MYRModel Year Report

2005 Mercury Grand Marquis

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 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
487
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

62% 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 2001 2002: 78 complaints 2003: 362 complaints 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 487 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 2003 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 487 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 2003 2004: 347 complaints 2005: 487 complaints 2005 487 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 26 complaints 2009 2010: 24 complaints 2011: 9 complaints 2011

2005: 487 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

62% · 304 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH

Electrical system

16% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing horn and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

14% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the contact stated while going through an intersection another vehicle ran a stop sign and struck the contact's vehicle on the side. Upon impact, the contact's vehicle was knocked into another lane and was hit head on by a third vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-12-27

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-31

Also filed under Seat belts

Vehicle speed control

8% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On [XXX] I was driving this recently purchased Grand marquis . On [XXX] here in San Antonio around ten at night I hit the brakes and something under the hood compartment blew up and it cocked the car .

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-08

Also filed under Engine and service brakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling 10 MPH when the vehicle accelerated up to 50 MPH and the driver crashed into several trees.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-06

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while parking, he attempted to apply the brakes but depressed the accelerator pedal instead. The contact crashed against another vehicle as a result. There was no damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-19

Seat belts

7% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing retractor.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 487 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-11-18Electrical system05V518000 On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable includes a fusible link that may contact and subsequently chafe on a #2 cross member attaching bolt.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fusible link and position it away from the cross member bolt. If the fusible link has already chafed and copper wires have been exposed, the fusible link will be replaced.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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. R
    2013-10-23Steering13V385000 Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2014-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-11-21 Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
  7. R
    2014-11-19Steering14V704000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to...

    Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2015-04-01Defect petitionClosed 2015-08-11 Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
  9. I
    2015-08-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2016-01-08 Loss of headlights
  10. 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

2005 Mercury Grand Marquis — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 304 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 76 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 67 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V518000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 13V385000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V704000 · Steering
  • 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 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
5 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.