1990 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 1990
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Engine occasionally surges when placed into reverse. The engine immediately races and the car even convulses. The only thing that stops it is to turn off the engine. This is my mom's car and she rarely drives it.”Owner report · Engine · May 2013
“Goodyear integrity p215/75r15. Sidewall blowout at highway speed (45-55 mph.) tires were installed on 08/27/2001, and had 36,000 miles at time of failure. Tires were well maintained, had no prior damage, and tire showed no signs of problems prior to failure. Failure was spontaneous and catastrophic. T is ironic that a tire with the brand name of "integrity" should spontaneously disintegrate.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2004
“The 'air bag' light on my dash is lighting up. It doesn't stay on constantly, but it does flash, which concerns me. It doesn't go on every time my car is on, but it does flash about 95% of the time. I saw the recall and want to know if my vehicle was involved and if it was fixed.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a concern about the air bag in my car, which is a 1990 mercury grand marquis. The "air bag" light comes on. It doesn't stay on constantly, but it does 'flicker' or it will stay on for a few seconds. There are times where it doesn't come on at all, but I am still concerned. I was wondering, since there was a recall on the part of the airbag, if I should have it looked at. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2004
“While driving automatic transmission doesn't shift properly from the first gear, wont shift. Dealer notified. Vehicle was taken to independent shop and overhauled. Transmission at cost over $1000.00 *ak *cb”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2003
“While driving at normal speed accelerator pedal went to the floor, and vehicle lost all power to go forward. Dealer notified. Consumer stated this vehicle was no longer under warranty. Transmission cost over $1000.00. *ak *cb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2003
“Problems with transmission malfunctioning.*mr when the vehicles accelerator pedal was pressed it became stuck to the floor of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who indicated that the insulator cap fell off. The technician said this was a common problem with these vehicle. *nlm”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2003
“The vehicle leaked brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to a service technician who stated the brake line rusted. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2003
“I was proceeding home in evening rush hour traffic when the car engine quit instantaneously. I was forced to stop in the right lane of traffic. Although in the right lane I could not pull off of the road because there was a barrier with no shoulder for me to pull onto. Fortunately I was not hit by another car although I was sitting where traffic had to stop abruptly and swerve to avoid hitting me. The car was sitting in traffic until a tow truck arrived approximately one hour later. The vehicle traffic where I was stalled routinely moves at over 50 miles per hour which luckily for me did not result in a major accident. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2001
“Vehicle was driven approximately one mile and parked. Upon exiting the vehicle, the operator noticed smoke coming from under the hood. After opening the hood, the operator identified the source of the smoke as the alternator. Operator continued to observe the vehicle and noted that the volume of smoke was increasing. After approximately two minutes, the alternator burst into flames. Arcing was seen and heard within the alternator. The alternator had been previously replaced by fette ford in wayne, nj in sept 1999 and, upon subsequent failure, again in approximately jan 2000. Fette ford stated that rebuilt ford alternators were used in both cases. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Marquis by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis. The most complained-about area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.