MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
347
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

61% 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 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2004 347 2005: 487 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 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 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 1999 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2004 347 2005: 487 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 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 1997 1998: 143 complaints 1999: 164 complaints 1999 2000: 162 complaints 2001: 157 complaints 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2004 347 2005: 487 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 79 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
200879
200926
201024
20119

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

61% · 210 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2014-12-24

Also filed under Electrical system

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-22

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-15

Steering

19% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and linkages.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2014-04-04

Electrical system

12% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing key/sender and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Vehicle speed control

7% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2022-09-01

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, 2005-08-02

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-20

Engine and engine cooling

3% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 347 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  3. 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 →

  4. I
    2008-11-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-03-24 Loss of headlight function
  5. I
    2014-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-11-21 Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
  6. I
    2015-04-01Defect petitionClosed 2015-08-11 Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
  7. I
    2015-08-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-01-08 Loss of headlights
  8. R
    2017-04-14Exterior lighting15V861000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 210 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 67 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 40 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V861000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.