FaultScore report
Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis with NHTSA between 1995 and 2015. The largest single group is the electrical system.
63
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
69,000 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
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
5 crashes, 0 fires · median 127,998 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 49,000 mi
Median failure at 127,989 miles
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 40,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 89,000 mi
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG, THE CENTRE POST THREADS OF THE AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. IN A DEPLOYMENT LEVEL COLLISION, THE CENTRE POST HOUSING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE AIR BAG ADAPTER CAUSING THE AIR BAG NOT TO INFLATE PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, HOT COMBUSTION GASES WOULD FLOW DIRECTLY THROUGH THE AIR BAG RATHER THAN THROUGH THE NORMAL FILTERING AND COOLING DEVICES, PRESENTING THE POSSIBILITY OF BURN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. CORRECTION: AIR BAG MODULES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I EMBARKED ON A ROUTINE TRIP TO DINNER IN MY MOTHER'S 1990 MERCURY MARQUIS. I STARTED THE ENGINE WHICH IDLED NORMALLY, AS USUAL. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I ENGAGED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE R POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE ACCELLERATION IN A REVERSE DIRECTION. I SWERVED THE CAR TO THE LEFT TO AVOID CHILDREN ACROSS THE STREET AND RAMMED A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE STREET. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON IMPACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. I PLACE THE CAR IN D AND RETURNED IT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE IT REMAINED UNTIL WE COULD DELIVER IT TO OUR FAMILY MECHANIC. HE PLACED THE ENGINE ON HIS ANALYZER - DID OTHER INSPECTIONS OF BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER THROTTLE RELATED SYSTEMS AND FOUND NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10122006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AND PARKED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE OPERATOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, THE OPERATOR IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AS THE ALTERNATOR. OPERATOR CONTINUED TO OBSERVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT THE VOLUME OF SMOKE WAS INCREASING. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES, THE ALTERNATOR BURST INTO FLAMES. ARCING WAS SEEN AND HEARD WITHIN THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY FETTE FORD IN WAYNE, NJ IN SEPT 1999 AND, UPON SUBSEQUENT FAILURE, AGAIN IN APPROXIMATELY JAN 2000. FETTE FORD STATED THAT REBUILT FORD ALTERNATORS WERE USED IN BOTH CASES.
NHTSA complaint #738760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
OWNER HAD STARTED VEHICLE & PUT FOOT ON BRAKES BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF & HIT A TREE & THEN A BUILDING. A POLICEMAN HAD WITNESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. NO SKID MARKS. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #851438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL CAN ON FULL FORCE WHILE BACKING WHICH CAUSED A CRASH, TOTALLING THE AUTO. TWICE BEFORE SPEED CONTROL CAME ON WHEN BRAKING. IS THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM ? UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A TV SHOW TALKING ABOUT SIMILAR FAILURES. CAN YOU FURNISH ANY INFORMATION AS WIFE HAD NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS FAILURE CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #524961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHEN TRAVELING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #820625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE
ENGINE OCCASIONALLY SURGES WHEN PLACED INTO REVERSE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RACES AND THE CAR EVEN CONVULSES. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPS IT IS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THIS IS MY MOM'S CAR AND SHE RARELY DRIVES IT.
NHTSA complaint #10745543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I EMBARKED ON A ROUTINE TRIP TO DINNER IN MY MOTHER'S 1990 MERCURY MARQUIS. I STARTED THE ENGINE WHICH IDLED NORMALLY, AS USUAL. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I ENGAGED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE R POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE ACCELLERATION IN A REVERSE DIRECTION. I SWERVED THE CAR TO THE LEFT TO AVOID CHILDREN ACROSS THE STREET AND RAMMED A VEHICLE PARKED ON THE STREET. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON IMPACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. I PLACE THE CAR IN D AND RETURNED IT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE IT REMAINED UNTIL WE COULD DELIVER IT TO OUR FAMILY MECHANIC. HE PLACED THE ENGINE ON HIS ANALYZER - DID OTHER INSPECTIONS OF BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL AND OTHER THROTTLE RELATED SYSTEMS AND FOUND NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #10122006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
GOODYEAR INTEGRITY P215/75R15. SIDEWALL BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED (45-55 MPH.) TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON 08/27/2001, AND HAD 36,000 MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. TIRES WERE WELL MAINTAINED, HAD NO PRIOR DAMAGE, AND TIRE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FAILURE. FAILURE WAS SPONTANEOUS AND CATASTROPHIC. T IS IRONIC THAT A TIRE WITH THE BRAND NAME OF "INTEGRITY" SHOULD SPONTANEOUSLY DISINTEGRATE.
NHTSA complaint #10097930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE 'AIR BAG' LIGHT ON MY DASH IS LIGHTING UP. IT DOESN'T STAY ON CONSTANTLY, BUT IT DOES FLASH, WHICH CONCERNS ME. IT DOESN'T GO ON EVERY TIME MY CAR IS ON, BUT IT DOES FLASH ABOUT 95% OF THE TIME. I SAW THE RECALL AND WANT TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED AND IF IT WAS FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10091040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE AIR BAG IN MY CAR, WHICH IS A 1990 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOESN'T STAY ON CONSTANTLY, BUT IT DOES 'FLICKER' OR IT WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT DOESN'T COME ON AT ALL, BUT I AM STILL CONCERNED. I WAS WONDERING, SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PART OF THE AIRBAG, IF I SHOULD HAVE IT LOOKED AT.
NHTSA complaint #10090562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING.*MR WHEN THE VEHICLES ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED IT BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE INSULATOR CAP FELL OFF. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10042141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ALSO EMERGENCY BRAKE FROZEN AND INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10039019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ALSO EMERGENCY BRAKE FROZEN AND INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10039019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE FIRST GEAR, WONT SHIFT. DEALER NOTIFIED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP AND OVERHAULED. TRANSMISSION AT COST OVER $1000.00 *AK
NHTSA complaint #10027039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER TO GO FORWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION COST OVER $1000.00. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10027032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE VEHICLE LEAKED BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10019568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR, INSTEAD OF PURCHASING IT. WHEN I RECEIVED THIS CAR WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING. IT CONTINUES TO BLINK 10 TIMES, THEN REPEATS ITSELF. LIKE A CODE. THE R. FRONT BUMBER WAS DENTED IN BUT, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING RECALL ON THE TFI MODULE WHICH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TFI MODULE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENT AND DEATH. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DOES NOT FORCE A RECALL BUT ONLY COVERS REPLACEMENT COST AFTER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #564849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMER STATES DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THICK FILM IGNITION MOUDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #564579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I WAS PROCEEDING HOME IN EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR ENGINE QUIT INSTANTANEOUSLY. I WAS FORCED TO STOP IN THE RIGHT LANE OF TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH IN THE RIGHT LANE I COULD NOT PULL OFF OF THE ROAD BECAUSE THERE WAS A BARRIER WITH NO SHOULDER FOR ME TO PULL ONTO. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR ALTHOUGH I WAS SITTING WHERE TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER. THE VEHICLE TRAFFIC WHERE I WAS STALLED ROUTINELY MOVES AT OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR WHICH LUCKILY FOR ME DID NOT RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #750972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY FATHER-IN-LAW ROBERT SPEEG IN 1989 OR 1990 WITH THE 5 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. OWNERSHIP TRANSFERRED TO US IN 1995 AND WE TRANSFERRED EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON WITH 3 MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. LAST TRANSMISSION SERVICE COST US $1,434. PREVIOUS TWO WERE COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WERE OF SIMILIAR MAGNITUDE. CAR IS LOW MILEAGE AND IN GREAT PHSICAL CONDITION BUT IS A MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL LEMON. CURRENT PROBLEM WHICH PROMPTED REPORTING IS THE ENGINE STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. THERE IS NO WARNING AND NO MISSING AND YOU ARE FORCED TO MANEUVAR THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC WIHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. CAR WILL NOT RESTART BY CRANKING ENGINE AND DOESN'T EVEN TRY. ACTS LIKE IGNITION OR FUEL SUPPLY HAS BEEN DISABLED. HOWEVER, IF YOU OPEN THE AIR CLEANER AND LIFT THE AIR FILTER, CAR STARTS RIGHT AWAY. HAVE REPLACED AIR FILTER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT DIRTY - DID NOT HELP. AFTER AN INTERNET INQUIRY, WAS REFERRED TO "THICK FILM INJECTION (TFI) CLASS ACTION SUIT" AT WWW.AUTOSAFETY.ORG/ACTIONALERTS/TFI-INTO.HTM. THIS REFERENCE ENGINE STALLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO OUR PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT OUR VEHICLE HAS THE DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTED TFI MODULE AS INDICATED BY "1984-94 LTD/MARQUIS (5.0L)". CONTACTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NORTHPOINT FORD IN ALPHARETTA ON 2/16/01. SCOTT SAID PROBLEM WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE UNLESS IT HAPPENED WHILE THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT WAS CONNECTED WHICH IS HIGHLY UNPROBABLE. REPORTED THE ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM TO CHARLENE AT FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ON 2/16/01 WHO SAYS THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE TFI PROBLEM/CLAIM IS BEING APPEALED IN CALIFORNIA. REPORTED TO NHTSA ON 2/16/01 WHO REFERRED ME TO THIS WEB SITE.
NHTSA complaint #741022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AND PARKED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE OPERATOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, THE OPERATOR IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AS THE ALTERNATOR. OPERATOR CONTINUED TO OBSERVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTED THAT THE VOLUME OF SMOKE WAS INCREASING. AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES, THE ALTERNATOR BURST INTO FLAMES. ARCING WAS SEEN AND HEARD WITHIN THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY FETTE FORD IN WAYNE, NJ IN SEPT 1999 AND, UPON SUBSEQUENT FAILURE, AGAIN IN APPROXIMATELY JAN 2000. FETTE FORD STATED THAT REBUILT FORD ALTERNATORS WERE USED IN BOTH CASES.
NHTSA complaint #738760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONTINUALLY, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CENTER CRASH SENSOR AND THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #783989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HAD 2 EMERGANCY STOPS AND CAR DID NOT STOP , FRONT BRAKES LOCKED AND CAR SKIDED AND WOULD NOT STOP DEALER SAID HE HAD SAME CAR AND SAID "THATS HOW THE BRAKES ARE IN THIS CAR , THEY JUST DON'T STOP. THIS CAR IS A HAZARD AND CORRECTION SHOULD BE MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #732095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING ABS INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #860429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING ABS INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REPAIR PROBLEM RETURNED. PROBLEM CAN BE REPAIRED AT OWNER'S COST, BUT OWNER CAN'T AFFORD.*AK
NHTSA complaint #860056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
OWNER HAD STARTED VEHICLE & PUT FOOT ON BRAKES BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF & HIT A TREE & THEN A BUILDING. A POLICEMAN HAD WITNESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. NO SKID MARKS. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #851438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY ON DASH, TURN ON HEAT , AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMES ON WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING IN COLD WEATHER
NHTSA complaint #713880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY ON DASH, TURN ON HEAT , AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMES ON WHICH IS VERY ANNOYING IN COLD WEATHER
NHTSA complaint #713880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING, INDICTATING ITS IS INOPERATIVE, AND CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #849698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.