MYRModel Year Report

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-09-02

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. 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 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1996: 239 complaints 1996 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
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
200878
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%

36% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 86 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE INJURY
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, 20040219

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

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

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing carburetor system and filler pipe and cap.

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file, 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, 20230222

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and linkages.

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

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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 (86 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (21 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, 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.