Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 8% | 27,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 11% | 53,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 7% | 99,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 3% | 39,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 4% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 14% | 73,000 miles |
| 2001 | 29 | 18% | 100,000 miles |
| 2000 | 25 | 15% | 87,000 miles |
| 1999 | 33 | 20% | 103,000 miles |
| 1998 | 29 | 20% | 102,000 miles |
| 1997 | 126 | 40% | 81,000 miles |
| 1996 | 86 | 36% | 85,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% | 83,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle recently experienced two sudden acceleration events in two days 15 miles apart while decelerating and using the brake in what could only be related to an intermittent failure of the electronic throttle control. While on vacation during a 75 deg evening with the car at operating temperature I was navigating some s turns high on a bluff at 30mph. While coming into a corner with my foot on the brake and slowing to around 20mph the car suddenly accelerated. I hit the brakes hard, turned away from the corner to avoid going over the cliff and turned off the key. All this happened in less then 5 seconds. The next day mid afternoon after driving 20 miles I was leaving a park and traveling on a level straight road at around 25mph. Coming up to a stop sign I let off the gas and started applying the brake (like the day before) at about 15mph the car violently accelerated. …
On October 27, 2010, my wife was driving with me in the car and she started to brake for a red light. She was going about 30 miles per hour. As soon as she applied the brake, the engine accelerated and she had to use a large amount of braking pressure to stop the car. As soon as the car stopped, she took her foot off the brake and the engine returned to idle. Yesterday, I was driving the car at approximately 55 mile per hour and started to move into the passing lane when the traffic light ahead turned red. I applied the brake and the same thing happened. I had to apply a large amount of pressure on the brake peddle in order to stop the car while the engine raced on. As soon as the car stopped, the engine returned to idle and the problem was over. Yesterday, I took the car to the dealership where it was purchased and they kept the car overnight to run various tests. They found nothing. …
The contact owns a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the RPM's revved up and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the RPM's decreased. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
I was driving the vehicle. As I started up a hill the speed limit changed. I gave the gas pedal a little push. It went to the floor where it stuck wide open. The car leaped forward and I immediately applied the brake. I really had to push the brake as hard as I could to get the vehicle to stop. When I got the vehicle to stop I knocked the gear shift out of drive into neutral. The engine was idling really rough but then it smoothed out. I did not crash the car and continued driving with no further problems. The vehicle has 64,875 miles on it and this is the first this has happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, a burning odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Ma 09/03/15 the consumer stated the cruise control failed to operate. Updated 12/9/2015
With only 30,000 miles, the fuel rail assembly corroded through, created a pin hole and sprayed fuel against the hood assembly and over the entire top of the engine. This occurred only 2 days after the vehicle had been repaired by Ford for the safety steering recall. The vehicle was repaired and mechanic mentioned that he has never seen this before and this assembly should not have corroded.
On [redacted] I was driving this recently purchased Grand marquis . On [redacted] here in San Antonio around ten at night I hit the brakes and something under the hood compartment blew up and it cocked the car . I was trapped inside and when I finally was able to get my seatbelt released I had to break the window with my head . The previous week I reached out to ford and they told me they would address the issue and that they would call me back and that was to no avail. i reached out to ford and at first I was told I would be helped and then a man came on the phone yelling that my vehicle . I need help with resol this issue . My car is totaled and I'm hurting and it's because of a car with recalls that are a fire haz and dangerous to be put on the road Thank you and God Bless . …
When i hit the brake pedal,4 times in past month car accelerated briefly then quit. no warning signs no one can tell me what's wrong i read there was a class action lawsuit file years ago for this problem.
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…
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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…
Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Grand Marquis years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (126), 1996 (86), 1999 (33), 1998 (29) and 2001 (29) model years. Engine complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Mercury Grand Marquis engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Mercury Grand Marquis model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercury Grand Marquis engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (113 mentions), followed by the engine (80).
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.