MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mercury Grand Marquis

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 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, 2003 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 2003 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
2003: 362 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 52%

52% of complaints: exterior lighting — 188 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Its the LCM L(IGHT CONTROL MODULE)...HEAD LIGHTS went out on me one night coming down [XXX] causing me to wreck in a ditch and hitting a light pole INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI report, 20240114

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Its the LCM L(IGHT CONTROL MODULE)...HEAD LIGHTS went out on me one night coming down [XXX] causing me to wreck in a ditch and hitting a light pole INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI report, 20240114

I started Mercury with foot on break like normal. Shifted into reverse. Car accelerated backwards at full speed. Brakes did not stop car. Attempted to shift into neutral but went into drive instead.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230120

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THE ONLY WAY THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK AFTER THAT IS IF YOU HOLD THE HIGH BEAM LEVER BACK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150518

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 27 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5%

5% of complaints: exterior lighting — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I started Mercury with foot on break like normal. Shifted into reverse. Car accelerated backwards at full speed. Brakes did not stop car. Attempted to shift into neutral but went into drive instead.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230120

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131028

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121019

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 362
I 20030225 — PE (closed 20030808)

FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM

I 20040122 — PE (closed 20040708)

REAR AXLE FRACTURE

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DESIGN

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.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20081126 — PE (closed 20090324)

LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION

I 20150401 — DP (closed 20150811)

Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting

I 20150810 — PE (closed 20160108)

Loss of headlights

R 20170414 — exterior lighting

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.

Campaign 15V861000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (188 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V861000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1989

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2004 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

2 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.