Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am the owner of a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Several weeks ago the power steering on the vehicle quit. This was not the result of the power steering pump. The linkage in the steering system had ceased, causing the vehicle to be dangerously unsteerable. I have had this repaired at a cost of $575 dollars. I believe this is a safety issue that need immediate investigation and a safety recall. I contacted Ford Motor Company and was sent to Chat contact Shakura who gave me the Corporate runaround. We were lucky as this happened on a side road at low speed. If it had happened on an Interstate with speeds of 65 to 80 MPH I feel this could have resulted in a major accident. I should also point out this steering item is in Ford Crown Victorias and more than likely in Lincoln Continentals. Please advise and contact me with questions. Thank you in advance as this need to be resolved.
Ford panther vehicles had recirculating ball steering until 2002, redesigned to rack and pinion steering in 2003. Ford issued recall 13s08 for severe corrosion that can seize the lower intermediate steering shaft which May cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate, covering 2005-2012 vehicles but not 2003 and 2004 vehicles having same parts and symptoms. Steering has become extremely stiff, steering wheel not returning to straight ahead on its own, and difficult to steer at all speeds. Ford dealer lubricated lower steering shaft 2 months ago, but symptoms returned in 2,000 miles. These symptoms are concern for real danger of complete loss of steering.
Steering locks up while driving. While driving the steering locks up and you have to apply real force regain steering. I took to a mechanic and was informed it was the lowet steering joint. He informed me that hes encountered ithis on several occasions on this model car and there was a recal on this issue. I called my local dealership to inquire on the issue to be informed that it was the 2005+ model. I than called my) parts dealership to order the part to find out the part is for the 2003-2014 vehicle why isnt all applicable moldel years included in therecall
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 5 MPH in the driveway, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and failed. The failure almost caused a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,141.
When driving the car and making a turn in either direction, at the point the steering wheel has turned 180 degrees and is now upside down from "normal position", it feels as though the steering wheel is going to come off!!! It rocks back and forth in the upside down position. Also.... At times it feels hard to turn the wheel in either direction. This problem apparently comes from the upper and lower steering shafts where the u-joint connects the two steering shafts. If I slather grease on the shafts and work the steering wheel back and forth about 30 times, the "tough steering" or the feeling of no power steering subsides, but comes back in anywhere from 1 week to a month! I can be driving on the interstate and all at once I can not change lanes, which is very scary at times!!! When this happens at 65 MPH it is almost timpossible to steer the car!!! …
I purchased new tires today for this vehicle. Dealer advised having front end alignment checked due to wear patterns on tires. Brought the vehicle to my front end alignment shop and told then that there is "a flat spot when turning the wheel' the technician drove the vehicle and brought it into the shop to inspect the front end prior to doing any alignment work. The technician called the parts dealer and gave the VIN number and was told the availability of the OEM and after market parts. After hanging up the technician stated that Ford had previously recalled the 2003 Grand Marquis for the same issue, (lower steering shaft binding), but they couldn't find any open recall for this vehicle. I was quoted $270.00 for the part not including labor, alignment and tax. I believe this issue should be re-visited if it was originally a recall issue. …
Driving around a bend on a dark county highway in southern nj, no street lights. My headlights go out and wont come back on. Since my steering is stiff, I almost wrapped myself around a tree. Thank god, I have good brakes and driving on brand new tires on a dry road or I would be dead right now. My mechanic has always claimed that the stiff steering is a common problem & a manufacturing defect, but cost prohibitive for me to fix. When I took the car today, he said it was definitely the lighting control module ($600 part). He was unaware of the chronic problem that is happening as of late with the lcm's in 2003 Marquis. I think you guys closed the case too early on the lcm's, the complaints boards all over the internet about this problem are increasing in frequency. Combined with extremely stiff steering, headlights going out randomly is a recipe for disaster.
Vehicle has become increasing difficult to steer and requires manual strength to turn the wheel. At this time we are not able to drive the vehicle, the steering is too hard and would be too dangerous to drive. Doing research on this vehicle I have found that it is the same problem that other Marquis' have experience and for which there is a recall. The current recall only applies to the years of 2005 to 2011. Calling the Ford customer service department did not produce any help or results, only an apology that my car was not included in the recall. Ford should be required repair all Marquis with this same problem or at the very least provide help for those who call their customer service department complaining of the same issue.
While driving the steering freezes up while trying to make a turn. I took it to colonial Ford in Plymouth, ma. And they informed me it was a defective steering shaft I check the recall list and my wife who has a 2010 exact same model is on the recall list for steering problems and my neighbors daughter who has a 2000 exact same model has the same steering problem and took it to sullivan brothers in kingston, ma. And they fixed it for free saying it was a recall item why would all three car have the exact same problem with the steering and yet Ford only put a recall on the 2000 and the 2010, I do not understand why the 2003 in not on the recall list for the same problem.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the steering wheel would not return to the normal position after making a right or left turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the steering shaft was corroded. The technician lubricated the steering shaft and stated that if the failure continued the steering shaft would have to be replaced. The failure recurred about a month later. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Da
Steering complaints in other Grand Marquis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, 8% of the model year's 362 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, though it has 1 recall 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 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 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.