RoadVitals

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
37
Latest Sep 17, 2019
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.
12%
of 316 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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 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 brake

The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Sep 17, 2019

THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ABS LIGHT ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION CROSS SIT

NHTSA ID
11256246
Incident
Sep 24, 2017
Mileage
112,000 mi
BrakesSeat beltsSteering
Filed Sep 15, 2016

RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS VERY LOOSE AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF

NHTSA ID
10907042
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2015

RUSTY BRAKE LINE FAILED. LEAKED BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING. ALL BRAKE LINES LOOK RUSTY. WHAT HAPPENED TO STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES?

NHTSA ID
10731451
Incident
Jun 13, 2015
Mileage
88,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TAPPED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE'S BUMPER. WHILE HE AND THE OWNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE ARGUING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD A SECOND TIME. AS A RESULT, HIS PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PANEL. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ONTO A SIDE STREET WHERE IT WILL BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT THERE IS NO BRAKING ABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. HE REFERENCED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (EA03012 SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROGRAM EXPIRED IN 2007. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

NHTSA ID
10232809
Incident
Jun 30, 2008
Mileage
163,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE STUCK ON ICE AT 1 MPH. THE CONTACT SLID INTO A CURB AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE'S MAINTENANCE WAS UP-TO-DATE. THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL PARKING BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE PARKING BRAKE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ACTUAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORD WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY APPRECIATED HER SUGGESTION. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY HELP IN THE DESIGN OF FUTURE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,965. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10219484
Incident
Jan 25, 2008
Mileage
39,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 2008

SUDDENLY THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILST ON HIGHWAY. I HAD CHECKED THE FLUID TWO WEEKS PRIOR AND IT WAS FINE. DIAGNOSED AS BRAKE ABRASION OF THE FRONT BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214342
Incident
Nov 18, 2007
Mileage
76,688 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SPONGY AND HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V086000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HOSES, LINES AND FITTINGS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10159010
Incident
May 30, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 2006

I HAVE A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS [XXX]THE BRAKES FAILED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR RECALL 04B26 FOR 97 MERC MARQUIS. THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR CO. REP CURLINE #2139 SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, AND THAT MY MODEL AND YEAR MATCHES THE RECALL, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I SUGGEST THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDER THAN THEY WILL ADMIT AND THINK MY REPAIR FALLS UNDER THIS RECALL. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10150654
Incident
Jan 22, 2006
Mileage
91,435 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2005

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE. RECALL NOTICE WAS FOR FRONT FAILURE, UPON INSPECTION, THOSE LINES WERE FINE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10138233
Incident
Jun 15, 2005
Mileage
63,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2005

DT: THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND BROKE. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND COULD TELL THAT HE WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY HOME. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON JUNE 15, 2005. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10138176
Incident
Jun 15, 2005
Mileage
69,500 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 16, 2005

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL PARTS CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. IT TOOK THE SERVICE MANAGER DAYS BEFORE HE SERVICED VEHICLE AND NEVER RETURNED THE CONSUMER PHONE CALLS. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND WAS THEN TOLD THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED IF THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND OPINION REGARDING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT LEAKING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10138818
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTICE, 04B26 ON 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. IT STATED THE REAR BRAKE TUBE MAY ABRADE AND LEAK UNDER THE FRONT SEATS. THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIR WORK SCHEDULED. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE BURST. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LINE DID NOT BRAKE WHERE THE NOTICE HAD STATED, AND IT WAS NOT COVERED. ALSO WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD CONSUMER THEY WOULD DISCOUNT THE WORK. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP CONSUMER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10129590
Incident
Jul 21, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2005

BRAKES DID NOT OPERATE WHEN DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED.*AK WHILE PULLING FROM A PARKING LOT THE BRAKES FAILED. BRAKES REPAIRED BY NEARBY TIRE AND BRAKE SPECIALIST. *TC

NHTSA ID
10106612
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
88,715 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10079392
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
Mileage
108,321 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 1, 2004
Fire reported

BRAKING LIGHTS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DID SO TOO. THERE WERE NO CONSEQUENES DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONS, UNTILL THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BEGAIN TO CATCH ON FIRE AND SO DID ONLY THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10074592
Incident
Sep 27, 2003
Brakes
Filed May 11, 2004

1. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NORMAL SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED FURTHER THAN NORMAL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY. ON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW BRAKE FLUID ON THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AT A LOCATION UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR (APPROXIMATELY). 2. IT APPEARS THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE CAR BODY/FRAME STRUCTURE AND WORE THROUGH ALLOWING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. 3. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE YET. I AM STILL INVESTIGATING MY OPTIONS: REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE, FILE A CLAIM WITH FORD, ETC.

NHTSA ID
10072395
Incident
May 3, 2004
Mileage
101,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 1, 2004

WITHIN A WEEK OF CHANGING THE TIRES THE BRAKES FAILED. *PH THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT TO REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. (SON ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER ANNETTE MEYERS). *JB

NHTSA ID
10066828
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2004

BRAKE LINE FAILURE...RUBBING/EXTREME CORROSION FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 6 YEARS AND IS CAUSED BY ROUTING/RETAINERS/RUBBER INSULATORS/EXTREMELY POOR CORROSION PROTECTION ON THE EUROPEAN METRIC BUBBLE FLARE LINES. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON OUR PREVIOUS GRAND MARQUIS-1993 AFTER 6 YEARS. IN THIS CASE VEHICLE RESIDED IN SYRACUSE ONLY 2 YEARS AND SPENT 4 MORE IN S.E. MASSACHUSETTS. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE(1990-1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA/MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED/ISSUED. *CB

NHTSA ID
10054256
Incident
Jan 3, 2004
Mileage
64,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2003

A REAR BRAKE LINE ON OUR 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS TOTALLY FAILED. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE CAR JUST BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN NOVEMBER 1996 AND HAD ONLY 47,441 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES SHOWED THEY WERE BOTH EXTREMELY CORRODED ALONG THEIR ENTIRE LENGTH. THE MERCURY DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE AND FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY ($1223) ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE FINAL COST TO REPAIR THE LEAKING BRAKE LINE WAS $1901. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THIS RELATIVELY SMALL MERCURY DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED THEY DO THIS REPAIR ABOUT ONCE A MONTH ON MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AND LINCOLN TOWN CARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM RESULTING FROM MERCURY EITHER SPECIFYING OR USING AN INADEQUATE MATERIAL FOR THIS CRITICAL SAFETY PART. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT NHTSA IS CONDUCTING AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF THIS BASIC PROBLEM (ACTION# EA03-012) AND CONTACTED MERCURY CUSTOMER RELATIONS PRIOR TO MAKING THE REPAIR. THEY POLITELY SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. I SUSPECT THAT THE 710 BRAKE LINE FAILURES LISTED IN NHTSA ACTION# EA03-012 FOR 1995-1997 GRAND MARQUIS, TOWN CAR AND CROWN VICTORIA VEHICLES IS JUST THE SURFACE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE MOST REPAIRS LIKE MINE ARE MADE OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT REPORTED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10041418
Incident
Sep 6, 2003
Mileage
47,441 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2002

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WHEN THE BRAKES FADEDON A COLD/RAINY NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE. THE HOLE RUBBED IN THE LINE AT THE CROSS MEMBER. THE NEW BRAKE LINE WAS REROUTED AWAY FROM THE BODY AND WAS INSULATED.*SCC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID
568000
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 15, 2001

STOP LIGHT CONNECTOR WAS OVERHEATING AND BURNING UP WIRING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS TO BE STARTED UNDER THE EMERGENCY START, IF STARTED IN PARK IT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, CONSUMER STATES ALSO WHILE DRIVING THERE ARE NO STOP LIGHTS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
894443
Incident
Aug 10, 2001
Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHIVLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
750353
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 18, 2001
Crash reported

WHENEVER USING CRUISE CONTROL BRAKES GO OUT. ONCE CONSUMER SLID AND LANDED IN A DITCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
886251
Incident
Apr 18, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND STEEPING ON THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOORBOARD. DEALER REPAIRED METAL BRAKE LINE AND ADDED BRAKE FLUID. AK *SLC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID
877516
Incident
Jan 5, 2000
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2000

MY WIFE DRIVING, COME TO NARROW WITH APPROACHING CAR, HIT BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN WHERE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PASS ON BRIDGE WITH OTHER CAR, HER CAR SLOWED, NOTHING SEEM WRONG WITH BRAKES, BUT SOME MILES LATER, COMING UPON A CURVE, HIT BRAKES TO SLOW TO MAKE CURVE, NO BRAKES. SHE BOUGHT FLUID, AS FLUID WAS GONE, DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES BACK HOME. WHEN I CAME IN, NO FLUID IN RESVERE, PUT SOME IN, PUMPED BRAKES, FLUID POURED OUT ON CONCRETE UNDER FRONT DRIVERS DOOR. HAD TOWED TO DEALER, THE LINE HAD RUBBED WHOLE IN LINE UP AGAINST FRAME. THEY REPAIRED IT, REFLUIDED IT AND CHARGE ME ALMOST 82.00. I DID CALL MERCURY CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY GOT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BRING IT TO THE PRICE STATED. FIRST PRICE WAS OVER 100.00. MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS 8 MONTHS WITH CHILD WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY WIFE. *AK

NHTSA ID
734278
Incident
Oct 7, 2000

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 sources

Data on this page last refreshed .