MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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, 1997 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 1997 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
1997: 316 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 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 55 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. PLASTIC MANIFOLD WAS CAUSING THE BURNING, AND DAMAGING WIRE AND ALTERNATOR. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020906

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 25 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD IN VEHICLE. *SMD

NHTSA ODI report, 20130326

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 316
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

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

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

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (55 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • 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 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

5 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.