Most common 2003 Mercury Marauder problems
Share of the 60 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercury Marauder complaints by model year
What 2003 Mercury Marauder owners say
Lights
I'm having issues with the headlights. When you try to use the bright lights the headlights go out. It seems my issue would fit under the lcm recall for 2003-2005 Mercury grand marquis. When you enter the VIN it shows no recalls. I'm hoping this is an oversight since the Marauder is a version of grand marquis.
I was entering onto a parkway at 05:30 hours, day-break, when my headlights shut off. I turned the on/off switch, flicked the hi-beams, no lights. I pulled the driving lamps switch, they came on. I drove for about 10 seconds and the headlights came on. I have not driven this vehicle at night since this event. I took my car to a local service center and we experimented with the head lights. Car running, drivers window down...turned head lights on, parking lights came on but head lights did not come on. Turned on left turn signal and head lights came on. Jiggled multi function switch and head lights flickered as did left turn lamp. Ordered new multi function switch will have it installed 13 May, 2013. Concern: I searched the internet for similar problems and no one else mentioned the multi function switch, they all referred to the lighting control module. …
Transmission & drivetrain
On my 2003 vehicle, there was apparenetly a spare axle pin contained in the rear differential from the factory. While I was driving in town, this pin was thrust against the pumpkin (differential cover), punctured the rear differential cover and caused the differential to leak fluid. The dealership found the "spare pin" when they repaired the differential cover. Had I been on the interstate, and had the pin become suddently caught in the ring (instead of thrown againsted the cover), this condiciton could have caused the vehicle to suddenly lock up (the rear differntial). This could have easily caused the vehicle to roll over. I am a police officer in the navy and am very concerned about this issue.
NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000 is listed for the 2003 Ford crown vic's and Lincoln's but not the Mercury's??? I have an 03 Mercury Marauder that has the same rearend as the others list in this recall but my car is not listed. I just had the same exact problem that is listed in the campaign and had to spend $1100 to have my axles, bearings, carrier and what ever else is included in the rebuild. Is there a reason that Ford does not consider this the same car which they are!!!!!!!
Suspension
My 2003 Mercury Marauder suffered premature wear on the inner edges of the front wheels. It was found to be within specification for the camber alignment while this wear is indicative of a camber issue. I replaced the front tires and had an alignment. 12,000 miles later the new set of tires is exhibiting excessive wear on the front inner edges. Doing further research, I have found this is a problem caused by the loose tolerance of Mercury's alignment specification. Many other Marauder owners are experiencing the exact same problem. The poses a significant blowout problem and needs to addressed by the manufacturer.
This vehicle purchased in June 2003 has had 6 alignments (the first at about 500 miles) and the steering rack replaced all before 3100 miles because of a constant pull to the right. The dealer has informed me that I am no longer entitled to a "courtesy" alignment. Rf toe in has drifted .8 degrees in 1 week's time and lf camber 1.3 in same time. Will be entering lemon law proceedings. Additionally the fit and finish has left much to be desired, have had rear "package" carrier, fr head light, window moldings, airbag covers and other trim items replaced.
2003 Mercury Marauder engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Mercury Marauder a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Marauder to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mercury Marauder?
The lights — 16 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (11) and suspension (10).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Marauder have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Mercury Marauder. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2003 Mercury Marauder problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 54% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.