MYRModel Year Report

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Grand Marquis Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 21 complaints 1987: 43 complaints 1988: 73 complaints 1988 1989: 58 complaints 1990: 56 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1992: 255 complaints 1992 1993: 144 complaints 1994: 156 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1996: 239 complaints 1996 1997: 316 complaints 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 2000: 162 complaints 2000 2001: 157 complaints 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2004 2005: 487 complaints 2006: 142 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2008 2009: 26 complaints 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011
1996: 239 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19823
19837
198415
198521
198621
198743
198873
198958
199056
199182
1992255
1993144
1994156
1995179
1996239
1997316
1998143
1999164
2000162
2001157
200278
2003362
2004347
2005487
2006142
200796
200878
200926
201024
20119

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 35 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20030625

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 16 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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 . *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120510

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20140909

GEAR INDICATOR WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS, BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD NOT OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A HOUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961223

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1996 — complaint volume: 239
R 19960515 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Campaign 96V070000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980728 — DP (closed 19980928)

IMPROPER HEIGHT FOR HEAD RESTRAINTS

R 20000928 — seat belts

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 A

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.

Campaign 00V157002 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000928 — seat belts

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 FA

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.

Campaign 00V157001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20011127 — SQ (closed 20021003)

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

I 20020822 — DP (closed 20021204)

FUEL-FED FIRES

I 20020906 — EA (closed 20040630)

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES

I 20030103 — RQ (closed 20030603)

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

I 20030311 — RQ (closed 20030725)

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

I 20030725 — EA (closed 20050411)

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

R 20070813 — vehicle speed control

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, S

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

Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080218 — vehicle speed control

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 MERCUR

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.

Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151028 — steering

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.

Campaign 15E082000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V070000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V157002 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V157001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15E082000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1989

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2003 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

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:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.