RoadVitals

1994 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.
156
Latest Jul 11, 2019
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 Feb 4, 2008
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.
5
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.
37
14 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 156 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 75 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
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
94V152000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Aug 9, 1994
214,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FOUR NUTS ON ONE END OF THE AXLE COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE OR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CAN OCCUR.
The risk: OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA02025ClosedEngineering Analysis

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES

Opened Sep 6, 2002
Closed Jun 30, 2004

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP02007ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL-FED FIRES

Opened Aug 22, 2002
Closed Dec 4, 2002

THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SQ01014ClosedInvestigation

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

Opened Nov 27, 2001
Closed Oct 3, 2002

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGELed to recall 02I003000
RQ01002ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Sep 20, 2001
Closed Sep 6, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 99V124000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 156
Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2019

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL PANS RUSTING

NHTSA ID
11230925
Incident
Jun 16, 2019
Mileage
88,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
10946929
Incident
Jan 15, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10873855
Incident
Jun 12, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, ALL THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10816576
Incident
Dec 28, 2009
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 5, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT AROUND 12:00 AM AND I EXPERIENCED TOTAL LIGHTING FAILURE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN EVERYTHING WAS PITCH BLACK NO LIGHTS WHAT SO EVER. EVERY LIGHT ON THE CAR WOULD GO OUT AND COME BACK ON SIMULTANEOUSLY,CAUSING ME SWERVE, ALMOST CRASHING HEAD ON WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHER GRAND MARQUIS' AND FORD CROWN VICTORIA'S DOING THE SAME THING.THIS WAS ONLY MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH THE LIGHTS. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE JAN 23,2013 AND THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO DO THIS THEREFORE I CANNOT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE CAR IS ALL ORIGINAL NO AFTERMARKET NOTHING BUT A CD PLAYER. LIGHTS WERE DOING THIS BEFORE I INSTALLED THE CD PLAYER. SO AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE I PULLED THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF ONLY TO FIND THAT THE FACTORY WIRING HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE BACK OF THE LIGHT SWITCH HAD MELTED WHERE THE POSITIVE BATTERY WIRE SLOT IS.SO I REPLACED THE HARNESS WITH A BRAND NEW ONE,AND NOTHING.LIGHTS STILL GO OUT. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I TOOK THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AGAIN TO FIND THE NEW WIRING HARNESS I HAD JUST BOUGHT 2 WEEKS PRIOR MELTED JUST LIKE THE ONE FROM THE FACTORY, SAME WIRE SLOT. SO NOW I HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER ONE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE AUTO LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE TOO THAT DIDNT FIX ANYTHING EITHER.IM GOING TO TRY A NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND A NOTHER NEW HARNESS TOO. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL FIX IT.BUT UNTIL I GET THE MONEY TO FIX ONE OF FORD/MERCURY'S MOST ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I WONT BE DRIVING IT AT NIGHT. BUT REALLY THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THIS. GRAND MARQUIS AND CROWN VICS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR LIGHT SYSTEMS FAILING ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THEY QUIT MAKING THEM IN 2011. WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS ON 1/23/2013 I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT MINE, THEY JUST ARE NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510680
Incident
Jan 25, 2013
Mileage
92,727 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 9, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN HIS HOME HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128000.

NHTSA ID
10342300
Incident
Jul 3, 2010
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 2, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS. IN 2006, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN A PARKED POSITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

NHTSA ID
10286112
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2009
Fire reported

I BEGAN SMELLING SMOKE WHILE DRIVING 1994 GRAND MARQUIS. AFTER APPROX. 30 SECONDS OF SMELLING SMOKE, FLAMES AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF REAR LEFT OF HOOD. BRAKES DID NOT WORK. CAR COASTED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE CAR, CALLED 911 AND WAITED FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO RESPOND. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BURNED EXTENSIVELY, MOSTLY ON LEFT SIDE. LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS BURNED AND DEFLATED. FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED UNDER MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283668
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Mileage
105,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

CSP 08B04

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

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
1994Viewing1563566.8
19931443564.7
19922553766.4
1991822164.4
1990561152.2
1989582166.1
1988733168.9
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.