Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 11% | 55,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% | 71,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 12% | 35,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 5% | 98,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% | 96,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% | 88,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% | 77,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% | 88,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% | 94,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% | 78,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 1997 | 32 | 10% | 199,000 miles |
| 1996 | 21 | 9% | — |
| 1995 | 8 | 4% | 77,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I noticed something hanging down from the bottom of the vehicle and on inspection determined it to be a fuel tank support strap. I took the vehicle to my mechanic for further inspection and when he put the vehicle on a lift one of the two support straps had corroded completely in two and the other strap was ly corroded nearly as bad. If the second strap had also broken and allowed the fuel tank to drop and drag on the pavement there could have been a severe fire. I had my mechanic replace both straps immediately today 11-2-16.
I was driving at 45 MPH and applied the brake to stop. The engine revved to 2,000 RPM. I was able to stop with very hard braking using both feet. The engine continue revving at 2,000 RPM even after the car had stopped. I placed the transmission in neutral and the engine revved even faster. The engine did not slow down until I turned off the ignition. After leaving the engine off for around two minutes, I restarted the engine and it resumed running at around 500 RPM. My 23 year old son was seated next to me and verified that nothing was touching the accelerator while the engine was revving at 2,000 RPM and that both of my feet were on the brake. The engine has revved when I applied the brake at least seven other times; however, the revving stopped after one or two seconds. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle, he heard an abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel tank detached and was hanging down underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, there was no assistance provided. The failure mileage was 63,824.
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. …
Smelled gas when exiting the vehicle. Confirmed a fuel leak in the fuel tank by observing a fuel drip. Continued driving the car for a few days. On June 15, 2020, I noticed a strange noise as I drove, something rubbing or bumping on the frame under the car. While driving, the noise increased and intensified. I was forced to pull over and check under the car. To my horror I saw the gas tank dragging on the road. A tow truck would not tow the vehicle. My brother and I tied the tank up under the car using a nylon strap to get the car home. I called the dealership to fix the car. I now have an aftermarket tank on my car. Ford does not make the tank anymore.the car was in motion on a city street when the tank fell. I believe the problem was caused by a fuel tank strap failure. The fuel leak was also directly related to the strap supporting the tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the fuel tank fractured and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank straps failed due to excessive corrosion, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
While entering onto the woodrow wilson bridge from I-295s on 2/1/2018, I pulled into the center lane and backed off the gas pedal, but the car continued to accelerate on its own. Luckily the traffic was light, after hitting the brake and the off button for the cruise control, to no effect, I was able to pull into the right lane and turn the car off. While still in motion, I turned the key back on and everything was normal again. Since it wasn't a cruise control issue, it would appear it is similar to the Toyota problem with the drive by wire issue.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the passenger side fuel tank was close to the ground. Upon inspection, it was evident that the passenger side fuel tank strap fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
The seal material between the fuel filler pipe and fuel tank May not have been fully cured during the molding process which could allow for fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filler pipe-to-fuel tank seal with a new seal of different material.
NHTSA investigations
Post rear end collision fires
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Grand Marquis years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (32), 1996 (21), 2006 (13), 2003 (10) and 1995 (8) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Mercury Grand Marquis fuel system problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 95V-063 (filler pipe and cap, Mar 27, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Grand Marquis fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the carburetor system (44 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (11).
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.