1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Complaints

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH.

NHTSA ID

11404137

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

241,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING HIS VEHICLE AT HIS RESIDENCE, HE NOTICED THE FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO EXPRESSWAY FORD OF MOUNT VERNON (3800 HIGHWAY 62 E, MOUNT VERNON, IN 47620) ON MAY 30 2020, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT SHOCKS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,400.

NHTSA ID

11360434

Incident

May 20, 2020

Mileage

165,400 mi

CRACKED AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWING IT TO OVER HEAT AND MESSING UP MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR

NHTSA ID

11128800

Incident

Aug 14, 2018

Mileage

74,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11121928

Incident

Aug 16, 2018

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FR380 TIRES, SIZE: P225/60R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD PREMATURE BLISTERS AND TREAD DETERIORATION. THE TIRE REPAIR FACILITY (FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE, 4401 N FIRST AVE, EVANSVILLE, IN 47710, (812) 618-3542) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT A SIMILAR TIRE MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRES BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE FACILITY. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11076371

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,784.

NHTSA ID

10927822

Incident

Nov 24, 2016

Mileage

165,784 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK OUT AND DAMAGE THE ENGINE COILS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10871517

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

AUTOZONE- VALUCRAFT BRAND- BALL JOINTS PART NUMBER VFA2101 I RECENTLY HAD MY BALL JOINTS REPLACED AND I HAD A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT FASTENING HARDWARE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE CITY ROAD IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT 45 MPH. IT CAUSED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE AND IT ALSO ALMOST CAUSE ME GREAT INJURY. I SUSPECT AUTOZONE IS USING LOW GRADE NUTS CAUSE THE NUT THAT WAS ON THE BALL JOINT SHEARED OFF CAUSING ME TO BEND A CONTROL ARM, CRACK MY FRAME, BLOW A TIRE, ALL WHILE BARELY MISSING A TELEPHONE POLE. HAD I BEEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT I COULD HAVE FLIPPED MY CAR, GOT PULLED UNDER A SEMI, CROSS THE MEDIAN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND SO ON. I WOULD LIKE FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE STARTED ON THEIR POOR ENGINEERING CHOICES AND A RECALL TO BE STARTED. ITS JUST NOT FOR THE SAFETY OF ME BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE. I DO HAVE ALL DAMAGE PICTURES AND PICTURES OF THE FAILURE POINT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE NUT IN QUESTION COMPARED TO ANOTHER COMPETITORS BRAND AND THERE IS A NOTICEABLE SIZE DIFFERENCE AND HARDNESS DIFFERENCE. THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED 9/26/2015 AND FAILED ON 4/25/2016. AUTOZONE PART NUMBER VFA2101. MY BELIEF IS THE NUT IS A LOWER GRADE WHEN IT SHOULD BE A GRADE 8 NUT. I SAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THE AUTO BODY SHOPS AROUND ME SAID THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE FRAME BECAUSE ITS A LIABILITY AND WOULD RECOMMEND A NEW FRAME TO BE PUT UNDER THE VEHICLE ESSENTIALLY TOTALING MY CAR OUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10861946

Incident

Apr 25, 2016

Mileage

213,760 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

10823801

Incident

Dec 27, 2015

Mileage

86,000 mi

LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS INOPERATIVE IN PARK OR DRIVE, BULBS & WIRING CHECKS GOOD, 25 AMP FUSE WAS BLOWN, BUT REPLACED FUSE CAUSED NO CHANGE.

NHTSA ID

10810807

Incident

Sep 5, 2015

Mileage

722,530 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT, THAN ON, AND OUT. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR MY WIFE DRIVING WITH KIDS.

NHTSA ID

10778737

Incident

Jul 6, 2015

Mileage

108,284 mi

I OBSERVED A COOLANT LEAK AROUND THE THERMOSTAT. I FOUND THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD TO BE CRACKED AROUND THE THERMOSTAT AND LEAKING COOLANT. I MADE CONTACT WITH MERCURY AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD IN WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE PART AT NO CHARGE DURING THE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE SAFETY RECALL AND HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 04/17/02 WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A MERCURY DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NO LONGER HONOR THIS RECALL ALTHOUGH THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THESE ENGINES STILL ON THE ROAD. THE ALL PLASTIC MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH AN INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH AN ALUMINUM CROSSOVER CHANNEL FOR THE COOLANT. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART OUT-OF-POCKET AT A COST OF $800. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE HAD I NOT BEEN FRIENDS WITH THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD 102,281 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574132

Incident

Jun 6, 2009

Mileage

102,281 mi

VEHICLE STARTED TO BUCK AND WHEN I PULLED MY VEHICLE OVER I LIFTED THE HOOD. I FOUND ANTI-FREEZE FLOWING ON THE TOP OF MY ENGINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE & THEY TOLD ME THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THERE'S A RECALL ON THIS PART. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART, BUT IT'S ONLY FOR POLICE AND FLEET VEHICLES ONLY. NOW THAT THIS WAS SAID TO ME, I WAS TOLD BY MY GARAGE IT WOULD COST ME $1000 TO FIX. SOMETHING I DON'T HAVE. FORD WAS NOT VERY COOPERATIVE ABOUT MY SITUATION AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513357

Incident

May 23, 2013

Mileage

127,300 mi

WHILE DRIVING OR BACKING AT SLOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE(WHICH HAS VERY VERY LOW MILES) MAKES LOUD,BANGING,POUNDING,BINDING NOISES AND SOUNDS LIKE THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS GOING TO FALL OFF. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES 15 YEARS OLD OR NOT. I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME OR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN BY AN OLDER COUPLE AKA MY GRANDPARENTS WHO BOUGHT IT NEW IN 98' AND THEY BOTH PASSED AWAY IN 2012. THIS MAY BE IN PART DUE TO THE "DOUBLE WISHBONE" SUSPENSION WHICH I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. I AM EXTRA UPSET AS I SAID DUE THE FACT THAT THIS CAR HAS ONLY HAD AN AVERAGE OF JUST OVER 2,000 MILES ANNUALLY AND WAS TREATED VERY WELL. THE CAR LOOKS LIKE NEW BUT SCARES ME HALF TO DEATH WHEN I HEAR THIS UNMISTAKABLE LOUD SOUND OF BROKEN,BINDING,LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE PARTS. I AM ABLE TO REPAIR IT BUT WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO THE SAME STORY BEING POSTED OVER AND OVER. THIS CAR,EITHER MODEL THE GS OR LS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IF YOU ARE A PROSPECTIVE BUYER,PLEASE DRIVE THE CAR SLOWLY THEN TURN IN REVERSE AND IF IT EXISTS THE PROBLEM WILL SOUND OFF IMMEDIATELY. IF BACKING OUT WITH A VERY SLIGHT CURB,THE CAR WILL SOUND MUCH WORSE.FORD IS NOT KNOWN FOR ITS FRONT ENDS OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT ITS CARS AND TRUCKS FRONT ENDS ARE EITHER NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO ALIGN AND/OR ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN ANY OTHER CAR MAKER,FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THIS TRAVESTY OF A FRONT END. WITHOUT TAKING A VISUAL I WOULD SAY IT MY CAR NEEDS BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS,TIE ROD ENDS AND A FULL SUSPENSION CHECK OR REBUILD. IF ANYONE HEARS THIS IN A CAR FROM A DEALER OR ELSEWHERE=DO NOT BUY!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10494784

Incident

Nov 8, 2011

Mileage

31,000 mi

DURING NORMAL DRIVING NOTICED A SQUEAKING AND GROANING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF CAR. STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSE AND WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE BALL JOINTS,SHOCKS,BUSHINGS ARE DRY AND THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LUBRICATED BECAUSE IT IS SEALED. SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE REGARDING THESE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT THE TIRES COULD FALL OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10447085

Incident

Jan 23, 2012

Mileage

83,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10446373

Incident

Feb 1, 2010

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/13/12*LJ UPDATED 01/19/12

NHTSA ID

10439046

Incident

Dec 8, 2011

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOMING NOISE FROM INSIDE HIS HOME. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID

10412167

Incident

Jul 13, 2011

Mileage

63,000 mi

MY 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS TAILIGHTS FAIL. DURING THIS ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING WILL START FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN JUST COMPLETELY GO OFF, AS WELL AS THE LIGHTS ON THE DOORS AND LIGHT AROUND THE DASH CONTROLS SUCH AS (AC BUTTONS AN KNOBS) THIS HAPPENED RARELY, BUT NOW IT HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I GOOGLED THIS AND MANY MORE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS AS IF ITS COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES. ON THE FORUMS SOME SAY A LIGHT CONTROL BOX NEEDS REPLACING, AND THEN SOME SAY A HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE NEEDS REPLACING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE FILED FOR THE REPLACING OF THE BAD PART CAUSING THIS ISSUE. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO SOMEONE IF THIS HAPPENS ON A DARK WINDY ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10394258

Incident

Aug 7, 2010

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS FLUSHED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DESIGNED USING PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,950.

NHTSA ID

10384475

Incident

Feb 18, 2011

Mileage

64,950 mi

VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY GAVE OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THE APPROXIMATE STARTING TIME TO THIS PROBLEM, WHEN THE COMPRESSOR WAS ACTING UP, WAS BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010. THE CAR SITS SO LOW TO THE GROUND NOW THAT I WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF IT ALTOGETHER (EITHER HAVE A JUNK YARD BUY IT OR GET RID OF IT AS A PARTS CAR), AS IT'S UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE, LET ALONE HAVE MY DAUGHTER IN. ALSO, I'M A POOR MOTHER, UNEMPLOYED, WHO DEFINITELY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE LARGE COSTS OF GETTING THIS FIXED. IN TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, IT'S EITHER THE COMPRESSOR HAS GONE BAD, A WIRING PROBLEM, OR A PROBLEM WITH THE ON/OFF SWITCH IN THE TRUNK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10361638

Incident

Oct 21, 2010

Mileage

142,767 mi

1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER STATES FAULTY REAR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES FIRMLY, BUT NOT HARD, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD STRIKING A SIGN AND DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY AND FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE SPONGY BRAKES WERE NORMAL. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY RESTORED THE BRAKES BACK TO NORMAL OPERATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10350908

Incident

May 21, 2010

THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD IN MY 1998 GRAND MARQUIS HAS CRACKED RESULTING IN ENGINE COOLANT FLUID LEAK AND ENGINE FAILURE. IT IS BEING REPAIRED TODAY. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS OCCURS BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10307810

Incident

Feb 7, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. WHILE EXAMINING THE ENGINE HE ALSO NOTICED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10294722

Incident

Dec 5, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FIXED, THE ALTERNATOR,THE REGULATOR,ALL THE PIG-TAILS,AND A NEW BATTERY. I AM STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE PAID OUT ALOT OF MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND I TOW ALOT OF VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE SAME REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275820

Incident

May 5, 2009

Mileage

95,500 mi