1996 Mercury Marquis: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
31
owner complaints
1
fire reports
91,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Marquis years (#5 of 6 by complaints, age-adjusted)No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 91,000 mi)Weak spot: engine and engine cooling (35%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)35% · 11 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)13% · 4 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)10% · 3 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)6% · 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)6% · 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)6% · 2 complaints
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury marquis. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off several times. The intake gasket was replaced, but the vehicle continued to overheat. The contact received a recall letter (05s28) in august of 2007 regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they disconnected the speed control switch and stated that the other failures were unrelated. The cost for a diagnostic would be $900. The current and failures mileages were unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2007
“During a 15 mph vehicle collision driver's seat belt did not restrain the driver. Consumer's head hit the steering wheel. Vehicle was towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2004
“The plastic manifold cracked, causing antifreeze to leak. Dealer replaced the plastic manifold with an aluminum manifold. *ak *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“The intake manifold cracked and leaked antifreeze which caused the vehicle to over heat. The dealer stated a recall had been issued but only for police vehicles. *jb ph *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003
“The plastic intake manifold gasket cracked, which caused the vehicle to overheat and the engine to shut off. *jb...this manifold was a known problem.owner notification on some models 97m91.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2003
“We own a 1996 mercury grand marquis that the intake manifold failed on 2/28/02 with 70,089 miles on it and the "96 crown victoria and "97 mercury cougar have been recalled for the same problem of a failure of the "composite" one and ours was not. We ended up being towed 130 miles. Ts”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002
“Driving approximately 65 mph right rear tire blewout for belt had snapped, tread seperated from the tire. Firestone, fr480, p215/70, r15 dot#vm31lt. Tire was purchased with vehicle. Previously rear left tire also blewout which was reported, and was one of original tires purchased with vehicle. Mercury, grand marquis, 1996. *ak *slc”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2001
“While driving under stormy conditions, consumer attempted to roll down window on passenger's side, and window would not go down. Second time, driver's side window was stuck in the up position. Cause unknown. *ak the repair provider stated that the original material causing the failure was of inferior quality. *jg”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2000
“While driving throttle cable would cause vehicle to lose acceleration to the pedal consumer would have to go under the hood and pull on the cable to restore acelleration. Vehicle been to dealer on two occasionsdd, cable was rerouted and adjusted, and problem still goes unresolved. Can NHTSA help in this matter. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 1999
“On-going / intermittent problem with driver 's side power window failing to operate, causing poor visibility when unable to close or unable to secure vehicle. Dealer notified. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1996 Mercury Marquis reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Mercury Marquis. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Marquis problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.