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 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose and made an abnormal sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering shaft was corroded, and the bearing had collapsed. The contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Catalytic converter FAIL, engine idles rough while in park. HIGH Loss of engine power while driving Differentials in back tires are imbalanced...timing FAIL. Steering not calibrated, drivetrain out of sync altogether. Back wheels, left and right; randomly spin & torque hard while car is already in motion on any private road, hidden road, domestic road and high capacity, high speed highway, causing vehicle to fishtail uncontrollably and dangerously, and wildly side to side potentially veering off the road which could result in death unless the driver regains proper control of vehicle. Out of sync car computer and the mechanical devices built into car do not have proper timing performed on those particular moving parts altogether. The car was not manufactured properly mechanically nor electrically altogether. Headlights & electric system etc have an incomplete recall on my vehicle. …
Steering of vehicle has become progressively more difficult. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn. Not being able to rapidly turn wheel places driver at risk to avoid any potential collision. Vehicle has been inspected by independent repair shop. Their assessment is corrosion on steering shaft joints is cause of issue.
My wife and 4 year old daughter were struck by a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis on 04/21/16. They were driving in eastbound traffic in a 2008 Nissan ultima and the driver of the Mercury Grand Marquis was driving in westbound traffic. The driver of the Grand Marquis lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the vehicle of my wife and daughter. The driver died at the scene of the accident. My wife sustained substantial damage to her right leg and my daughter sustained substantial trauma to her skull, neck, back, spinal cord, throat, and intestines. My daughter is paralyzed on the right side and the doctors say her prognosis is unknown. She has a tracheostomy and is unable to speak. I have read numerous complaints online regarding sudden loss of steering with 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles. Ford issued a recall for the steering column for 2005 through 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis cars. …
I have had more problems with my 2004 Grand Marquis, the lights don't work, headlights go off while driving at night, airbags don't work, electrical, seats, steering, brakes, all of the electrical, catalytic convertor keeps going out, also engine problems, among many other things. I was in an accident, where my steering didn't work properly and I was hit by someone, not my fault, but my car ended up spinning so bad that I hit my head off of the steering and received injuries,,party in other car was not injured. I was also driving at night on the highway and my lights went out, I was hit from behind.. But also, because of my headlights and steering this has been happening, air bags, never deploy... Received some serious injuries, banged my knew also very badly.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle swirled to the left. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The contact sustained burn injuries to the arm due to the air bag deployment, but did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
2004 Grand Marquis, power steering went out about 2 years ago, around 2016-2017, got it repaired at my expense. Was fine until about 4-5 months ago, started clicking/knocking noise when I turned steering wheel. This happens when stationary and when car is moving at any speed with turns. Also steering wheel does not return to center after turning unless I move it. It is also tight turning at times, feels like it is almost locking up sometimes. Afraid it will lock up and cause an accident. Not sure what the problem is but since 2005 and later models have been recalled for this issue think 2004 Grand Marquis need recall for this issue also. There are numerous reports of this issue and several accidents have happened because of this problem. This happens either stationary or at any speed on any surface. Mileage is just over 100,000 actual miles on my car.
The occupants (male driver, female passenger) were driving during daylight hours back home from an appointment. As the vehicle approached a curve the driver was unable to turn the steering wheel to any extent to hold his lane in the curve. The vehicle crashed through a guard rail and came to rest in a field. The driver sustained bumps & bruises. The passenger sustained a broken sternum and back pain. The car was a complete loss (totaled) as determined by the insurance company. When the recent GM recall occurred I checked the internet regarding Ford/Mercury products. Mercury had a recall for 2005-2011 vehicles for faulty steering columns that could lead to accidents. However, there were multiple reports from 2004 owners with the same issues. Therefore, I didn't to submit this incident to the ntsb.
I noticed a loud groaning sound from my car anytime I turned left or right. I took it to an independent shop, which flushed the power steering system and replaced the power steering pump. Afterwards, the car's steering was even worse, turning failed multiple times, would not turn left or right without excessive force. I fear for the safety of myself and my 4-year-old while operating the car. It is still at the shop, now they will replace rack and pinion shaft, and/or lower intermediate shaft, totaling near $2000. I cannot afford to pay, not when there is a recall for Grand Marquis' 2005-2011, manufactured March 4, 2004-2011 (recalls 13s08, 14s25) for the exact same issues. Please help, my car was manufactured within this window, on April 30, 2004.
Vehicle steering became stiff. Brought to local dealership and the lower steering shaft and intermediate steering shaft were seized from column. Had to have both steering shafts replaced. Definitely was dangerous and accident could have occurred. Total cost of replacement was $882.55. Vehicle was repaired at sarat Ford, 245 springfield st., agawam, ma 01001, [phone]. It is my understanding that there was a safety review for this problem that was initiated in the fall of 2014. What was the end result of the review? Do you anticipate a recall for this issue? Thank you, [redacted]
Steering complaints in other Grand Marquis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis, 19% of the model year's 348 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 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 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis steering 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 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.