1999 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Marquis at the same age

Owners have filed 164 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Grand Marquis at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (33 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

164complaints
3recalls
17crashes
2fires
11injuries
0deaths

Most common 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

  • Engine & cooling~103,000 miles
    3320%
  • Lights~140,000 miles
    2113%
  • Suspension~200,000 miles
    1811%
  • Steering~90,000 miles
    1610%
  • Electrical system~130,000 miles
    159%
  • Wheels & tires~80,000 miles
    149%
  • Speed control & acceleration~108,000 miles
    127%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~120,000 miles
    127%
  • Brakes~42,000 miles
    95%
  • Seat belts~86,000 miles
    74%
  • Body & structure~116,000 miles
    74%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof
    64%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~78,000 miles
    64%
  • Air bags
    53%
  • Equipment & accessories~81,000 miles
    42%
  • Locks & latches
    32%
  • Seats
    21%
  • Other / not specified
    21%
  • A/C & heater
    11%

Share of the 164 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercury Grand Marquis complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’1117923931614316416215778362348488143968026259
Owner complaints per model year, Mercury Grand Marquis. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand Marquis years: 2011, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2005, 1997, 1996, 2003. Compare all years →

1999 Mercury Grand Marquis recalls (3)

Equipment › Mechanical › Integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

NHTSA recall 00V-200 · Jul 18, 2000 · 875,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles have jacking instructions which, if followed, could cause the vehicle operator to place the jack on a frame weld when attempting to raise a rear wheel.

Remedy: Owners will be provided with a revised jack instruction and stowage card and jack warning label, as well as a supplement to the owner guide.

Seat belts › Front › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 00V157001 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,167 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket driver's seat belt assemblies that were sold by Ford parts departments from January 1, through June 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.

Seat belts › Front › Anchorage

NHTSA recall 00V157002 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,129 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket front passenger side seat belt assemblies that were sold by Ford parts departments from January 1, through June 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis:

Post rear end collision fires

NHTSA investigation SQ01014 · opened Nov 27, 2001 · closed Oct 3, 2002 · led to recall 02I-003

There is no summary currently available

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

NHTSA investigation DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006

On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…

Fuel-fed fires

NHTSA investigation DP02007 · opened Aug 22, 2002 · closed Dec 4, 2002

The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this…

What 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis owners say

Engine & cooling all 33 →

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle had a leaking intake manifold. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · 120,000 miles · Dec 2021

Intake manifold failed (burned and disintegrated in the area of the thermostat ) and had to be replaced at considerable expense . Presently the speedometer fails intermittently dropping to zero at random moments. Most importantly the lights cut out intermittently usually when the heat is on and on longer trips. Also, most times it has happened when it has been raining and colder. Drove upwards of 40 miles with the headlights cutting out intermittently in the rain and cold, problem has continued to recur but seems to be related possibly to having the heat on. I believe the lighting control module is located near a heating outlet and May be suffering a failure as a result but this is just speculation. Also, previously when I had pulled into a rest area for awhile, after cooling down, the problem went away for a little while then resumed after about ten miles with the heat on. …

118,000 miles · Nov 2016

Lights all 21 →

Intake manifold failed (burned and disintegrated in the area of the thermostat ) and had to be replaced at considerable expense . Presently the speedometer fails intermittently dropping to zero at random moments. Most importantly the lights cut out intermittently usually when the heat is on and on longer trips. Also, most times it has happened when it has been raining and colder. Drove upwards of 40 miles with the headlights cutting out intermittently in the rain and cold, problem has continued to recur but seems to be related possibly to having the heat on. I believe the lighting control module is located near a heating outlet and May be suffering a failure as a result but this is just speculation. Also, previously when I had pulled into a rest area for awhile, after cooling down, the problem went away for a little while then resumed after about ten miles with the heat on. …

118,000 miles · Nov 2016

We own three Mercury Grand Marquis, love the cars however all three( 2000, 1999 and second 1999 all intemitantly loose headlights when high beams are on. If I quickly go to low beams I can see again...its like they are overheating with the amp draw of high beams and circuit breaks. This is way too common to be OK. It dangerous especially if one gets rattled with complete darkness at night and high speed. Bumps also seam to slightly affect it sometimes. This happens any time the gray 99 has high beams on for about 45mins. Only 10-15mins on blue 1999 and 2000 not as frequent yet but only has about 75K miles, where as the 1999 are 150-210 respectively. Started 5 years ago on my first and I just did not use high beam since I purchase second 1999 to replace first and had title issues so bought the 3rd 2000 and found they all have the same flaw!! My cell [redacted].

160,000 miles · Jun 2014

Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the ball joints were replaced but the bolt that held it in place was loose and caused the carter key to fail to hold the bolt in place. As a result, the bolt neck detached while the contact was driving approximately 20 MPH and caused the vehicle to stop abruptly. As a result, the contact's head hit the steering wheel. The contact suffered a whip lash that required a medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired by the contact who was an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

200,000 miles · Sep 2016

Steering is very hard to control, it goes where bumps and dips take you. Car will jump all over the road. Steering has constant pull to left with lots noise. Also steel to steel slamming noise. Steering colum inside car moves. Dealers look make some adjustments,say found no problem. But problems continue. I returned for repeat preformance. Very rough ride front and rear . Electrical problems surfacing, lights flickering,dash,dome headlights etc., engine cut out as if I turned it off and then came back on each time ihave been sitting still, talk about a dangerous driving situation! Again the dealer checks it out finds no problem says they cant always find a problem until it happens and they have the car when the problem occurs. Alot of good thats going to do driving down the highway at 60mph with 5 kids in the car!!! …

Front · May 2000

1999 Mercury Grand Marquis engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automaticRWD15 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis a good car?

Based on 164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Grand Marquis rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Marquis at the same age. 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 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis?

The engine & cooling — 33 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Next are the lights (21) and suspension (18).

How many recalls does the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

There are 3 recalls for the 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis, the most recent from July 18, 2000 (integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercury Grand Marquis?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 1997, 1996 and 2003. See the full Mercury Grand Marquis years comparison.

At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 103,000 miles; 8% 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.