1998 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 143 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
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 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while examining his vehicle at his residence, he noticed the front ball joints were defective. The vehicle taken to expressway ford of mount vernon (3800 highway 62 e, mount vernon, in 47620) on may 30 2020, where the vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the shocks needed to be replaced. The front shocks were replaced however, several months later the driver's side shock was leaking fluid. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,400.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. While driving various speeds, the headlights and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis equipped with firestone fr380 tires, size: p225/60r16. The contact stated that the tires had premature blisters and tread deterioration. The tire repair facility (firestone complete auto care, 4401 n first ave, evansville, in 47710, (812) 618-3542) diagnosed that the tires needed to be replaced. The tire manufacturer indicated that a similar tire model had been recalled, but not this particular model. The manufacturer recommended that the tires be inspected by an authorized firestone complete auto care facility. The tire and vehicle failure mileage and VIN were not available.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that the interior and exterior lighting operated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,784.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. While driving various speeds, the engine misfired and hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the plastic intake manifold was cracked, which caused anti freeze to leak out and damage the engine coils. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2015
“Low/high beam lights inoperative in park or drive, bulbs & wiring checks good, 25 amp fuse was blown, but replaced fuse caused no change.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2015
“Vehicle started to buck and when I pulled my vehicle over I lifted the hood. I found anti-freeze flowing on the top of my engine. I had it towed to my local garage & they told me that the intake manifold is cracked. I did some research and found out there's a recall on this part. When I called my local ford dealer, they told me there is a recall on this part, but it's only for police and fleet vehicles only. Now that this was said to me, I was told by my garage it would cost me $1000 to fix. Something I don't have. Ford was not very cooperative about my situation and I'm very disappointed. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2013
“During normal driving noticed a squeaking and groaning noise coming from front end of car. Steering has become loose and was told by a mechanic that the ball joints,shocks,bushings are dry and that the vehicle cannot be lubricated because it is sealed. Seen other complaints on website regarding these same issues. I have been warned that the tires could fall off at high speeds causing serious injury or death. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle abnormally accelerated while attempting to park with the brakes depressed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 01/13/12*lj updated 01/19/12”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
NHTSA has 143 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,700 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have open recalls?
7 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.