1993 Mercury Grand Marquis

Routine

Owners filed 144 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission16
100
Vehicle Speed Control11
141
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor6
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
010
Seats5
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter5
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch5
020
Electrical System5
030

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Electrical System99V124000
Filed May 19, 1999262,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Risk. A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 1, 202260,000 milesNY

Driving on the NYS Thruway with Cruise Control on and it dropped out. I tried to reengage several times and it would not engage. On the way home I tried it again it kicked on and kicked off right away and since this incident I've had no cruise control. I researched recalls and see there are 3 1999 Recall 99V124000, Electrical System. 2007 Recall07V336000 Vehicle Speed Control. 2008 Recall 08V051000 Speed Control Recall. I spoke with Ford and they suggested I spoke with the Ford they said to contact NHTSA. My car has less than 60,000 miles and has been well maintained so this is concerning me. The car is from Florida. Checked the fuse they are fine.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 9, 202090,000 milesAL

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION EXISTS WHEREAS THE HEADLIGHTS CAN RANDOMLY FLICKER OFF DURING DRIVING, ONLY STOPPED BY KICKING THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPEATEDLY WITH LIMITED AND TEMPORARY RESULTS. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DURING THE NIGHT WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC. MULTIPLE OTHER TERRIFYING OCCURRENCES AS WELL.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 17, 2010218,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED AND REPLACED THE HARNESS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 10, 2009100,000 milesSC

1993 GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY, TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 2, 200963 milesNJ

BRAKES FAILED, BRAKES LIGHT WENT ON PULLED OVER CHECKED THE FLUID IT WAS EMPTY I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO MY SERVICE STATION . BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED , IN ORDER TO FIX THE BRAKE LINES THEY WOULD HAD TO TAKE THE BODY OF THE CAR OFF THE CHASSIE TO FIX THEM TWO EXPENSIVE THAT WAY . HAD THEM CUT THE LINES THAT WERE BAD AND REROUTE THE LINES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME . A YR LATER SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAD 63,000 MILES ON IT . THIS TIME THE CAR HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT .CAR IS NOW AT THE SHOP TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AGAIN . THE CAR IS A 1993 GRAND MARQUIS WITH ABOUT 73,000 MILES ON IT THE CAR WAS BROUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALER AND WAS KEPT IN EXCELLENT RUNNING CONDITION ALL THESE YRS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 25, 200930,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LEAKS OIL FROM THE OIL PAN. ROUTINELY, HE MUST HAVE THE OIL PAN TEMPORARILY PATCHED TO PREVENT A TOTAL LOSS OF OIL. HE CALLED VARIOUS DEALERS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WIDESPREAD AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST BETWEEN $685 TO $1,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,912.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 18, 2008WA

VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS GOING THROUGH RAILROAD TRACKS AND THEN 2 DAYS LATER IT CAN ONLY GO ON REVERSE AND NOT ABLE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE WITHOUT KICKING HARD AND THEN VERY SLOW MOTION. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 28, 2008130,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 92 CROWN VICTORIA AND A 93 GRAND MARQUIS ON THE HEADLAMP SWITCH THE HARNESS IS MELTED AND BURNED ON BOTH OF THEM IN THE SAME SPOT INVOLVING THE SAME WIRE. *TR

Seats
Filed Mar 28, 2008MI

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BEEN LOOSE FOR A WHILE. THE POWER CONTROLS TO ADJUST SEAT POSITION FAILED OVER A YEAR AGO. THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK MY HUSBAND EXPERIENCED THE FEELING OF THE SEAT DISCONNECTING. IT HAS DETACHED FROM THE TRACK. THE WELDING BECAME UNWELDED. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT HAS NOT BEEN LATCHING FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INCIDENT AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE SAME PROBLEMS AND YET FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS OF YET. WE ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIRS. IT IS OUR ONLY FAMILY VEHICLE. AND THEREFORE WE CANNOT GO ANYWHERE FOR FEAR OF SAFETY REASONS. HOWEVER MY HUSBAND MUST STILL DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire1 injured
Filed Feb 29, 2008175,000 milesFL

CRUISE CONTROL FIRE. NO WARNING. NO RECALL NOTICE. I PURCHASED THIS 1993 GRAND MARQUIS IN 1997 FROM AN AUTHORIZED LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN LONGWOOD FL. I FINANCED IT THROUGH FORD CREDIT. I LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSE FROM 1991 TO 2005. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM. CAR WAS DESTROYED. EXTENSIVE HOME DAMAGE. INJURY FROM SMOKE INHALATION. LOST FAMILY PET. EXTENSIVE BUSINESS LOSS. LIFE PERMANENTLY ALTERED. STILL SUFFERING FROM EFFECTS OF LOSS. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 28, 2007FL

MY 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT ON FIRE LAST NIGHT RIGHT AFTER I PICKED MY GIRLFRIEND UP AFTER WORK WE WENT INSIDE AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER WE HERD A NOISE, WE WENT OUTSIDE AND MY CAR WAS IN FLAMES! WHEN WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THEY TOLD US THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OUR CAR THEY SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CURSE CONTROL. SO THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THINKING THEY WOULD HELP ME WHICH THEY DIDN'T. IS THERE SOME WAY I CAN GET HELP WITH MY SITUATION? MY INSURANCE JUST GOT CANCELED I FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO HOPE FOR ME. I PRACTICALLY SPENT ALL OF MY SAVINGS ON THIS CAR I BOUGHT THIS CAR WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND WAS PREGNANT THINKING THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A RELIABLE CAR TO DEPEND ON. THIS CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION IT ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT THIS WAS ONE OF THE BIG SHOCKS OF MY LIFE WHEN I SAW MY CAR ON FIRE ALL I COULD DO IS CRY I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IM GOING TO DO I HAVE A FAMILY TO TAKE CARE OF AND PROVIDE FOR IM ONLY 21YRS OLD HOW AM I EXPECTED TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY WHEN I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION TO GO TO WORK!?!?!?!ALL THAT KEEPS RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND IS WHAT IF MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN THE CAR WHILE THIS OCCURRED.? *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 15, 2007PR

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE A 1993 FORD MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS IN MY GARAGE AT HOME MY SON'S BEDROOM BURNED ALSO THE CAR AND MY SON'S BELONGINGS BED,CLOTHES AND FURNITURE WERE LOST. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST THE FRONT END ACTUAL MELTED COMPLETELY. *JB

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 12, 200765,000 milesFL

TL*- THE CONTACTS SON OWNS A 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 65,000. THE CONTACT WAS INSIDE HER HOME WHEN SHE HEARD A BOOM, AND SHE WENT OUTSIDE SAW THE VEHICLE IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A DAY AND A HALF. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE AND MADE A REPORT, AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHAL INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL -CAMPAIGN ID 99V124000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. UPDATED 06/06/07 *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 18, 2007NC

I SENT YOU (NHTSA) INFORMATION ON MY 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUE ON 17 JANUARY 2007 THAT IN 2001 THE FORD MOTOR CO. DID NOT REPAIR THE DEFECTED RECALL #99V124 ACTION #RQ01002 WHEN I REQUESTED IT, AND IN SEPTEMBER 2006 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE ATTORNEY GENERALS RESPONSE WAS NEGATIVE AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM YOU (NHTSA). CAN YOU HELP ME?

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Jan 22, 200778,000 milesFL

TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jan 18, 2007NC

1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN CAUSE FIRES**CC THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A THIRD PARTY. THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE AND CAME ACROSS A CONSUMER GUIDE REPORT WHICH STATED THAT 1992-1993 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES CAN DEVELOP A SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND AN IDENTICAL FORD RECALL (99S15, 99V-124000). THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. ON SEPT 2, 2006 THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED AROUND THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jan 5, 2007NC

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT FORD ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE 99V124000 ON THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH OF THE 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. HE CONTACTED FORD , AND THEY DENIED IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED AND THEY DENIED HIM. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. *AK UPDATED 1/18/2006 - *NM

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 17, 2006125,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 4 HOURS, A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Apr 20, 200670,000 milesCO

BROKEN TIE ROD END WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 16, 2005FL

FOR THE PAST YEAR WHILE DRIVING MY AUTOMOBILE I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES. I HAVE TRIED TURNING OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING IT DOESN'T HELP. EVEN FAMILY NOTICES THE STRONG SMELL. *NM

20 of 144 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20119220Routine
201024200Routine
200926210Routine
200878312Fatalities reported
200796300Routine
2006143320Routine
2005488550Above average
2004348241Fatalities reported
2003362220Above average
200278220Routine
2001157532Fatalities reported
2000162850Routine
1999164520Routine
1998143781Fatalities reported
1997316560Above average
19962396192Fatalities reported
1995179753Fatalities reported
19941563202Fatalities reported
1993 — this page1443180Routine
19922553271Fatalities reported
1991822140Routine
199056150Routine

Compare every Grand Marquis year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 4, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.