RoadVitals

1998 Mercury Marquis Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
29
Latest May 8, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 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

  • Steering412.1%
  • Engine412.1%
  • Suspension412.1%
  • Transmission39.1%
  • Brakes39.1%
  • Exterior lighting39.1%
  • Tires & wheels39.1%
  • Other / unspecified26.1%
  • Driver assistance26.1%
  • Body & structure26.1%
  • Seat belts13.0%
  • Electrical13.0%
  • Fuel system13.0%

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA ID 10715317 · filed May 8, 2015

98 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 50,000 MILES DRIVING 10 MPH THE PS TIEROD END FELL OFF LOSING ALL CONTROL. CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER ALL TIE ROD ENDS REPLACE WITH GREASABLE ENDS COST $400.00 THIS IS A SEALED TIE ROD END REQUIRING NO GREASE (MANUFACTURES DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL,I STILL HAVE OLD PARTS. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN INSPECTED NYS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10221071 · filed Mar 13, 2008

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD AND THE THERMOSTAT HOLDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB, INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM A BROKEN PART, RELEASING ANTI-FREEZE. THE THERMOSTAT GASKET HOUSING AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/15*JB

NHTSA ID 10679678 · filed Jan 29, 2015

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH STEAM WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA ID 10156305 · filed Apr 27, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA ID 10715317 · filed May 8, 2015

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40MPH SUDDENLY FRONT WHEELS KEPT SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. HAD NO STEERING CONTROL. WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT & FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. HAD 2 INJURIES. EMERGENCY RM TREATMENT. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY. *AK

NHTSA ID 845730 · filed Aug 24, 1999

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OWNER CAN NOT TELL WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID 10040714 · filed Sep 26, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION VIBRATED AND ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 8009261 · filed May 6, 2002

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR BRAKES DID NOT MATCH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-50 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC REPLACED 2 REAR ROTORS AND 2 REAR BRAKE PADS. ALSO MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD A DIFFERENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAN THE LEFT. *AK

NHTSA ID 10055958 · filed Jan 28, 2004

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS, VEHICLE KEEPS GOING AS IF NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 854217 · filed Dec 21, 1999

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHT LENSES MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO FROST ON THE OUTSIDE LENS. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE FAR DOWN THE ROAD WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE FINE AND NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE AND HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. WHEN THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE USED, ONCOMING VEHICLES DID NOT SIGNAL THE CONSUMER TO SWITCH BACK TO THE LOW BEAMS. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID 10044229 · filed Nov 19, 2003

HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK CONSUMER STATES AT 18880 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP ON DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE FOGGED UP AT 22704 MILES, DEALER REPLACED THEM, HOWEVER AT 41396 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED AGAIN AND DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE. *SLC

NHTSA ID 888692 · filed May 21, 2001

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, THE WHOLE TIRE CAME COMPLETELY APART AND THE TREAD HAD SHREDDED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10126657 · filed Jun 27, 2005

THE FIRST TIRE FAILED AS THE TREAD PARTIALLY SEPARATED AND WENT FLAT ON A FREEWAY TH IS WAS ON 12/02/2000 AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. THE SECOND TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT BUT THE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE ON 2/20/2001 AT APPROXIMATELY 35,500 MILES. *AK (TIRESIZE: P225 60R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225 60R16 )

NHTSA ID 741306 · filed Feb 22, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA ID 10715317 · filed May 8, 2015

JACK WARNING LABEL DOES NOT MEET FVMSS SAFETY STANDARDS. *AK REFER TO RECALL NO.# 00V200000. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID 10042733 · filed Nov 5, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID 10643847 · filed Oct 10, 2014

AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 500 MILES STOPPED AND STARTED VEHICLE, MOTOR ACCELERATED TO ALMOST FULL SPEED. DEALER CONTACTED AND FOUND PLASTIC SHIPPING COVER IN THROTTLE PLATE, WHICH WAS STUCK IN TO KEEP THROTTLE OPEN. REPAIR WORK DONE. *AK

NHTSA ID 844817 · filed Aug 11, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY TRUNK ON MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK,MY CAR HAS JUMPED TIMING TWICE IN A MONTH AND WAS STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE THE SECOND TIME AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND BUY THE TIMING KIT TWICE. NOT COUNTING ON ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 1998 NEW. THE CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME... WHICH IS MARVIN MINOR. I REALLY DO LIKE MY CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. 8NLM

NHTSA ID 10014437 · filed Apr 16, 2003

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HINGE FAILED.

NHTSA ID 607575 · filed Mar 12, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETURN TO RETRACTING MECHANISM AFTER USE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 8001910 · filed Jan 10, 2002

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY TRUNK ON MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK,MY CAR HAS JUMPED TIMING TWICE IN A MONTH AND WAS STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE THE SECOND TIME AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND BUY THE TIMING KIT TWICE. NOT COUNTING ON ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 1998 NEW. THE CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME... WHICH IS MARVIN MINOR. I REALLY DO LIKE MY CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. 8NLM

NHTSA ID 10014437 · filed Apr 16, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER WAS PUTTING GAS INTO VEHICLE WHEN NOTICED FUEL POURING OUT UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND WILL REPAIR VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE. BUT CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF BEING WITHOUT TRANSPORATION UNTIL REPAIRS ARE MADE. *AK

NHTSA ID 828323 · filed Sep 29, 1998

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

Data on this page last refreshed .