1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Suspension Problems

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

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.

NHTSA ID

11254228

Incident

Jun 6, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID

10643363

Incident

Sep 20, 2014

Mileage

112,000 mi

THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. THIS BREAKAGE RESULTED IN A IRREFUTABLE TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE WAS NOT A CRASH BECAUSE LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED IN A STREET WHILE THERE WERE NOT OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I WAS IN THE EXPRESSWAY I AM TOTALLY SURE IT HAD RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. CAR IS IN A REPAIR SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336904

Incident

Jun 17, 2010

Mileage

66,000 mi

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. MILEAGE 86,000. REFER TO IDO INVESTIGATION #RQ 03-002 AND RECALL #98V-322. ON 12/27/08, THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE BALL JOINT SUDDENLY SEPARATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN, DROPPING ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO THE GROUND AND THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ONTO FRONT TIRE. VEHICLE CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. THANKFULLY, FAILURE OCCURRED AT A LOW SPEED, IN NO TRAFFIC - AT HIGH SPEED OR IN TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IF NOT FATAL. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT - YOUR OFFICE INVESTIGATED THIS EXACT PROBLEM IN THE PAST AS CITED ABOVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR GRAND MARQUIS POLICE AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES DUE TO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I NOW KNOW THIS VEHICLE IS SUSPECT. I REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA CONSIDER REOPENING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL SERIOUSNESS/DANGER INVOLVED, AND THE MAJOR EXPENSE REQUIRED TO REPAIR THIS SEEMINGLY DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE SINCE THE TIME THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED. YOUR PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION DID NOT RULE OUT A DEFECT EXISTS, AND THAT FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN IF WARRANTED. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER ACTION. THIS VEHICLE PASSED NYS INSPECTION ON 12/8/08. WHILE THE BALL JOINT INSPECTION IS NOT REQUIRED BY NYS TO PASS, MY MECHANIC WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT IT REGARDLESS AS A GENERAL SAFETY ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE SUMMARY REPORT, FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS AMPLE WARNING OF AN IMMINENT FAILURE OF THIS ASSEMBLY (PLEASE READ THE SUMMARY REPORT). FOLLOWING THE MECHANIC'S INSPECTION TEST DRIVE, HE REPORTED NONE OF THE SYMPTOMS (LOOSE STEERING, FRONT END NOISE) WHICH FORD CLAIMS WILL WARN OF A POTENTIAL IMMINENT FAILURE. I ALSO NOTICED NONE OF THESE SYMPTOMS. TO CORRECT THIS I HAVE TO GO TO A SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY OFFER NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. BUYER AND DRIVER IT SEEMS, ACCORDING TO FORD, BEWARE. PART WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253303

Incident

Dec 27, 2008

Mileage

86,000 mi

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AND USING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS NO LUBRICATION ON THE BALL JOINTS NOR WAS THERE ANY WAY TO LUBRICATED THEM DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD BE ALRIGHT FOR A WHILE. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS WERE MADE AT THAT TIME. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 29 MPH UPHILL, THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT CRACKED AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND DAMAGING THE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 FEET AFTER THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE DRIVER LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE OTHER SIDE WAS AFFECTED AS WELL. THE DEALER REPAIRED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. *AK NOTE: FAILED COMPONENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST. *MJJ (11/211/05) THE CONSUMER FOUND THE COOLANT CROSSOVER CRACKED ON INTAKE. *SC *NM

NHTSA ID

10139329

Incident

Oct 11, 2005

Mileage

94,625 mi

DRIVING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FEEL OFF CAR. RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT CAME APART AND WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF. *BF LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE AND PULLED OUT OF THE SOCKET. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10099531

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

SUDDEN FAILURES OF BALL JOINTS AND STEERING LINKAGES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10095856

Incident

Jul 26, 2002

Mileage

65,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD CAME APART.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10091867

Incident

Sep 13, 2004

BALL JOINTS SEPARATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS ON A FLOOR JACK AND CONSUMER WAS UNDER VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094299

Incident

May 15, 2004

Mileage

65,000 mi

BALL JOINT ON RIGHT FRONT BROKE AND MADE TIRE GO FLAT.CAR WAS INOPERABLE , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

NHTSA ID

10064227

Incident

Oct 7, 2003

Mileage

48,000 mi

WHILE REVERSING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10048148

Mileage

76,000 mi

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 40/50 MPH DUE TO A CRACK IN THE BAG, PER DEALERSHIP. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTIONED, AND VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, BECAUSE IT SWERVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10038493

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD NOISE COMING FROM WHEEL. MECHANIC STATES THAT FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT HOLDS WHEEL ON TO FRAME WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8012556

Incident

Jun 15, 2002

DEALER (BOB SIGHT FORD) TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND MERCURY AND THAT FORD HAS RE-DESIGNED THE FRONT-END COMPONENTS. THIS REPAIR COST ME $966. FORD HAS STILL NOT OFFERED A RECALL DESPITE MANY FAILURES OF THESE PARTS.

NHTSA ID

730312

Incident

Jun 20, 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

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH OR ABOVE FRONT END VIBRATES OR SHAKES, BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR ALSO MAKES A POPPING SOUND WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID

842673

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND GOING OVER A BUMP OR MAKING A TURN, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

841907

Incident

Jun 21, 1999

POPPING NOISE IN LOWER FRONT RIGHT AREA OF CAR. PROBLEM W/ ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT PARTS - CONTROL ARM AND ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE, STILL POPS. RIDING IN BROTHER'S 97 CROWN VIC. HE HAD SAME POPPING NOISE AND SAID HIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL B/C OF IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND.

NHTSA ID

708307

Incident

Sep 1, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 60MPH STEERING BECOMES MORE UNCONTROLABLE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUMPS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER SAYS IT'S A DESIGN FLAW. *AK

NHTSA ID

834236

SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID

605887

Incident

Feb 27, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

825803

POOR SUSPENSION, CAUSING INSTABILITY.

NHTSA ID

537017

REAR SPRING/SHOCK FAILED CAUSING TIRE TO HIT AGAINST FENDER WELL.

NHTSA ID

535684

FRONT END NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED, CAUSING CONSTANT STEERING ADJUSTMENTS.

NHTSA ID

517366