MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-09-02

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, 2004 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 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 2004 2005: 487 complaints 2005 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011
2004: 347 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 61%

61% of complaints: exterior lighting — 210 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY AND W/O WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS, IN A PARKING LOT 5-10MPH, ON ROADWAY 30-45MPH AND ON THE HIGHWAY65-70MPH. LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON JUST AS UNEXPECTEDLY W/O APPARENT CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141224

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The rear running lights are not working. No lights in rear of vehicle at night.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240622

My front headlights stopped working and I was driving in the dark.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231115

STEERING 19%

19% of complaints: steering — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and linkages.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE OCCUPANTS (MALE DRIVER, FEMALE PASSENGER) WERE DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS BACK HOME FROM AN APPOINTMENT. AS THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A CURVE THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ANY EXTENT TO HOLD HIS LANE IN THE CURVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140404

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing key/sender and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving, I came to a stop light and suddenly, the car idled high and lurched forward while my foot was on the brake, luckily, I was stopped well away from the vehicle in front of me. The car idled high and seemed to have a mind of it's own.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220901

Also filed under ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DT: THE VEHICEL ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND THE BRAKES COULD NOT STOP IT. WHILE IN A PARKING LOT TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050802

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP , THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *JB THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *SC

NHTSA ODI report, 20041020

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3%

3% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 347
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 20140707 — PE (closed 20141121)

Steering Column Shaft Obstruction

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

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (210 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (40 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 ■ 2003 ■ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

2 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.