MYRModel Year Report

1987 Mercury Grand Marquis

▲ Better than typical
1987 Mercury Grand Marquis
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:52:26.590Z

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
47
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1987

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 47 complaints 1987 47 1988: 73 complaints 1989: 58 complaints 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: 80 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 25 complaints 2011: 9 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 15 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 47 complaints 1987 47 1988: 73 complaints 1989: 58 complaints 1989 1990: 58 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1991 1992: 260 complaints 1993: 147 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1995 1996: 239 complaints 1997: 316 complaints 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 1999 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2003 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 80 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 25 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 15 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 47 complaints 1987 47 1988: 73 complaints 1989: 58 complaints 1989 1990: 58 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1991 1992: 260 complaints 1993: 147 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1995 1996: 239 complaints 1997: 316 complaints 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 1999 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2003 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 80 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 25 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
200880
200926
201025
20119

Known problem areas

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

Electrical system

45% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing switch and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical short in the ingniton switch, caused the vehicle to catch fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-02-21

The wiring harness caught fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-12-11

Vehicle speed control

19% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing cables.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Thermostat failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-03-06

Seat belts

15% · 7 reports

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, 2005-05-21

The seat belt buckle was defective and did not work properly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-12

Wheels

4% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-03-18Steering87V012000 Steering centerlinks may break at a bend location.

    Remedy: Replace steering centerlink.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1987-08-08Fuel system, gasoline87V131000 Fuel rails may be bent so that No. 5 injector cups are out of design position.

    Remedy: Replace fuel rail assemblies as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1987-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-03-10 Fires
  4. R
    1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1988-03-30Seat belts88V028000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-09-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-15 Brake line punctures
  7. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1987 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V012000 · Steering
  • Recall 87V131000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 88V028000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.