FaultScore report
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis with NHTSA between 1995 and 2018. The largest single group is the electrical system.
106
Complaints
13
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
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.
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Risk: IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
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.
Powertrain
THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A PARK ROD ASSEMBLY THAT INCLUDES A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS. THIS COULD RESULT IN HIGH PARK DISENGAGEMENT FORCES OR IN NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS IN TURN COULD RESULT IN AN UNPOWERED VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. CORRECTION: PARK ROD ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10060038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WAS EMPTYING THE TRUNK AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE SOON ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE RESULTS, IT WAS DETERMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE CABLE HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10034051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WAS EMPTYING THE TRUNK AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE SOON ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE RESULTS, IT WAS DETERMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE CABLE HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10034051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BE ADVISED SHE DIDN'T STRIKE ANY OBJECTS/ A CURB OR TREE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER BODY.
NHTSA complaint #899555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #895593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND GOT OUT. THE CAR WAS IN "PARK" AND I WAS STANDING AT MY OPENED DOOR REACHING TO OPEN THE PASSANGER DOOR. THE CAR SHIFTED TO "REVERSE". IT KNOCKED ME DOWN AND RAN OVER ME WITH THE FRONT TIRE. IT RAN OVER MY LEGS AND CHEST. IT THEN SCRAPPED AND DENTED MY WIFE'S CAR, AND WAS HALTED BY RUNNING IN TO THE REAR END OF MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR ACROSS THE STREET. HE IS A POLICE OFFICER AND HE FILED THE REPORT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT COVER ANY MORE OF MY MEDICAL BILLS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I HAD JUST HAD KNEE SURGERY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I AM PERMANENTLY DISABLED. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU CAN HELP ME. (910) 452-0222.
NHTSA complaint #748041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1991 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE AFTER MARKET ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. *LD THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW STARTER SOLENOID RELAY, BWD SELECT BRAND BY STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS INC., AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS, IT SHORT-CIRCUITED. DUE TO THIS THE STARTER WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE FLYWHEEL WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT MADE A VERY LOUD METAL GRINDING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW STARTER RELAY.
NHTSA complaint #11112648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.THE CAR KEEPS KILLING THE BATTERY AND I'VE ALREADY SPENT MONEY ON AN ALTERNATOR USED. BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS STIFF AT TIMES AND DOES NOT GRAB WELL AT TIMES. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT CAR BECAUSE OF AIR BAG FAILURE. IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE GARAGE THAT THE OWNER BEFORE ME HAD BOUGHT IT FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10070780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.THE CAR KEEPS KILLING THE BATTERY AND I'VE ALREADY SPENT MONEY ON AN ALTERNATOR USED. BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS STIFF AT TIMES AND DOES NOT GRAB WELL AT TIMES. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT CAR BECAUSE OF AIR BAG FAILURE. IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE GARAGE THAT THE OWNER BEFORE ME HAD BOUGHT IT FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10070780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.THE CAR KEEPS KILLING THE BATTERY AND I'VE ALREADY SPENT MONEY ON AN ALTERNATOR USED. BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS STIFF AT TIMES AND DOES NOT GRAB WELL AT TIMES. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT CAR BECAUSE OF AIR BAG FAILURE. IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE GARAGE THAT THE OWNER BEFORE ME HAD BOUGHT IT FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10070780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.THE CAR KEEPS KILLING THE BATTERY AND I'VE ALREADY SPENT MONEY ON AN ALTERNATOR USED. BRAKE PEDAL SEEMS STIFF AT TIMES AND DOES NOT GRAB WELL AT TIMES. AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVER SINCE I BOUGHT CAR BECAUSE OF AIR BAG FAILURE. IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE GARAGE THAT THE OWNER BEFORE ME HAD BOUGHT IT FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10070780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10060038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WAS EMPTYING THE TRUNK AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE SOON ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE RESULTS, IT WAS DETERMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE CABLE HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10034051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WAS EMPTYING THE TRUNK AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE SOON ERUPTED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, AND WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. AFTER CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE RESULTS, IT WAS DETERMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE CABLE HARNESS CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10034051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
V8 CYLINDER ENGINE IS RUNNING 70. 8 CYLINDER IS NOT GETTING OIL, THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8015381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BE ADVISED SHE DIDN'T STRIKE ANY OBJECTS/ A CURB OR TREE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER BODY.
NHTSA complaint #899555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STARTS AND RIDES FOR ABOUT 20 MILES, THEN IF I HAVE TO STOP FOR SOME REASON THE CAR STALLS ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE TO BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILLY. NO ACCIDENTS YET BUT I AM AFRAID I WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS PROBLEM. I THINK MY CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND HAVE THID PROBLEM FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #754650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR A JUDGE DECISOIN ON A PROGRAM TO REPLACE. THEY SHOULD JUST RECALL AFFECTED VEHICILES. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #752100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #895593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND GOT OUT. THE CAR WAS IN "PARK" AND I WAS STANDING AT MY OPENED DOOR REACHING TO OPEN THE PASSANGER DOOR. THE CAR SHIFTED TO "REVERSE". IT KNOCKED ME DOWN AND RAN OVER ME WITH THE FRONT TIRE. IT RAN OVER MY LEGS AND CHEST. IT THEN SCRAPPED AND DENTED MY WIFE'S CAR, AND WAS HALTED BY RUNNING IN TO THE REAR END OF MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR ACROSS THE STREET. HE IS A POLICE OFFICER AND HE FILED THE REPORT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT COVER ANY MORE OF MY MEDICAL BILLS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I HAD JUST HAD KNEE SURGERY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I AM PERMANENTLY DISABLED. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU CAN HELP ME. (910) 452-0222.
NHTSA complaint #748041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON CONSUMER'S SIDE IS BADLY RUSTED. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN VEHICLE IS MAKING NOISE . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS MADE REPAIRS, FRAME PLATE WAS WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #875575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM HOOD AREA. WHEN TRYING TO PULL TO SIDE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND DUE TO WIRES THAT WERE BURNIG UNDER THE HOOD. THESE WERE THE ALTENATOR WIRES THAT SHORTED OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THE FIRE FROM THE TERMINALS DAMAGED ALL THE INSULATION AND THE WIRING OF THE ALTERNATOR TERMINALS UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #873465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE IN THE STORE SHOPPING WALKED OUT, AND CAR LOOKED LIKE STEAM COMING FROM IT, FROM THE COLOR OF THE SMOKE. CONSUMER GOT CLOSER AND NOTICED BUBBLING IN THE HOOD AND DISCOLORIZATION. IT WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER FELT THAT FIRE STARTED FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #872122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS PART IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN SAN FRANCISCO IN THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERIOIR COURT. JUDGE MICHAEL BALLACHEY HAS ISSUED A PRELIMINARY DECISION TO ORDER A RECALL ON AS MANY AS 2 MILLION VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1983-95. UNFORTUNATELY, I COULDN'T WAIT FOR THE RECALL SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD STALLED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I FELT I HAD TO PAYFOR A ARTIAL CORRECTION (NEW PART RELOCATED IN THE SAME SPACE) AND WAIT OUT THE RESULTS OF THE LAW SUIT. IF A RECALL IS ORDERED AND IF FORD DOESN'T APPEAL, I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PART RELOCATED TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE ENGINE SINCE OVERHEATING CAUSES EVENTUAL PART FAILURE. MY MECHANIC DID NOT WANT TO RELOCATE THE PART WITHOUT DIRECTIONS FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #730341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS PART IS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN SAN FRANCISCO IN THE ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERIOIR COURT. JUDGE MICHAEL BALLACHEY HAS ISSUED A PRELIMINARY DECISION TO ORDER A RECALL ON AS MANY AS 2 MILLION VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1983-95. UNFORTUNATELY, I COULDN'T WAIT FOR THE RECALL SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD STALLED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. I FELT I HAD TO PAYFOR A ARTIAL CORRECTION (NEW PART RELOCATED IN THE SAME SPACE) AND WAIT OUT THE RESULTS OF THE LAW SUIT. IF A RECALL IS ORDERED AND IF FORD DOESN'T APPEAL, I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE PART RELOCATED TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE ENGINE SINCE OVERHEATING CAUSES EVENTUAL PART FAILURE. MY MECHANIC DID NOT WANT TO RELOCATE THE PART WITHOUT DIRECTIONS FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #730341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DIDN'T DEACTIVATE THE SPEED CONTROL. TURNED VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN BACK ON, AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. HAD TO OPEN THE HOOD TO DISCONNECT THE SWITCH. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #862764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
WHEN PUSHING EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, AND THIS WILL NOT PROPERLY HOLD VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #860177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR NEEDLE VALVES BROKE, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE CYLINDERS, RESULTING IN LOW ENGINE COMPRESSION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #853340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WAS AT RED LIGHT. NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD & LIFTED HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES AROUND THE ALTERNATOR. ANOTHER MOTORIST SMOTHERED FLAMES WITH BACK PACK. VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC ALTERNATOR & WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE CHANGED TO ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE & MELTED WIRES.
NHTSA complaint #850479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER TURNED ON IGNITION ,PUT TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKES , THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE, HITTING 4 VEHICLES, AND THEN WENT FORWARD HITTING A BUILDING.
NHTSA complaint #849101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO REVERSE, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #848911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.