Mercury Grand Marquis 2003–2011 problems by year and mileage
4th generation · Ford Panther (hydroformed boxed frame, rack-and-pinion)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,622 complaints, 1,304 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 200382kmedian
- 200482kmedian
- 200573kmedian
- 200664kmedian
- 200729kmedian
- 200846kmedian
- 2009—too few
- 2010—too few
- 2011—too few
The 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 395
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2003
- Exterior lighting215 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Electrical system55 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Steering32 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 360
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2004
- Exterior lighting214 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Steering69 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Electrical system43 reports · median 90,000 mi
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 73,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 488
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2005
- Exterior lighting293 reports · median 79,000 mi
- Electrical system75 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Airbag system67 reports · median 54,000 mi
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Steering — rack and pinion · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 143
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system37 reports · median 73,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control37 reports · median 38,000 mi
- Seat belts22 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 29,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 96
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Tyres23 reports
- Body structure18 reports
- Throttle and speed control13 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- 46,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 80
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2008
- Steering23 reports
- Throttle and speed control15 reports
- Electrical system9 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 26
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Steering5 reports
- Electrical system4 reports
- Brakes4 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 25
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Steering6 reports
- Body structure5 reports
- Electrical system3 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 9
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system3 reports
- Steering2 reports
- Airbag system1 report
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion · Steering
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2004; earliest: the 2007, and the 2004 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age). 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 71,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 141,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,304
- Recalls
- 7
Most reported
- Exterior lighting45.7% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Electrical system12.4% of complaints · median 77,000 mi
- Steering11.0% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
Owners filed 1,622 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis; the exterior lighting leads with 45.7% of them, and half of the 1,304 that record an odometer reading came by 71,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 41,000 to 101,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis last?
On the 2003–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis, half of the 1,304 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 71,000 miles and 90% by 141,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
102 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 29 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Grand Marquis reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Mercury Grand Marquis 2003–2011 · 1,304 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 81 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 29 complaints (2.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 13,000
- 25%
- 41,000
- Median
- 71,000
- 75%
- 101,000
- 90%
- 141,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 73 | 5.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 32 | 2.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 33 | 2.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 31 | 2.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 33 | 2.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 33 | 2.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 28 | 2.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 45 | 3.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 45 | 3.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 50 | 3.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 81 | 6.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 42 | 3.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 61 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 35 | 2.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 57 | 4.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 60 | 4.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 55 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 61 | 4.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 43 | 3.3% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 51 | 3.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 49 | 3.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 34 | 2.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 34 | 2.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 23 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 28 | 2.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 18 | 1.4% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 23 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 19 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 22 | 1.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 29 | 2.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Grand Marquis problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Mercury Grand Marquis 2003–2011
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control166 reportsmedian 28,000middle half 10,000–58,000
- Body structure72 reportsmedian 49,000middle half 27,000–71,000
- Seat belts72 reportsmedian 58,000middle half 41,000–87,000
- Airbag system136 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 36,000–86,000
- Electrical system201 reportsmedian 77,000middle half 48,000–101,000
- Exterior lighting741 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 60,000–114,000
- Steering179 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 55,000–130,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 741 | 45.7% | 85,000 | 60,000–114,000 |
| Electrical system | 201 | 12.4% | 77,000 | 48,000–101,000 |
| Steering | 179 | 11.0% | 85,000 | 55,000–130,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 166 | 10.2% | 28,000 | 10,000–58,000 |
| Airbag system | 136 | 8.4% | 60,000 | 36,000–86,000 |
| Seat belts | 72 | 4.4% | 58,000 | 41,000–87,000 |
| Body structure | 72 | 4.4% | 49,000 | 27,000–71,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 45 | 2.8% | 36,000 | 6,000–100,000 |
| Suspension | 45 | 2.8% | 52,000 | 33,000–82,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 43 | 2.7% | 11,000 | 570–22,000 |
Known problems with the 2003–2011 Grand Marquis
Rear Air Suspension 2003–2011
Rear air springs and compressor leak and fail on air-suspension-equipped cars, causing rear sag and compressor overrun.
Steering Rack 2003–2011
The rack-and-pinion steering introduced for 2003 draws leak and looseness complaints not applicable to the earlier recirculating-ball cars — a useful discriminator between the 1998-2002 and 2003-2011 pages.
Before you buy a 2003–2011 Grand Marquis: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,304 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check rear air suspension on 2003–2011 (so–equipped) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check steering rack on 2003–2011 cars.
- Years differ here: from 9 to 488 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Grand Marquis problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi40% below | At 90k mi66% below | At 120k mi84% below | At 150k mi92% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 60,000–114,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 48,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 55,000–130,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 10,000–58,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 36,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Seat belts | 41,000–87,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 27,000–71,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Mercury Grand Marquis 2003–2011 · 1,304 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 40% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 66% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 92% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2003–2011 Mercury Grand Marquis recalls (7)
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the exterior lighting (1), the suspension (1) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2015 · 2003–2005 · Exterior LightingA loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in…
What can happen. A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Nov 2014 · 2005–2011 · SteeringImproper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result…
The defect. 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 August…
What can happen. Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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. Dealers will inspect and…
Aug 2013 · 2005–2011 · SteeringIf the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut…
What can happen. If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage…
Jun 2007 · 2008 · SuspensionIf a hub fractures, it may potentially detach from the wheel knuckle, resulting in the wheel being retained…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, a front wheel bearing and hub assembly may fracture due to improper heat treatment.
What can happen. If a hub fractures, it may potentially detach from the wheel knuckle, resulting in the wheel being retained only by the brake caliper assembly. As a result, the wheel may separate from the vehicle…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies and replace them free of charge. The recall began on june 22, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Apr 2007 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe brakes may not operate as intended, which could result in a crash.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles equipped with antilock brake systems (ABS) fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "Passenger car brake systems." The front and rear right side brake lines may be reversed at the ABS…
What can happen. The brakes may not operate as intended, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the brake line connections and the hydraulic control unit and reposition them free of charge. The recallbegan on april 27, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 2006 · 2007 · VisibilityIf the windshield is not properly retained to the vehicle, wind noise, squeak/rattles and/or water leaks may…
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'Windshield mounting.' The windshield may not be properly secured to the vehicle body.
What can happen. If the windshield is not properly retained to the vehicle, wind noise, squeak/rattles and/or water leaks may occur. Also, loss of windshield retention may reduce occupant protection in the event of a…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the windshield free of charge. The recall began on november 22, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 2005 · 2005 · Electrical SystemThis condition may result in heat damage and could lead to a fire.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable includes a fusible link that may contact and subsequently chafe on a #2 cross member attaching bolt.
What can happen. This condition may result in heat damage and could lead to a fire.
The free fix. 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.…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,622 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 109 (6.7%)
- Fires
- 18
- Injury reports
- 54
- Fatality reports
- 2
Grand Marquis problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 488, most of them about the exterior lighting, and the 2010 the fewest among the 8 years with at least 20 complaints, 25. A typical year drew about 120.
That makes the 2005 stand out at roughly 4.1 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 395 | 312 | 82,000 | Exterior lighting (215) | 1 |
| 2004 | 360 | 292 | 82,000 | Exterior lighting (214) | 1 |
| 2005 | 488 | 396 | 73,000 | Exterior lighting (293) | 4 |
| 2006 | 143 | 117 | 64,000 | Airbag system (37) | 2 |
| 2007 | 96 | 77 | 29,000 | Tyres (23) | 4 |
| 2008 | 80 | 66 | 46,000 | Steering (23) | 3 |
| 2009 | 26 | 19 | under 30 reports | Steering (5) | 2 |
| 2010 | 25 | 19 | under 30 reports | Steering (6) | 2 |
| 2011 | 9 | 6 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (3) | 2 |
What Grand Marquis owners reported
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the front headlights flickered on and off before turning off. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving at night. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of scorch marks on the LCM, and the relay…
2005 · 144,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side exhaust manifold shield fell into the steering linkage and caused the vehicle to run over a bush. There was no crash or injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, but…
2006 · 136,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended causing the contact to have driven straight instead of turning. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an…
2005 · 145,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the lower intermediate shaft was replaced. The contact stated that it was determined that the upper intermediate shaft and steering…
2008 · 140,000 miles · Steering
Built from 1,304 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Grand Marquis generations
- Grand Marquis 1992–1997 357 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Grand Marquis 1998–2002 368 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system