Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact started the vehicle and noticed smoke rising from the engine compartment. He then noticed that all of the coolant had leaked out of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and they stated that the upper and lower intake gaskets needed to be replaced. The contact later found a recall that applied to the failures he was experiencing. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired and the contact wants to be reimbursed. The NHTSA recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 39,336 and current mileage was 40,000.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began making a knocking noise and the contact noticed smoke rising from underneath the hood. She pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to the repair shop. The mechanic stated that the plastic intake valve melted. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 89,021. The dealer stated 1 set of disc pads, 2 new rotors, and clutch fan. Updated 09/25/07
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. While parked in the residence carport, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the flames. The massive fire completely destroyed the vehicle and caused damages to the home. There were no personal injuries. At this time the cause of failure has not been determined. The manufacturer and insurance company were notified. The failure and current mileages were 96,000.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that there was steam emitting from the engine compartment. A mechanic advised the contact that there was a crack in the plastic intake manifold. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileages were approximately 85,000.
While driving manifold cracked, causing a fire in the fuel tank. Dealer notified. While driving the manifold cracked which caused antifreeze to leak from the vehicle. The dealer indicated that the manifold was a defective part and that they replaced many of them with the same type of failure.
Regarding my 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. Engine fire on August 15,2007 in my driveway. Key off, vehicle driven and parked 1/2 hour before incident. I received fords recall notice on sept. 4, 2007.
September of 2003 the intake manifold blew in my car on my way to my dads funeral and I contacted the Ford company about it and they said it was going to cost me 690.00 to get it fixed and I said that wasnt right. They recalled the police cars and taxi cabs with the same problem but would not recall the consumers vehicles. I told them that I knew they had brought those vehicles back so then they offered to do the job for 590.00 strange isnt it!! I got the job done but I still think that they should recall these vehicles. Then today I went out to get in my car which I just drove yesterday and now it wont run again now its the computer that went out in it and it is going to cost me another 130.00 to get a new computer , this is not good this car is the first newer car that I ever owned it is a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis yes I know it isnt that new and yes it had alot of miles on it but …
Had just turned off freeway when warning chime for overheated engine sounded. Stopped car within one block & turned off motor. Towed to mechanic. Turns out to be the intake manifold catastrophic failure, common to fords (mine is 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis, 71K miles.) am now running compression test to see if any engine damage, if there is no damage then I will have to fix manifold at a cost of approx. $1036. If there is engine damage then I will have to junk a perfectly fine car in excellent condition (apart from this). Ford does not offer any redress. I never received any information about this problem, nor about the class action lawsuit settlement. This could have been extremely dangerous, as I had just excited a freeway when the warning beep sounded. I have received all other recall info on this vehicle and have complied w. Recall. …
While driving my vehicle home from work in the evening, the car started to putter, then smoke came pouring out from under the engine hood blocking my view from the road causing cars to race around me and almost had an accident...also started coming in the vents of the car, making me nausea. Extreme danger and fear. I had to have the car towed $65.00 and the repair estimate came in at $900.00. Cracked plastic intake manifold. ??plastic?? Who does that? I have been unemployed and only able to get part time employment. I can't afford this repair so I had to have the car towed back to my house...another $65.00. The car only has 85,218 miles on it and has been kept immaculate. I contacted Mercury/Ford and they said there is nothing they can do. …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. Occasionally, when driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle would vibrate. The vibration also occurred while driving between 35-40 MPH. The contact stated that she had to add water to the antifreeze receptacle each day because the vehicle would overheat. While making a left turn, the contact would hear a rustling sound as if something was rubbing together. In addition, the rear windows would not go down. The front passenger side window would go down, but would not go back up. The contact was informed that the failure was electrical. The blinkers, brake lights, and cruise control have failed. She also received a safety recall notice for the vehicle speed control. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 90,647 and failure mileage was 73,000.
NHTSA investigations
Speed control deactivation switch fires
Based on the low rate of fire incidents (2.5 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold) where failure of the scds is involved and the age of the vehicles ? 7 to 11 years ? A safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves…
Engine complaints in other Grand Marquis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis, 36% of the model year's 239 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (35 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 7 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.