RoadVitals

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Apr 30, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 239 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistance
Filed Apr 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AS AN INTERIM REPAIR UNTIL THE INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS BECAME AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVE THE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. ....UPDATED 07/22/15 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10713897
Incident
Aug 3, 2007
Mileage
114,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 9, 2014
Fire reported

ON 9/17/2003 @ 11:23 PM, MY 1996 GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED WHILE SITTING IDLE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. THE HENRICO COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT, WHICH INDICATES THAT NO CAUSE FOR THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED. IN JUNE 2014, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT MY 1996 GRAND MARQUIS HAS A POTENTIAL UNDER HOOD FIRE RISK. THE ISSUE AS STATED WAS THAT "FORD CANNOT BE CONFIDENT THAT AFTER MANY YEARS IN SERVICE, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT LEAK, POSING THE RISK OF AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. UNTIL THIS REPAIR IS PERFORMED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME. A FIRE CAN OCCUR EVEN IF THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION, AND CAN OCCUR EVEN IF THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM IS NEVER USED." AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER, I FILED A REPORT WITH FORD TO POSSIBLY GET SOME FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR MY CAR SINCE I MY CAR WAS INSURED FOR LIABILITY ONLY. FORD RESPONDED BACK THAT MY CLAIM WAS CLOSED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KNOW LONGER OWNED THE CAR, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO INSPECT IT. I FIND THIS TO BE ABSURD SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631764
Incident
Sep 17, 2013
Mileage
190,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 1, 2009
Fire reported

ON TUESDAY NIGHT, APRIL 28, MY 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR HOURS BEFORE I GOT IN IT AND DROVE IT HOME, APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 MILES. WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY I ENTERED MY HOUSE. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES MY DAUGHTER SCREAMED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN ANOTHER 5 - 10 MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA WAS IN FLAMES. FIRE RESCUE ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT NOT BEFORE MY CAR WAS, FOR THE MOST PART, RUINED. FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, AND READ, I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267518
Incident
Apr 28, 2009
Mileage
220,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 6, 2008
Fire reported

WE OWNED A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN JULY 2007 WITHOUT ANY WARNING PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOME WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WERE HOME AT THE TIME TO CALL 911. WE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING A RECALL UNTIL 2 MONTHS LATER! HAD WE BEEN ABLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. MY WIFE AND I ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, ME IN MY 80'S AND SHE IN HER 70'S. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WE WOULD HAVE NOT MADE IT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN TIME! MY DAUGHTER DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS PRIOR TO THE SAFETY RECALL #05S28. THESE AUTOMAKERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SITUATIONS AS THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE MADE PRIOR TO THE RECALL. WE'RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND NOT BURNED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10250941
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. AFTER RECEIVING A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), THE CONTACT HAD THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED IN HIS VEHICLE. ON MARCH 8, 2008, HE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL). HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH HIM AS SOON AS THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, THE CONTACT HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/07/08.8JB

NHTSA ID
10241333
Incident
Sep 17, 2007
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Mar 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE VIBRATION ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO ADD WATER TO THE ANTIFREEZE RECEPTACLE EACH DAY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR A RUSTLING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS RUBBING TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD GO DOWN, BUT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE FAILED. SHE ALSO RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,647 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ID
10220703
Incident
Dec 7, 2006
Mileage
73,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 21, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,293.

NHTSA ID
10218738
Incident
Sep 11, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 23, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A REMEDY FOR RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED AS A GIFT. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,357.

NHTSA ID
10215787
Incident
Aug 26, 2007
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V336000). SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. AS A RESULT, SHE BEGAN TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE POWER WINDOWS UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL HAS BEEN RECONNECTED. AS OF JANUARY 16, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10215133
Incident
Aug 26, 2007
Mileage
82,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND FORD RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IN AUGUST OF 2007. SINCE THEN, HE HAS HAD THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10214698
Incident
Aug 27, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 07V336000). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT MANUFACTURER IS NOT HANDLING THE RECALL WITHIN REASONABLE TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10213557
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. IN AUGUST OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 05S28. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND NEITHER HAD ANY AVAILABLE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10212077
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 10, 2007

(DEFECT IN SPEED CONTROL EQUIPMENT RELATED) I RECEIVED THE LETTER INFORMING CONSUMER OF DEFECT IN SPEED CONTROL EQUIPMENT, IT IS NOW NOVEMBER, AND IT SEEMS LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS HIN ROCHESTER NEW YORK STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED PARTS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION IN A TIMELY BASIS. IT STATED FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS COMMITMENT "TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SERVICE AND SUPPORT" IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU ET THESE PARTS TO ROCHESTER NY AND ELSEWHERE ND FIX THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10208580
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A REPAIR APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 07, 2007. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE WHILE WAITING FOR THE REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER WENT TO A NON-FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTED. UPDATED*JB

NHTSA ID
10201762
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 7, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR ELEVEN HOURS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT CONCLUDED THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, ALSO, PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10144639
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 9, 1999
Crash reported

WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH KICKED IN. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC WHO ACTIVATED THE VALVE IN TRUNK & WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
850351
Incident
Sep 16, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 27, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED , WHILE THE SPEED CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING A COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
848744
Incident
May 10, 1999
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 23, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

GEAR INDICATOR WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS, BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A HOUSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
805070
Incident
Nov 13, 1996
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 15, 1996

FAST IDLE--800 RPM AT NEUTRAL. SELF-ACCELERATES ON FLAT SURFACE UP TO 9 MPH.

NHTSA ID
511401

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .