Most common 1997 Ford Grand Marquis problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Grand Marquis complaints by model year
Best Grand Marquis years: 1999, 2001. Years to avoid: 1997. Compare all years →
What 1997 Ford Grand Marquis owners say
Engine & cooling
While driving, the temperature gauge was very high because the intake manifold failed. This caused the coolant to go inside the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop. The mechanic replaced the intake manifold. The vehicle overheated in traffic. This was a known problem.
1997 Mercury Grand Marquis cracked intake manifold. The vehicle stalled in heavy traffic almost hitting an 18 wheeler and Ford denied responsibility. The water pump was replaced but the steam continued to escape and the problem was diagnosed as a cracked manifold. The consumer was told that this was a well known problem for Ford because they have used plastic intake for some time and the vehicles were subject to higher temperatures and would stop in traffic with no warning.
Electrical system
While operating vehicle at 60 MPH the intake manifold behind the alternator cracked causing rapid loss of fluid resulting in loss of power,and control due to fan belt getting wet , steering became difficult and power componets shutting down. Control of vehicle decreased quickly, resulting in spark plug wires being damaged and plugs failing and engine shut down.
The vehicle experienced problems with it's turn signals as well as other electrical components.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Grand Marquis rates use caution: 2.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Marquis at the same age. It is one of the Grand Marquis years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis?
The engine & cooling — 11 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Next are the electrical system (3) and fuel & propulsion system (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Grand Marquis?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1999 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997. See the full Ford Grand Marquis years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Grand Marquis problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.