MYRModel Year Report

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
239
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 47 complaints 1988: 73 complaints 1989: 58 complaints 1989 1990: 58 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1992: 260 complaints 1993: 147 complaints 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1996: 239 complaints 1996 239 1997: 316 complaints 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: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 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 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 1996: 239 complaints 1996 239 1997: 316 complaints 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: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 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 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 1996: 239 complaints 1996 239 1997: 316 complaints 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: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011

1996: 239 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
200879
200926
201024
20119

Known problem areas

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

Engine and engine cooling

36% · 86 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

September of 2003 the intake manifold blew in my car on my way to my dads funeral and I contacted the Ford company about it and they said it was going to cost me 690.00 to get it fixed and I said that wasnt right.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-19

While driving manifold cracked, causing a fire in the fuel tank. Dealer notified. *ak while driving the manifold cracked which caused antifreeze to leak from the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-25

A crack in my exhaust manifold behind the alternator causing coolant to spray all over under my hood and now my engine overheats..thanks for using plastic parts Ford .

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-10

Service brakes

10% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

9% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing carburetor system and filler pipe and cap.

Steering

9% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and tie rod assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-02-22

Also filed under Electrical system and exterior lighting

Vehicle speed control

8% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and linkages.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On 9/17/2003 @ 11:23 pm, my 1996 Grand Marquis caught fire under the hood and was totally destroyed while sitting idle in front of my house. The henrico county fire department was called.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-09

Gear indicator was in the reverse position vehicle surged backwards, braking system would not override the acceleration, causing the vehicle to hit a house.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-23

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 239 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-05-15Latches/locks/linkages96V070000 When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches may open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in FMVSS No. 206, "Door locks and door retention components."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1998-07-28Defect petitionClosed 1998-09-28 Improper height for head restraints
  4. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157002 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157001 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  7. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  8. I
    2002-09-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-06-30 Speed control deactivation switch fires
  9. I
    2003-01-03Recall queryClosed 2003-06-03 Ball joint separation
  10. I
    2003-03-11Recall queryClosed 2003-07-25 Rear brake line failure
  11. I
    2003-07-25Engineering analysisClosed 2005-04-11 Rear brake line failure
  12. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2015-10-28Steering15E082000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 86 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V070000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 00V157002 · Seat belts
  • Recall 00V157001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 15E082000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.