1994 Mercury 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 1994 Mercury 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
- Driver assistance820.5%
- Visibility717.9%
- Electrical615.4%
- Interior & seats410.3%
- Engine410.3%
- Brakes37.7%
- Exterior lighting25.1%
- Steering25.1%
- Tires & wheels12.6%
- Transmission12.6%
- Fuel system12.6%
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
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. A NICE MAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I WENT HOME POPPED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BAD FUSE. I FOUND IT IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT NOT UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SAW SMOKE I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND TORE THE WIRES FROM THE SWITCH. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND HE SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. WRONG YEAR. THIS IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT HAS CAUSED FIRES THAT BURNED DOWN HOMES AND HAS CAUSED DEATHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE CARS THAT HAVE THESE DEFECTIVE SWITCH'S. I OWN 1 OF THIS MODEL. MY FATHER- IN- LAW OWNS 1 ALSO. HIS CRUISE CONTROL WENT BAD 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT JUST NEVER CAUGHT ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN SO IT WOULD SHIFT. HE TOLD ME AFTER I GOT IT RUNNING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE. I NEVER LOOKED FOR THE BAD FUSE. SO HERE IS 2 CARS SAME YEAR SAME MAKE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM THAN FORD IS SAYING. I COULD OF LOST MY CAR AND HOUSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND NOT COVER IT. HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CARS ARE WAITING TO GO UP IN FLAMES. HOW MANY MORE DEATHS AND HOMES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS ALL GETS FIXED. *JB
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 A.M ON JULY 6, 2005, MY HUSBAND AND 16 YEAR OLD SON WERE AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR, TELLING THEM THAT OUR 1994 GRAND MARQUISE (MERCURY) WAS ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND AND SON BARELY ESCAPED WHEN THE FIRE HIT THE HOUSE AND BURNED OUR HOME DOWN TO THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NEARLY 7 1/2 HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY DAUGHTER (13 YEARS OLD) AND MYSELF WERE OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY DO NOT THINK THAT WE WOULD HAVE ALL FOUR ESCAPED FROM THE HOUSE. OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN DEVESTATED AND MY HUSBAND AND SON WERE NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED, BUT THE MENTAL ANGUISH THAT WE ARE ALL SUFFERING AND THE LOSS OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD, IS VERY HARD ON US ALL AND WE ARE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME HANDLING THIS.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEAR SIR/MADAM;IN THE PAST, I HAVE OWNED THE CHEVROLET VEGA, THE PONTIAC FIERO TWO OF THE POOREST AUTOMOBILES EVER BUILD BUT NEITHER OF THESE CARS CAN BEGAN TO COMPARE THE 1994 MERCUY MARQUIE AS TO POOR QUALITY. WITHOUT QUESTION, THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED!I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 15 WINDOW REGULARTORS INSTALLED FOR A COST OF FROM $175 TO $275 FOR EACH REGULAR INSTALLATION FOR AN APPROXIMATE TOTAL OF $3,000.00.WITH JUST 83,000 MILES, EASILY DRIVEN, THE CAR CURRENTLY USED 1 QT. OF OIL EVERY1,000 MILES. *AK OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE ASKED OTHER MERCURY MARQUIE AND FORD VICTORIA OWNERS OF THE SAME YEARS IF THEY HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. TODATE, I HAVE NEVER FOUND AN OWNER OF THESE SAME YEAR AUTOMOBILES THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND USUALLY MORE THAN ONCE. SERVICE MEN WILL ADVISE THAT. FORDS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT JUST THE YEARS OF THIS MODEL. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. I CANNOT SHOP AMERICAN AS I WOULD PREFER. I WILL SHOP THE JAPANESE MARKET AS I HAVE IN THE PAST AND WILL ALWAYS FOR FUTURE. THE AMERICAN MARKET CONTINUES TO REGRESS AS TO SIZE AND QUALITY. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, I WOULD ALSO REQUEST THAT THE NEXT TIME THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES COME BEGGING CONGRESS BECAUSE THE EUROPEAN, AISIAN, OR OTHER MANUFACTURES ARE TAKING THEIR BUSINESS THAT THEY BE REFUSED ANY LOANS AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. FORCED THEM TO USE THE PRIVATE LENDERS. THEY NEVER SEEM TO LEARN! BACK TO QUALITY - - BUY JAPANESE, J. B. CHAMBERS
THE CAR LIGHTS WENT OUT ON A FOGGY NIGHT ON A CURVING MOUNTAIN ROAD, REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL UNIT. *CJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/11/2014 *JS
1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. A NICE MAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I WENT HOME POPPED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BAD FUSE. I FOUND IT IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT NOT UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SAW SMOKE I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND TORE THE WIRES FROM THE SWITCH. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND HE SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. WRONG YEAR. THIS IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT HAS CAUSED FIRES THAT BURNED DOWN HOMES AND HAS CAUSED DEATHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE CARS THAT HAVE THESE DEFECTIVE SWITCH'S. I OWN 1 OF THIS MODEL. MY FATHER- IN- LAW OWNS 1 ALSO. HIS CRUISE CONTROL WENT BAD 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT JUST NEVER CAUGHT ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN SO IT WOULD SHIFT. HE TOLD ME AFTER I GOT IT RUNNING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE. I NEVER LOOKED FOR THE BAD FUSE. SO HERE IS 2 CARS SAME YEAR SAME MAKE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM THAN FORD IS SAYING. I COULD OF LOST MY CAR AND HOUSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND NOT COVER IT. HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CARS ARE WAITING TO GO UP IN FLAMES. HOW MANY MORE DEATHS AND HOMES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS ALL GETS FIXED. *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
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE TWICE, ONCE AT 39389 MILES AND AGAIN AT 83511 MILES. BOTH TIMES BOLTS HOLDING SEAT ASSEMBLY TO MAIN FRAME ASSEMBLY PULLED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE METAL.
BOTH RAILS (LEFT & RIGHT) THAT ATTACH THE SEAT TO TRACK ASSEMBLY BROKE ALLOWING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO TILT BACK. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED BUT SEAT WOULD HAVE COME APART IF IMPACT HAD OCCURRED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEAR SIR/MADAM;IN THE PAST, I HAVE OWNED THE CHEVROLET VEGA, THE PONTIAC FIERO TWO OF THE POOREST AUTOMOBILES EVER BUILD BUT NEITHER OF THESE CARS CAN BEGAN TO COMPARE THE 1994 MERCUY MARQUIE AS TO POOR QUALITY. WITHOUT QUESTION, THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED!I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 15 WINDOW REGULARTORS INSTALLED FOR A COST OF FROM $175 TO $275 FOR EACH REGULAR INSTALLATION FOR AN APPROXIMATE TOTAL OF $3,000.00.WITH JUST 83,000 MILES, EASILY DRIVEN, THE CAR CURRENTLY USED 1 QT. OF OIL EVERY1,000 MILES. *AK OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE ASKED OTHER MERCURY MARQUIE AND FORD VICTORIA OWNERS OF THE SAME YEARS IF THEY HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. TODATE, I HAVE NEVER FOUND AN OWNER OF THESE SAME YEAR AUTOMOBILES THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND USUALLY MORE THAN ONCE. SERVICE MEN WILL ADVISE THAT. FORDS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT JUST THE YEARS OF THIS MODEL. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. I CANNOT SHOP AMERICAN AS I WOULD PREFER. I WILL SHOP THE JAPANESE MARKET AS I HAVE IN THE PAST AND WILL ALWAYS FOR FUTURE. THE AMERICAN MARKET CONTINUES TO REGRESS AS TO SIZE AND QUALITY. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, I WOULD ALSO REQUEST THAT THE NEXT TIME THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES COME BEGGING CONGRESS BECAUSE THE EUROPEAN, AISIAN, OR OTHER MANUFACTURES ARE TAKING THEIR BUSINESS THAT THEY BE REFUSED ANY LOANS AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. FORCED THEM TO USE THE PRIVATE LENDERS. THEY NEVER SEEM TO LEARN! BACK TO QUALITY - - BUY JAPANESE, J. B. CHAMBERS
THE CAR LIGHTS WENT OUT ON A FOGGY NIGHT ON A CURVING MOUNTAIN ROAD, REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL UNIT. *CJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR LIGHTS WENT OUT ON A FOGGY NIGHT ON A CURVING MOUNTAIN ROAD, REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL UNIT. *CJ
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND CONNECTOR PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE CAR LIGHTS WENT OUT ON A FOGGY NIGHT ON A CURVING MOUNTAIN ROAD, REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL UNIT. *CJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING STICKS AT ALL SPEED WHEN TURING LEFT. SLIGHT JERK ON STEERING WHEEL RELEASES STICK. *AK
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
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
BRIDGESTONE TURANZA T PASSENGER TIRES; P215/70R MADE IN JAPAN. JDJ469; K9902; DOT H434 97T; QL20HZ ONLY LASTED APPROXIMATELY 2K MILES BEFORE THE BELTS BROKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
EPC SOLONOID FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ODOR OF GASOLINE PERMEATES THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE CAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. *AK
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 .