1997 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 316 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints); the 1995 and 1998 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 316 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2015
“Rusty brake line failed. Leaked brake fluid resulting in loss of braking. All brake lines look rusty. What happened to stainless steel brake lines?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2015
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2014
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“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”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2011
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2011
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2011
“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”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
NHTSA has 316 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,800 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. 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.