RoadVitals

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
12
Latest May 29, 2014
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.
4%
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.
1
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 the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 12 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 electrical

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

Electrical
Filed May 29, 2014

TWICE THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF I COULDN'T CONTROL THE WHEEL I HAD TO HURRY AND PUT IT ON NATURAL AND START THE CAR AGAIN, AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE IT REALLY SCARED ME I WAS ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY OR CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594740
Incident
May 28, 2014
Mileage
178,724 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2010
Fire reported

1997 FORD GRAND MARQUIS - OCCASIONAL INTERRUPTIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER WERE OCCURRING WITH THE RADIO GOING OFF, THE LOW FUEL LEVEL LIGHT GOING ON, AND THE BATTERY METER DROPPING. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY THE INTERRUPTIONS CONTINUED UNTIL FINALLY THE BATTERY CABLES CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND BY THIS TIME THE INSULATION ON BOTH THE POSITIVE AND GROUND CABLES HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OFF AND THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO SUPPLY CURRENT. I KNOCKED OFF THE GROUND TERMINAL AND DOSED THE FIRE WITH WATER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10339645
Incident
Jun 21, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2009

THE POSITION OF THE HORN FOR 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IS PROBLEMATIC. THE HORN IS JUST IN FRONT OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND PRONE TO GET WATER SPRAYED BY WHEEL IN RAINING SEASON. THIS WILL CAUSE THE RUST AND FAILURE OF THE HORN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284082
Incident
Sep 9, 2009
Mileage
180,000 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
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 24, 2004

THIS REGARDS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY THE CAR DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC/PASSIVE DOOR LOCK, WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN AT ALL. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD NO WAY TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX/REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND SENT IT BACK UNREPAIRED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS LOCKED - AND CANNOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY, SWITCH OR REMOTE CONTROL. THEY STATE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE, AND THE MERCURY NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, THAT I CALLED TODAY, STATED THAT THIS HAS NEVER BEEN RECORDED IN THEIR DATABASE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10073073
Incident
May 21, 2004
Mileage
47,520 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 30, 2001

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF AUTOMATIC CONTROL, TURNED LIGHTS ON MANUAL. RESET THE AUTOMATIC CONTROL ON AND LIGHTS STAYED ON. PREVIOUSLY (TWO DIFFERENT TIMES) THE HEAD LIGHTS HAVE COME ON WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.*AK

NHTSA ID
751388
Incident
Aug 7, 2001
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
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Jun 27, 2001

REMOTE ENTRY CONTROL, PANIC ALARM, AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, 4-WAY FLASHERS AND AUTOMATIC TRUCK CONTROL FAILED. THE ABOVE CONDITIONS HAVE CAUSED UNSAFE AND STRESSFUL HEALTH CONDITIONS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID
9002934
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jan 6, 2000

EACH TIME THE PASENGER SIDE SUN VISOR IS PULLED DOWN THE FUSE #8 BLOWS OUT, THIS CAUSES LOSS OF POWER TO DIGITAL ELECTRONIC DASH PANEL, POWER DOOR LOCKS, KEYLESS ENTRY, POWER MIRRORS, RADIO, AND CLOCK, DEALER TRIED USING HIGHER AMP FUSE BUT THAT ONE BLEW ALSO. *ET

NHTSA ID
783638
Electrical
Filed Dec 9, 1999

ELECTRICAL LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
853923
Incident
Nov 22, 1999
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Nov 9, 1998

MY PROBLEMS BEGAN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. THE ABS AND THE POWER LOSS, I CONSIDER TO BE LIFE THREATENING. THE POWER LOSSES OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR, AFTER DARK AND WHILE DRIVING ALONE. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I AM FEMALE, I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A TWO-FOLD DANGER. FORD HAS OFFERED TO PAY ME $2000 TOWARD THE TRADE-IN OF MY CAR (CLOVERLEAF TO PAY 17,500 FOR MINE). THIS STILL HAS ME PAYING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 5500 FOR A 99 MODEL. I DID NOT PURCHASE MY CAR TO BE TRADING IN AFTER A YEAR AND NONE OF THIS IS MY DOING NOR MY CHOICE. THE CAR I WAS DRIVING BEFORE THE PURCHASE OF MY NEW ONE (IT WASN'T A FORD PRODUCT) HAD 150,000 MILES. I NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN IT. IT APPEARS THAT I WAS WRONG. I PROBABLY WAS SAFER IN IT THAN IN THE NEW ONE. I REALIZE THAT NONE OF MY PROBLEMS WILL QUALIFY MY CAR FOR THE LEMON LAW, HOWEVER, CONSIDERING THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD, I MOST DEFINEATELY CONSIDER IT TO BE A LEMON.

NHTSA ID
700436
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 14, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN BECOME EXTREMELY HOT . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
826722
Incident
Jul 30, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .