Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Around 12 years ago, when my 2006 Marquis, which I purchased brand new, had only approximately 40,000 miles on it, the seatbelt-airbag system warning appeared on the instrument panel and a warning bell sound went off with a 3 beep then 2 beeps/ring tone that would sound whenever the vehicle was started for the next two minutes of driving. It would then stop but the yellow warning icon stays on. On a trip, while driving, it will do this every hour or so or 60 miles of driving, and has done this ever since. (I'm retired and drive very little, my vehicle as of today (5-13-2022) has only 54,462 actual miles on it.) I did some research when it first occurred and learned that the 3 - 2 beeps is a "code 32, seat belt pre-tensioner failure warning and will need immediate service and replacement." So I then called Ford and explained it as above. …
In feb, 2014, I originally had a minor crash when another driver was cited for reckless driving. His insurance paid for my damage. No airbags were deployed on either me, the driver, or my mother, the passenger. We were belted in. Recently, on September 7th, 2015, the airbag warning light and chimes came on when I started the vehicle. The light continues to come on, the chime rings in 3 sets of 5 periodically. The dealer that fixed the original damage, alan jay, ran a $55 diagnostic and stated the passenger seat belt pretensioner was open, and that this could have only occurred in an accident. I asked why the system did not respond the 1 1/2 years earlier when the accident occurred? …
Air bag light came on vehicle when opening door, took to private shop and dealer future Ford of roseville and both states it is a common issue with this model. Called Ford on their toll free number and stated since it's not a ntsb recall they are not obligated to fix. Error is that tensioner spring or/and canister in tensioner is over sensitive and will likely fail and cause a high ohm reading to the computer, causing error light on, to blink 3-3 for driver side or 3-4 for passenger, and disabling airbags. Dealership is back logged on orders for new seatbelt assemblies, that in some cases May take over two weeks for order to clear. Assemblies are faulty by design. Ntsb should investigate Ford and make a mandatory recall for this and similar models and multiple years that use this assembly type, since this issue is a safety risk, and a design fault.
On September 9, 2015 I purchased a used 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis ls. I was informed that the airbag light was on. I subsequently found that there had been some minor damage to the lower front of the vehicle, not resulting in airbag deployment. In researching the problem and to determine if there had been an airbag recall by the NHTSA, I found that there had been 57 registered complaints on the repair pal website and that a complaint had also been filed with the NHTSA.for this problem and that the problem was a result of defective seat-belt assemblies. There should be a safety recall issued for this problem as it effects the proper functionality of the restraint system in the event of a collision.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and driving for 2 minutes, the air bags and seat belts warning lights would illuminate with an audible beep. The vehicle was taken to ron tirapelli Ford, inc. (4355 w jefferson st, shorewood, il 60404) and the contact was informed that the part to do the repair was not in stock, since there was no recall associated with the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
Air bag symbo appears on dash - loud buzzing sound - when driving - nalley Ford ,sandy springs,atlanta, ga. Reported point test found both pretensloer faulty seat belts drive front and passenger front
Driver and Passenger side seat belt pretensioners failed and have resulted in airbags being inoperable.
While driving the repeated chiming sound began and a light illuminated on the dash display. This continued as long as the car was being driven. I drove it to a private repair shop that maintains my vehicles. He diagnosed it as the failure of the seat belt pre-tensioner assembly. He called the service manage of one of the local Ford motor service managers, described the problem and the sm agreed that it was the problem. He did the repairs.. Cost to me was $539.42.. The repair was done 2/20/2014. In July 2014 the same chiming/light flashing again occurred. Took it back to my repair shop, he again called his friend, the service manager of the same Ford dealership who said this problem had occurred before on other mercurys. This was not the same seat that was repaired the first time. I again paid $539.82. …
Paint started to peel in the front center of the roof, a small spot. I thought a stone or rock hit it. Then around the sides of the back windshield. This spring the hood started to peel also. First in one spot then in multiple spots. It starts by a bubble, then it pops and peels off in chips, which stick to the windshield at times. Then it starts to peel off in big pieces. At all times it peels down to the bare metal. It definitely appears that the affected areas(parts) are not primed. When driving you can see the paint start to lift off and let go. This problem seems it will not stop until the whole hood and roof are bare. Seat belt light does not go off when buckled. You can attempt to buckle and unbuckle multiple times it works and does not work. Some days there is no problem and other days it is an issue.
Started car to go to work idling in drive way and I got an air bag light and alarm going off, turned car off and restarted and same thing. Was scared to drive until I talked to mechanic at local dealership. He said the problem is in the seat belt assembly and would have to be replaced.parts about 260 dollars plus labor probably another 200 dollars. Researching air bag light issues for Grand Marquis for fixes for my problem I discovered there are several other owners of same model with same issue. Was wondering if others has reported and if so why has there not been a recall. I love my car otherwise and poor single father raising my children on my own and cannot afford these repairs plus driving a car that the air bags possible wont work on lord forbid we were in an accident.
Seat Belt complaints in other Grand Marquis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seat belts of the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis, 15% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is front › buckle assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis, though it has 2 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 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to seat belts 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.