1997 Mercury Grand Marquis

Defect. Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Risk. If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

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.

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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

PUT CAR IN PARK, AND IT SHOWED TO BE IN PARK. BUT, IT WAS IN REVERSE, GOING BACKWARD, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ABS LIGHT ON STEERING AND SUSPENSION CROSS SIT

I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND I SERVICE MANY VEHICLES DAILY. I CURRENTLY OWN A 97 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS AND HAVE NOTICED THAT PRACTICALLY MOST STEERING COMPONENTS ON MY VEHICLE ARE IN NEED OF REPLACING. SPECIFICALLY THE TIE ROD ENDS, CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINS ALL HAVE BLOWN BUSHINGS AND A PITMAN ARM.... THE STEERING SWAYS SO HARD ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT CUSTOMER'S VEHICLES THAT I HAVE WORKED ON THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE CROWN VIC, AND THE MARQUIS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF STEERING COMPONENT CONCERN AS WELL. I SEE MORE FORDS WITH STEERING ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I SERVICE. THE VEHICLES ALSO SEEM TO HAVE ISSUES WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK THAT THE BODY WILL SCRAPE THE TIRES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO RIG MY VENT DOOR ACTUATOR AND I HAVE HAD TO INSTALL A SHUT OFF SWITCH DUE TO A PARASITIC DRAW THAT I CAN NOT LOCATE EVEN WITH A VOLT METER. AFTER RESEARCHING ON FORUMS AND WATCHING COUNTLESS YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF OWNERS STATING THESE KNOWN ISSUES I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BEYOND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THESE PARTS ALL TO BE FAULTY FROM THIS CAR MANUFACTURER.

RECALL WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS VERY LOOSE AS IF ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF

I HAVE TO PUT IT ON NEUTRAL MOST OF THE TIME WITH EMG BRAKE ON. BECAUSE THE GEARSHIFT IS HARD TO PUT IN PARK. MY CAR ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES.

RUSTY BRAKE LINE FAILED. LEAKED BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING. ALL BRAKE LINES LOOK RUSTY. WHAT HAPPENED TO STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES?

I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 BRAND NEW BRIDGESTONE TURANZA SERENITY PLUS 225/60R16 TIRES ON APRIL 26, 2015, AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED ON MY WIFE'S CAR. MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE DRIVING TO PHOENIX ON I-10 ON A CLEAR AND SUNNY DAY ON MAY 9, 2015 TO VISIT A FRIEND. SHE SAID SHE WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 75 MPH AND WANTED TO PASS A SEMI-TRUCK ON HER RIGHT SO SHE SPEED UP TO PASS THE SEMI-TRUCK. SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND SHE HELD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS SHE CAN. THEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT BEGAN TO SWERVE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SEMI-TRUCK. THE CAR STRUCK THE SIDE OF THE SEMI-TRUCK AND THE WINDOW GLASS ON THE FRONT AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHATTERED AND ALSO THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED BECAUSE THE ROOF OF THE CAR WAS BENT. AFTER THE IMPACT, MY WIFE'S CAR THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND WENT INTO A DITCH FILLED WITH WEEDS AND BUSHES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THE CAR DID NOT FLIP AND EVERYONE IN THE CAR WAS OK BECAUSE THEY ALL WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. THEY WERE SHAKEN UP A BIT BUT THE ORDEAL WAS TRAUMATIZING. THEY WERE ALSO LUCKY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OR BEHIND THEM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE, FIRE TRUCK, AND AMBULANCE CAME AND EXAMINED EVERYTHING. THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. FOR INSURANCE SAKE, THE POLICE SAID MY WIFE WAS AT FAULT BECAUSE SHE WAS SPEEDING WHILE TRYING TO PASS THE SEMI-TRUCK AND LOST CONTROL. I BELIEVE

COOLANT LEAK FROM CRACK IN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 97,130 MILES ON IT AND WELL CARED FOR. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USING PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION - IT SHOULD BE IRON OR ALUMINUM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WAS TOLD WITH THE 4.6 V8 ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AND REPLACE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. I WILL BE WRITING A LETTER TO FORD IF THE DEALER DOESN'T COVER THIS AS A RECALL. RIDICULOUS TO USE PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

TWICE THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF I COULDN'T CONTROL THE WHEEL I HAD TO HURRY AND PUT IT ON NATURAL AND START THE CAR AGAIN, AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE IT REALLY SCARED ME I WAS ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY OR CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD IN VEHICLE. *SMD

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON INTERSTATE 35 NORTH OF MINNEAPOLIS, MN, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND LOST ANTI FREEZE. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT FOREST LAKE, MN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO TIRES PLUS IN FOREST LAKE TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. TOTAL COST FOR TOWING, INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT AND NIGHTS LODGING CAME TO ALMOST $1500.00. *TR

MOVING SLOWLY IN PARKING LOT. SHARP NOISE UNDER CAR, GAS TANK HAD FALLEN DIRECTLY ONTO ROAD AND WAS BEING DRAGGED. BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS HAD BROKEN

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER I HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN RIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND I HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. I STOPPED AT MY DESTINATION A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. IT ONLY LASTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, BUT BURNED UP AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT REPAIRED ACROSS THE STREET AT AN AUTO ELECTRICAL AND MARINE SHOP. THEY SAID IT WAS AT THE SWITCH OR VALVE THAT TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. MY CAR IS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED AND HELD DOWN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IF HE PRESSED GENTLY ON IT AND RELEASED IT, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM OR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

PURCHASED AN AFTER MARKET INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FROM AN EBAY VENDOR: INSIDE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FOR A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GS. THE RETURN SPRING ON THE ORIGINAL OEM HANDLE BROKE, BUT THE ORIGINAL HANDLE EVEN THOUGH BROKEN, STILL REMAINED OPERATIONAL. I ORDERED AND INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT AFTERMARKET DOOR HANDLE "DEPO" 330-500006-002 PURCHASED FROM AN EBAY VENDOR. 10 DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION, THE REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE FAILED AND THE DRIVERS DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MAKING THIS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD HAD THERE BEEN AN EMERGENCY. OBVIOUSLY THE AFTER MARKET PART WAS NOT PROPERLY TESTED BEFORE SALE TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SERVICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT STATING THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED DUE TO THE STRUCTURE. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47025 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47050. UPDATED 11/24/10

1997 FORD GRAND MARQUIS - OCCASIONAL INTERRUPTIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER WERE OCCURRING WITH THE RADIO GOING OFF, THE LOW FUEL LEVEL LIGHT GOING ON, AND THE BATTERY METER DROPPING. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY THE INTERRUPTIONS CONTINUED UNTIL FINALLY THE BATTERY CABLES CAUGHT ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND BY THIS TIME THE INSULATION ON BOTH THE POSITIVE AND GROUND CABLES HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OFF AND THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO SUPPLY CURRENT. I KNOCKED OFF THE GROUND TERMINAL AND DOSED THE FIRE WITH WATER. *TR

THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN SUSPENSION COLLAPSE. THIS BREAKAGE RESULTED IN A IRREFUTABLE TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE WAS NOT A CRASH BECAUSE LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED IN A STREET WHILE THERE WERE NOT OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I WAS IN THE EXPRESSWAY I AM TOTALLY SURE IT HAD RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC MULTI CAR ACCIDENT. CAR IS IN A REPAIR SHOP. *TR