FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Ford Grand Marquis problems

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis with NHTSA between 1999 and 2004. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

23

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

72,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1997 compares with every other Ford Grand Marquis

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Ford Grand Marquis

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 11 47.8%

Median failure at 73,402 miles

Electrical System 3 13.0%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 8.7%
Body & Structure 2 8.7%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

Brakes 2 8.7%
Seats 1 4.3%
Lights 1 4.3%
Steering 1 4.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 1999 peak 4 Sep 2004

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Grand Forks, ND

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED IN SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10091463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Annandale, VA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEARS AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME BROKE AND COULD NOT FIX IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED IT WOULD COST THE CONSUMER $3862 TO REPAIR IT. *AK THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA WHEN BRAKING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10071735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Cape Coral, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10071446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles East Northport, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS VERY HIGH BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE COOLANT TO GO INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10048034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,779 miles Cheraw, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK OUT.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10038018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,025 miles Greenfield, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A COOLANT SMELL COMING INTO THE CAB . ALSO HEAVY SMOKE COMIING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATES THERE IS A HAIRLINE CRACK ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10029884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. MANIFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.

NHTSA complaint #10029597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Hill, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER AND FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE STEAM CONTINUED TO ESCAPE AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE USED PLASTIC INTAKE FOR SOME TIME AND THE VEHICLES WERE SUBJECT TO HIGHER TEMPERATURES AND WOULD STOP IN TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10022541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10020346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Luis, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLES FAULTY REGULATOR CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Litchfield Park, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TURN SIGNALS AS WELL AS OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRAME CRACKED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10015737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,035 miles Plantation, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE VEHICLES INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND RESULTED IN COOLANT LEAK. *NLM *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10012509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,900 miles Garden City, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.TS

NHTSA complaint #8023712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Intersection City, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN SEARCH FOR PARTS TO REPAIR A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LINE. PARTS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BY FORD COMPANY . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8011170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boscawen, NH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND. THEN, CONSUMER SAW WATER POURING OUT OF BACK OF VEHICLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT, AND VEHICLE STALLED ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED GAS STATION ,AND THEY REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #896273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boscawen, NH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND. THEN, CONSUMER SAW WATER POURING OUT OF BACK OF VEHICLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT, AND VEHICLE STALLED ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED GAS STATION ,AND THEY REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #896273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moline, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BRAKE LIGHT LENS COVER HAVE STRESS CRACKS WHICH RESLUTS IN WATER GETTING INTO THE LAMP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #866602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deland, FL

STEERING

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CRACKED CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER,AND CONTROL DUE TO FAN BELT GETTING WET , STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND POWER COMPONETS SHUTTING DOWN. CONTROL OF VEHICLE DECREASED QUICKLY, RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG WIRES BEING DAMAGED AND PLUGS FAILING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #725065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deland, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CRACKED CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER,AND CONTROL DUE TO FAN BELT GETTING WET , STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND POWER COMPONETS SHUTTING DOWN. CONTROL OF VEHICLE DECREASED QUICKLY, RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG WIRES BEING DAMAGED AND PLUGS FAILING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #725065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deland, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CRACKED CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER,AND CONTROL DUE TO FAN BELT GETTING WET , STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND POWER COMPONETS SHUTTING DOWN. CONTROL OF VEHICLE DECREASED QUICKLY, RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG WIRES BEING DAMAGED AND PLUGS FAILING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #725065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deland, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CRACKED CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER,AND CONTROL DUE TO FAN BELT GETTING WET , STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND POWER COMPONETS SHUTTING DOWN. CONTROL OF VEHICLE DECREASED QUICKLY, RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG WIRES BEING DAMAGED AND PLUGS FAILING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #725065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palos Verd, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. YH

NHTSA complaint #609063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.