1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

THE WHOLE CAR WOULD RATTLE IF YOU WOULD HIT A BUMP LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS BODY MOUNTS THE CAR ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE BODY MOUNTS ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEN I HAD TO PAY $900.00 TO REPLACE THEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT!!!!*AK

THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT STAY OPEN ON AN INCLINE, CONSUMER HAS HAD ANKLE CAUGHT TWICE. *MJS

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

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.

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

WHILE DRIVING FUEL PUMP FAILED AND VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

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.

THE CONSUMER EXPRIENCED PROBLEMS WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE (P225/50R16 EAGLE LS 706449034) AND (P225/60R16 EAGLE LS BSB 706517492) TIRE TREAD DELAMINATION. *TT *SCC

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

PROBLEMS WITH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS.*MR THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, SOME OF THEM TWICE. FORD PUT UNGREASED PARTS ON. EVENTUALLY THEY DRIED OUT AGAIN AND STARTED SQUEAKING. IF NOT REPLACED THEY WOULD POSSIBLY BREAK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. *PH THE FRONT BRAKES WERE RESURFACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AFTER IT WAS PUT IN TO PARK. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT SOMETHING CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. UPDATED 8/16/2006 - *NM

DEALER REPLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 49000 MILES AT COST $1,800 TO THE CONSUMER. *AK

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.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, BLACK TOXIC SMOKE SUDDENLY STARTED BELLOWING OUT FROM AROUND THE RADIO AREA IN THE CENTER DASHBOARD. A LOUD RAPID CLICKING SOUND WAS ALSO HEARD. UPON REALIZING WHAT WAS GOING ON, I STEERED THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY RAMP AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. I INSPECTED THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. UPON A 15 MIN SHUTDOWN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND BOTH THE SMOKE AND CLICKING SOUND HAD CEASED SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. ON 28 DEC 00 THE MERCURY DEALER ONLY REMOVED THE RADIO AND GLOVEBOX AND NOTED NOTHING ABNORMAL. AS A CONSUMER I AM NOT SATISFIED, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOISY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE SCRAPING WINDSHIELD. MECHANIC INSPECTED MOTOR, AND SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT A COLLISION. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK THE REAR GLASS SHUTTERED COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. *YH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER USED A STARTER BATTERY KIT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE OR CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE AAA REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE STALLING MAY BE DUE TO ENGINE MOTOR FAILURE. DEALERSHIP AND SEARS RETAIL STORE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. ALSO , THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED REAR END COLLISION.*AK OWNER IS AN EX PHILADELPHIA EAGLE FOOTBALL PLAYER NAMED CURTIS BUNCH-BLACK. *TC

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, HIGHWAY CRASH, TRAVELLING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DAMAGE, HAVEN'T HEARD A $ AMOUNT FROM INSURANCE YET. SEAT BELT SAVED MY SON'S LIFE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RELEASE THE BELT. THE CONSUMER TRIED PULLING THE SEAT BELT OUT OF RETRACTOR, INSTEAD THE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. CONSUMER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF SEAT BELT. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO BE RELEASED. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELTS BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. *PH *JB

SEAT BELT RETRACTION ON BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE IS EXTREMELY SLUGGISH. CONSEQUENTLY, THE BELT SLACK FREQUENTLY GETS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR WHEN IT'S CLOSED, AND THUS PROVIDES NO PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS IF A CRASH OCCURRED. I COMPLAINED TO FORD DEALERS BUT THEY CLAIMED WARRANTY WAS ONLY PROVIDED UP TO 5/50,000 ON SAFETY EQUIPMENT. IN MY OPINION, THIS DEFECT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN SEAT ANCHORS COMING LOOSE AND THE BELT RETRACTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE. *AK

ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM DIFFERENTIAL AT 50-65 MPH. *AK

THE VEHICLE SITS UNEVEN AFTER THE REAR AIR SPRINGS ARE INFLATED. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T FALL WITHIN MANUFACTURER SPECS.

WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM WHEELS LOCKING MECHANISM AND THE HUB:CAPS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

YOUR FORM IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE FOR A COMPLAINT OF THIS NATURE. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE FLOOR MATS. THEY ARE SO LIGHT WEIGHT THAT THEY TEND TO SHIFT WHEN ONE ENTERS OR DEPARTS THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO SHIFT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, DUE TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE FOOT BETWEEN THE BRAKES AND THE GAS. EVEN THE RETENTION POST FOR THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT FAILS TO KEEP IT IN PLACE. IT TENDS TO ROTATE TO THE RIGHT AND MOVE FORWARD TOWARD THE PEDALS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE FLOOR MAT WERE TO JAM EITHER THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WHILE DRIVING THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING, A TOW TRUCK DRIVER CRANKED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT ONTO THE TOW TRUCK. BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED TO THE TOW TRUCK, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AREA AND SUDDENLY IT BURST INTO FLAMES.