE SWITCH WAS BROKEN OR WORN OUT BUT THE SWITCH IS HEATING OR BURNING UP. THE RECALL SHOULD REMAIN EFFECTIVE FOR CHRONIC REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH UNLESS A ENGINEERING CORRECTION IS MADE ON THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
763800
Incident
Jul 2, 2002
ElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 27, 2001

IGNITION SWITCH / STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN HEAT UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2 OCCASSION AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH UNDER RECALL.*SLC

NHTSA ID
899500
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2001

ON TWO OCCASIONS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. ANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
895194
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 20, 2000

THIS TIRE WAS ON AN MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 1988. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE A TREAD SEPERATION WAS NOTICED. FIRESTONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
870997
Incident
Sep 4, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 13, 2000

3 OF THE 4 FIRESTONE TIRES ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

NHTSA ID
554600

Manufacturer communications

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

02107

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT

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

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
1988Viewing733168.9
1987435272.1
1986212269.6
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.