1987 Mercury Grand Marquis

▲ Better than typical
1987 Mercury Grand Marquis
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:54:56.618Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Grand Marquis Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1987 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 47 complaints 1987 1988: 73 complaints 1989: 58 complaints 1989 1990: 58 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1992: 260 complaints 1993: 147 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1996: 239 complaints 1997: 316 complaints 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011
1987: 47 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19823
19837
198415
198521
198621
198747
198873
198958
199058
199182
1992260
1993147
1994161
1995179
1996239
1997316
1998143
1999164
2000162
2001157
200278
2003362
2004347
2005487
2006143
200796
200878
200926
201024
20119

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45%

45% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INGNITON SWITCH, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960221

THE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951211

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 19%

19% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cables.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THERMOSTAT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19940306

SEAT BELTS 15%

15% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKEL. A SPRING ON THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER LATCHES CORRECTLY. THE BUCKEL WILL HOLD IF IT IS SHAKEN BUT RELEASES EASILY. THIS IS THE SECOND 1987 GRAND MARQUIS THAT I HAVE OWENED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050521

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030312

WHEELS 4%

4% of complaints: wheels — 2 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870318 — steering

STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.

Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.

Campaign 87V012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19870808 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 87V131000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19870909 — PE (closed 19880310)

FIRES

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880330 — seat belts

AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.

Remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.

Campaign 88V028000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910911 — PE (closed 19920115)

BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES

R 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1987 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V012000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V131000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V028000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1989 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2003 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.