1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine12736.2%
- Brakes3710.5%
- Fuel system329.1%
- Suspension267.4%
- Driver assistance246.8%
- Steering226.3%
- Exterior lighting174.8%
- Visibility133.7%
- Electrical123.4%
- Transmission92.6%
- Seat belts61.7%
- Interior & seats61.7%
- Body & structure61.7%
- Tires & wheels41.1%
- Other / unspecified30.9%
- Powertrain (other)30.9%
- Airbags20.6%
- Heating & air conditioning20.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
COOLANT LEAK FROM CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 97,130 MILES ON IT AND WELL CARED FOR. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USING PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION - IT SHOULD BE IRON OR ALUMINUM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WITH THE 4.6 V8 ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND REPLACE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. I WILL BE WRITING A LETTER TO FORD IF THE DEALER DOESN'T COVER THIS AS A RECALL. RIDICULOUS TO USE PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION. *TR
1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD IN VEHICLE. *SMD
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ABS LIGHT ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION CROSS SIT
RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS VERY LOOSE AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOVING SLOWLY IN PARKING LOT. SHARP NOISE UNDER CAR, GAS TANK HAD FALLEN DIRECTLY ONTO ROAD AND WAS BEING DRAGGED. BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS HAD BROKEN
CONSUMER DISMAYED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL AS SHE DROVE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. *PH THE SMELL WOULD BE PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AS WELL. THE FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE LINE. *SC THE IDLER AND PITMAN ARMS WERE REPLACED. *JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ABS LIGHT ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION CROSS SIT
I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND I SERVICE MANY VEHICLES DAILY. I CURRENTLY OWN A 97 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT PRACTICALLY MOST STEERING COMPONENTS ON MY VEHICLE ARE IN NEED OF REPLACING. SPECIFICALLY THE TIE ROD ENDS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINS ALL HAVE BLOWN BUSHINGS AND A PITMAN ARM.... THE STEERING SWAYS SO HARD ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE CROWN VIC, AND THE MARQUIS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING COMPONENT CONCERN AS WELL. I SEE MORE FORDS WITH STEERING ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I SERVICE. THE VEHICLES ALSO SEEM TO HAVE ISSUES WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK THAT THE BODY WILL SCRAPE THE TIRES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO RIG MY VENT DOOR ACTUATOR AND I HAVE HAD TO INSTALL A SHUT OFF SWITCH DUE TO A PARASITIC DRAW THAT I CAN NOT LOCATE EVEN WITH A VOLT METER. AFTER RESEARCHING ON FORUMS AND WATCHING COUNTLESS YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF OWNERS STATING THESE KNOWN ISSUES I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEYOND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THESE PARTS ALL TO BE FAULTY FROM THIS CAR MANUFACTURER.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ABS LIGHT ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION CROSS SIT
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN RIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND I HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. I STOPPED AT MY DESTINATION A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. IT ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, BUT BURNED UP AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT REPAIRED ACROSS THE STREET AT AN AUTO ELECTRICAL AND MARINE SHOP. THEY SAID IT WAS AT THE SWITCH OR VALVE THAT TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. MY CAR IS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND I SERVICE MANY VEHICLES DAILY. I CURRENTLY OWN A 97 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT PRACTICALLY MOST STEERING COMPONENTS ON MY VEHICLE ARE IN NEED OF REPLACING. SPECIFICALLY THE TIE ROD ENDS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINS ALL HAVE BLOWN BUSHINGS AND A PITMAN ARM.... THE STEERING SWAYS SO HARD ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE CROWN VIC, AND THE MARQUIS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING COMPONENT CONCERN AS WELL. I SEE MORE FORDS WITH STEERING ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I SERVICE. THE VEHICLES ALSO SEEM TO HAVE ISSUES WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK THAT THE BODY WILL SCRAPE THE TIRES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO RIG MY VENT DOOR ACTUATOR AND I HAVE HAD TO INSTALL A SHUT OFF SWITCH DUE TO A PARASITIC DRAW THAT I CAN NOT LOCATE EVEN WITH A VOLT METER. AFTER RESEARCHING ON FORUMS AND WATCHING COUNTLESS YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF OWNERS STATING THESE KNOWN ISSUES I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEYOND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THESE PARTS ALL TO BE FAULTY FROM THIS CAR MANUFACTURER.
RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS VERY LOOSE AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE COVERED WITH SOME TYPE OF FILM. HE HAD TO USE THE HIGHBEAMS TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149672.
COMPOSITE HEADLIGHT LENSES TURNED MILKY TO THE POINT THAT VEHICLE BECAME UNUSABLE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER UNWILLING TO REPLACE OR ASSIST WITH REPLACEMENT COSTS. DEALERSHIP WANTS $583.84 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *JB SAFETY DEFECTS CAUSING LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND I SERVICE MANY VEHICLES DAILY. I CURRENTLY OWN A 97 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT PRACTICALLY MOST STEERING COMPONENTS ON MY VEHICLE ARE IN NEED OF REPLACING. SPECIFICALLY THE TIE ROD ENDS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINS ALL HAVE BLOWN BUSHINGS AND A PITMAN ARM.... THE STEERING SWAYS SO HARD ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE CROWN VIC, AND THE MARQUIS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING COMPONENT CONCERN AS WELL. I SEE MORE FORDS WITH STEERING ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I SERVICE. THE VEHICLES ALSO SEEM TO HAVE ISSUES WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK THAT THE BODY WILL SCRAPE THE TIRES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO RIG MY VENT DOOR ACTUATOR AND I HAVE HAD TO INSTALL A SHUT OFF SWITCH DUE TO A PARASITIC DRAW THAT I CAN NOT LOCATE EVEN WITH A VOLT METER. AFTER RESEARCHING ON FORUMS AND WATCHING COUNTLESS YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF OWNERS STATING THESE KNOWN ISSUES I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEYOND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THESE PARTS ALL TO BE FAULTY FROM THIS CAR MANUFACTURER.
FIRST THE DRIVER WINDOW WENT OUT, PASSANGER, AND THEN THE BACK AND THE LOCKS GO OFF WHEN EVER THEY WANT. MY CALL HAS LOW MILES FOR THE YEAR AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ACTING THIS WAY. IF I EOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I COULDNT GET OUT OF MY WINDOW IF DOOR DIDNT OPEN AND I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR MAKE A LOUD CRACKLE SOUND WHEN I MAKE A LEFT TURN, AND ALSO MY TRANSMISSION STARTING ACTING UP. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASE IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF AND TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. SO THE DEALER LIED TO ME AND NOW MY WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THEY WON'T FIXED IT. WHAT CAN I DO. I ALSO SEE ALOT OF RECALL FOR MY CAR THAT NO ONE NEVER SENT ME INFO ABOUT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MIL CODE P0420 SET. FORD TSB 03-24-5 INDICATES PCM REPROGRAMMING RATHER THAN REPLACEMENT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REQUIRED. DESPITE BEING WITHIN EMISSIONS WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD DEALER CHARGED $119 FOR THIS WORK, CLAIMING EMISSIONS WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THIS WORK. DEFECTIVE PROGRAMMING OF PCM TO CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, REQUIRING A VISIT TO DEALER. CAN'T PASS EMISSIONS TEST WITH LIGHT ON, SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW. IN ANY CASE THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE PCM SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN NO CHARGE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A MANDATED, DUE TO STATE EMISSIONS TESTING, VISIT TO DEALER AND A CHARGE FOR SERVICE TO FIX A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.*AK THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED, ACCORDING TO DEALER, AND CURRENTLY LIGHT IS OFF. IT IS VERY EASY TO PROGRAM THE PCM TO SEND ERRONEOUS CODES AT ANY TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY, ALLOWING THE CAR DEALERS TO CREATE A CASH FLOW THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS VERY LOOSE AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF
PURCHASED A USED 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS FROM ROUNDTREE FORD IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA. I LEFT WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SEATBELT SEEMED TO LATCH PROPERLY. I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND THE SEATBELT FAILED TO LATCH. NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED THE LATCH WOULD NOT FASTEN TO THE BELT. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE RUDE USED CAR MANAGER BILLY FLOWERS WHO DID SAY TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR BUT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A POLICY THAT SAFETY RESTRAINTS BE CHECKED BY SERVICE PERSONNEL PRIOR TO SALE OF A VEHICLE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE DOOR WAS LATCHED CORRECTLY. THE DEALER PROVIDED INFORMATION ON A RECALL FOR HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE FAILURE OF THE DOOR LATCH WHICH WAS NOT LISTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED A SECOND TIME AND LATER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE DOOR LATCH. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
FIRST THE DRIVER WINDOW WENT OUT, PASSANGER, AND THEN THE BACK AND THE LOCKS GO OFF WHEN EVER THEY WANT. MY CALL HAS LOW MILES FOR THE YEAR AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ACTING THIS WAY. IF I EOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT I COULDNT GET OUT OF MY WINDOW IF DOOR DIDNT OPEN AND I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FROM AN EBAY VENDOR: INSIDE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FOR A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS. THE RETURN SPRING ON THE ORIGINAL OEM HANDLE BROKE, BUT THE ORIGINAL HANDLE EVEN THOUGH BROKEN, STILL REMAINED OPERATIONAL. I ORDERED AND INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT AFTERMARKET DOOR HANDLE "DEPO" 330-500006-002 PURCHASED FROM AN EBAY VENDOR. 10 DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION, THE REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE FAILED AND THE DRIVERS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MAKING THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD HAD THERE BEEN AN EMERGENCY. OBVIOUSLY THE AFTER MARKET PART WAS NOT PROPERLY TESTED BEFORE SALE TO THE PUBLIC. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A SIDE STREET, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SHE LOST STEERING CONTROL AND THE CAR VEERED RIGHT. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE SLOWLY UNTIL THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. THE DRIVER CALLED A MECHANIC TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CHASSIS SECTION THAT SUPPORTS THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE CHASSIS. THE WELDED CONNECTION HAD SEPARATED AND SHEARED. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY, THE CONSEQUENCES TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, COULD HAVE BEEN MAJOR. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY THE CURRENT OWNER AND HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. THE CAR DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR OR ACCEPT A WARRANTY CLAIM. HE CLASSIFIED THE DEFECT AS CORROSION PERFORATION, WHEN IT IS A CLEAR CHASSIS WELD FAILURE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 BRAND NEW BRIDGESTONE TURANZA SERENITY PLUS 225/60R16 TIRES ON APRIL 26, 2015, AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED ON MY WIFE'S CAR. MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE DRIVING TO PHOENIX ON I-10 ON A CLEAR AND SUNNY DAY ON MAY 9, 2015 TO VISIT A FRIEND. SHE SAID SHE WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 75 MPH AND WANTED TO PASS A SEMI-TRUCK ON HER RIGHT SO SHE SPEED UP TO PASS THE SEMI-TRUCK. SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND SHE HELD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE CAN. THEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO SWERVE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SEMI-TRUCK. THE CAR STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE SEMI-TRUCK AND THE WINDOW GLASS ON THE FRONT AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHATTERED AND ALSO THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED BECAUSE THE ROOF OF THE CAR WAS BENT. AFTER THE IMPACT, MY WIFE'S CAR THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND WENT INTO A DITCH FILLED WITH WEEDS AND BUSHES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THE CAR DID NOT FLIP AND EVERYONE IN THE CAR WAS OK BECAUSE THEY ALL WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. THEY WERE SHAKEN UP A BIT BUT THE ORDEAL WAS TRAUMATIZING. THEY WERE ALSO LUCKY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OR BEHIND THEM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE, FIRE TRUCK, AND AMBULANCE CAME AND EXAMINED EVERYTHING. THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. FOR INSURANCE SAKE, THE POLICE SAID MY WIFE WAS AT FAULT BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEEDING WHILE TRYING TO PASS THE SEMI-TRUCK AND LOST CONTROL. I BELIEVE SHE LOST CONTROL BECAUSE THE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRE WAS COMING APART AND CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE TIRE AGAIN.
THE TIRES WORE PREMATURELY AT 24K MILES (MICHELIN XW4). NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FROM AN EBAY VENDOR: INSIDE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FOR A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS. THE RETURN SPRING ON THE ORIGINAL OEM HANDLE BROKE, BUT THE ORIGINAL HANDLE EVEN THOUGH BROKEN, STILL REMAINED OPERATIONAL. I ORDERED AND INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT AFTERMARKET DOOR HANDLE "DEPO" 330-500006-002 PURCHASED FROM AN EBAY VENDOR. 10 DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION, THE REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE FAILED AND THE DRIVERS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MAKING THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD HAD THERE BEEN AN EMERGENCY. OBVIOUSLY THE AFTER MARKET PART WAS NOT PROPERLY TESTED BEFORE SALE TO THE PUBLIC. *TR
WHILE DRIVING RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF AT 30 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
PUT CAR IN PARK, AND IT SHOWED TO BE IN PARK. BUT, IT WAS IN REVERSE, GOING BACKWARD, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
COOLANT LEAK FROM CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 97,130 MILES ON IT AND WELL CARED FOR. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USING PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION - IT SHOULD BE IRON OR ALUMINUM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WITH THE 4.6 V8 ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND REPLACE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. I WILL BE WRITING A LETTER TO FORD IF THE DEALER DOESN'T COVER THIS AS A RECALL. RIDICULOUS TO USE PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A HEAD-ON COLLISION PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, RELEASING A LIQUID THAT BURNED PASSENGER.*AK PASSENGER WAS SUFFERED FACIAL BURNS AND BRUISES TO UPPER BODY ALSO SORE FROM IMPACT. *YH
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING CHEMICALS TO LEAK OUT. THE CHEMICHALS INJURED AND BURNED THE DRIVER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER FAN AND BELT.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .