MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

● Typical for this model
1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:58:36.002Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
143
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

19% 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 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 179 complaints 1996: 239 complaints 1997: 316 complaints 1998: 143 complaints 1998 143 1999: 164 complaints 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 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 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 1998: 143 complaints 1998 143 1999: 164 complaints 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 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 1998: 143 complaints 1998 143 1999: 164 complaints 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

1998: 143 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.

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the caller said her car burned up in 2000. Now she is finding out about the investigation into the cruise control fires. She believes that the car should be included.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-22

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

1) normal driving usage; 2) plastic intake manifold cracked, overheating car; 3) part will have to be replaced $590 from Ford motor company.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-12

Engine fire. Qcaw

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-05

Steering

12% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Autozone- valucraft brand- ball joints part number VFA2101 I recently had my ball joints replaced and I had a premature failure of the ball joint fastening hardware while driving down the city road in a straight line at 45 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-28

Also filed under Suspension

Exterior lighting

11% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving various speeds, the headlights and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred periodically.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-23

Also filed under Electrical system

Suspension

11% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving or backing at slow speeds this vehicle(Which has very very low miles) makes loud,banging,pounding,binding noises and sounds like the entire front end is going to fall off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-26

Electrical system

10% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and interior/under dash.

FIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2000-08-03Equipment00V200000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles have jacking instructions which, if followed, could cause the vehicle operator to place the jack on a frame weld when attempting to raise a…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with a revised jack instruction and stowage card and jack warning label, as well as a supplement to the owner guide.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  5. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  6. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  7. R
    2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…

    Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. 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

1998 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V200000 · Equipment
  • Recall 00V157002 · Seat belts
  • Recall 00V157001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • 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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
7 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.