RoadVitals

2011 Mercury Grand Marquis

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
9
Latest Mar 10, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 5, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis, most frequently naming the electrical, steering and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical327.3%
  • Steering218.2%
  • Fuel system19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Tires & wheels19.1%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Visibility19.1%
  • Brakes19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V704000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

Nov 5, 2014
36,888 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
The risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 14S25View on NHTSA.gov
13V385000

STEERING

Aug 29, 2013
355,000 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
The risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 13S08View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 10, 2026

225/60R17 tire purchased new started going flat in the first week. Walmart tire said there was no warranty. Receipt says otherwise. P&M tire of Blackwell, OK found defects in the interior sidewall and told us the tire had manufacturing defects. Reported to Nexen by making an account and filing a warranty request which they denied. They keep saying we are lying to deflect blame. We have the tire, it could be inspected by their preferred tire shop but they would rather be mad and yell at us. There is no receipt from P&M because they didn't charge us for looking at a tire they could not repair.

NHTSA ID
11723310
Incident
Jun 22, 2025
Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (STEERING). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11676660
Incident
Nov 28, 2024
Electrical
Filed Apr 2, 2019

DRIVING ON HUMID DAY, CLOSED WINDOWS AND TURNED ON A/C. CONTROLLER FAILED TO CLOSE DEFROSTER VENTS, CAUSING WINDOW TO QUICKLY FOG UP, RESTRICTING FORWARD VISION. PREVIOUSLY HAD SAME PROBLEM ON 2006 GRAND MARQUIS WHICH I HAD REPAIRED BY FORD DEALER. TOOK 2011 TO DEALER, GOT REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $900, AS DASHBOARD MUST BE REMOVED TO GET TO FAILING PART. AM TOLD PROBLEM IS VACUUM LEAK IN CONTROLLER COMPONENT. ALTHOUGH ASSOCIATED WITH A/C, WHICH GENERALLY IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, THE CONTROLLER FAILURE DOES RESULT IN A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11194012
Incident
Dec 5, 2018
Mileage
105,200 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 26, 2018
Fire reported

MY 2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS ULTIMATE EDITION, WAS VERY GREAT HOWEVER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS...THEY WOULD COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WOULD BE ON THE OFF POSITION... AND THE WIPERS ONLY WORKED ON A HIGH SPEED SEEING NONE OF THE OTHER SPEEDS WORKED...PRIME EXAMPLE I WOULD WARM UP THE CAR FOR 10 MIN...BECAUSE ITS COLD OUTSIDE THEN I WOULD DRIVE, ALL OF A SUDDEN MINUTES LATER, MY WINDSHIELD WIPER TURN ON BY ITSELF IN A HIGH SPEED POSITION , I TURNED THE WIPERS ON SO I CAN SEE IF TURNING OFF WOULD HELP IT DOESN'T SO CLEARLY IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN...AS IF A GHOST WAS IN IT...I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM..CLEARY THERE ARE OTHER MODELS OF THE SAME AND DIFFERENT YEAR NUMBERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM...THEY SAY ITS EITHER THE WIPERS MOTOR A RELAY OR THE WHOLE LEFT, RIGHT INDICATED SWITCH WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKS OFF OF...LONG STORY SHORT MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THE MORNING OF NOV.21, 2018 A DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE SET MY CAR ON FIRE..HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 1:45AM IN THE MORNING. DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THE CAR HAD..IT LOOKED LIKE A MOVIE WITH THE CAR ON FIRE. BECAUSE CLEARLY IF THE CAR IS PARKED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MOTOR IS STILL TRYING TO MOVE WITH NO POWER TO THE CAR...I LOVED THAT CAR SO MUCH..IT ALMOST CAUGHT MY HOUSE ON FIRE...COULD HAVE EXPLODED AND PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK.WHICH IT DID. AS MUCH AS I LOVE FORD, LINCOLN, MERCURY I AM JUST SADDENS AND DEVASTATED THAT THE CAR I WANTED LOVED AND BOUGHT OR SHALL I SAY FINANCED IS TOTALLED BUY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT BURNED THE INSIDE ALL UP IN MY CAR AND ENGINE IS BURNED OUT....AND THE FIRE WHEN I WAS WOKEN UP TO HEAR THIS WHEN I CALLED 911 AND WAS LOOKING OUTSIDE THE FIRE THAT I SEEN STARTED FROM THAT DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD WITH FIRE COMING FROM THE MOTOR OF THE WIPER ONTO HOOD

NHTSA ID
11154071
Incident
Nov 21, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 21, 2017

THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT CAR'S COMPUTER IS GENERATING A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. HE SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND APPEARS FROM THE MANY COMPLAINTS YOU'VE RECEIVED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 GRAND MARQUIS'S, I URGE DOT TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
11024863
Incident
Sep 18, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2016
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I SMELLED A WEIRD SMELL COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I TURNED TO LOOK TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR IT WAS SMOKING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AS I WAS DOING SO THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. I FINISHED PULLING OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF GOT OUT AND PULLED MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER OUT TRUNK WENT TO THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IN ORDER TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. TRULY UPSET AND SCARED ME. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAPPENED. I DID TAKE THE DOOR PANEL OFF WHAT'S I FIGURED IT SAFE TO AND TRY TO FIND WHERE AND HOW THE FIRE STARTED AND AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED. ALL I COULD SEE WAS SOME EXPOSED WIRES THAT WERE PARTIALLY COVERED IN BLUE TAPE. I WAS VERY LEARY TO DRIVE ON HOME BUT DID SO CAUTIOUSLY WITH WINDOWS DOWN. GRATEFUL I MADE IT HOME AND MY FAMILY WASN'T IN THE CAR. TOOK PICTURES THEY WILL BE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID
10862281
Incident
Apr 29, 2016
Mileage
97,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 20, 2014

DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH DASH DISPLAY INDICATING 60 MILES REMAINING ON FUEL SUPPLY WHEN CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL. TANK TOTALLY EMPTY DASH DISPLAY STILL INDICATED 60 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. FUEL GAGE HAS BEEN REGULARLY DECEITFUL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10592867
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
55,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

NHTSA ID
10553195
Incident
Oct 23, 2013
Mileage
30,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

DOR-L2Q6V-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This SKU is a Radiator Fan. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the electrical connections. An electrical connection issue may lead to the fan not working potentially throwing a check engine light for overheating.

SSM 47976

POWER TRAIN

On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.

SSM 47201

EQUIPMENT

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab  select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab  select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.

SSM 47009

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Access to this site is granted through Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES) and Dealer Principal, General Manager or Parts and Service Director can authorize users. Once authorized the retrieval process for master code can be obtained. The master code for the Accessory Keyless Entry Keypad cannot be retrieved from the body control module(BCM) with a diagnostic tool.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Grand Marquis by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011Viewing920—
2010242057.8
2009262049.6
2008783157.6
2007963253.9
20061433157.0
20054875460.3
20043472556.3
20033622658.2
2002782154.1
20011575363.8
20001628361.5
19991645361.9
19981437362.0
19973165760.6
19962396764.7
19951797664.2
19941563566.8
19931443564.7
19922553766.4
1991822164.4
1990561152.2
1989582166.1
1988733168.9
1987435272.1
1986212269.6
1985211161.1
1984152166.5
1983731—
1982310—
1981210—
1980020—
1979010—
1978100—
1977110—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.