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FaultScore report

1998 Mercury Marquis problems

Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Marquis with NHTSA between 1998 and 2015. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 12 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercury Marquis All 1998 cars
C

FaultScore 45/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercury Marquis.

How this is worked out

The numbers

40

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

75,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

6%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 62 vs 50 Severity 39 vs 50 Early failure 10 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 62
Against the median year of the Mercury Marquis. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 39
7.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 10
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1998 compares with every other Mercury 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 1998 Mercury Marquis

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

Brakes 7 17.5%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 5 12.5%

Median failure at 102,500 miles

Lights 4 10.0%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Suspension 4 10.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 97,083 mi

Steering 4 10.0%

Median failure at 73,541 miles

Tires 3 7.5%

Median failure at 84,111 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 7.5%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 7.5%
Body & Structure 2 5.0%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 2.5%
Seat Belts 1 2.5%
Wheels 1 2.5%

Median failure at 97,083 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.5%
Electrical System 1 2.5%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 5.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 29.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 9 52.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 11.8%

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.

Feb 1998 peak 3 May 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Mercury Marquis

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.

PE98057 Opened 28 Oct 1998 Closed 11 Feb 1999 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

INERTIA FUEL SHUT OFF SWITCH

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Weaverville, NC 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS, VEHICLE KEEPS GOING AS IF NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #854217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

W. Orange, NJ Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40MPH SUDDENLY FRONT WHEELS KEPT SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. HAD NO STEERING CONTROL. WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT & FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. HAD 2 INJURIES. EMERGENCY RM TREATMENT. THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY.

NHTSA complaint #845730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 97,083 miles Cabot, AR

WHEELS

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10715317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,083 miles Cabot, AR

STEERING

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10715317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,083 miles Cabot, AR

SUSPENSION

THE FRONT END IS VERY SQUEAKY LOUD AND WHEN YOU MAKE HARD TURNS TO LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A LOUD SPRING POPPING SOUND. THE STEERING IS FEEL LOSE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS WOBBLING SIDE TO SIDE AND HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD IS A LITTLE TOUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10715317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Dunedin, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD AND THE THERMOSTAT HOLDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB, INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM A BROKEN PART, RELEASING ANTI-FREEZE. THE THERMOSTAT GASKET HOUSING AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/15

NHTSA complaint #10679678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Dunedin, FL

ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD AND THE THERMOSTAT HOLDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE CURB, INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM A BROKEN PART, RELEASING ANTI-FREEZE. THE THERMOSTAT GASKET HOUSING AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/15

NHTSA complaint #10679678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA complaint #10643847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA complaint #10643847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Horsheads, NY

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

98 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 50,000 MILES DRIVING 10 MPH THE PS TIEROD END FELL OFF LOSING ALL CONTROL. CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER ALL TIE ROD ENDS REPLACE WITH GREASABLE ENDS COST $400.00 THIS IS A SEALED TIE ROD END REQUIRING NO GREASE (MANUFACTURES DEFECT REQUIRING RECALL,I STILL HAVE OLD PARTS. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN INSPECTED NYS.

NHTSA complaint #10221071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Poplar Bluff, MO

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH STEAM WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10156305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Teague, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY GRAND MARQUIS CRACKED AN CAUSED MY CAR TO RUN HOT AN I HAD TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE 1998 MERQURY GRAND MARQUIS I REPLACED IT ON THE 9-14-05.

NHTSA complaint #10137901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,111 miles SAN Antonio, TX

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT: HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, THE WHOLE TIRE CAME COMPLETELY APART AND THE TREAD HAD SHREDDED.

NHTSA complaint #10126657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Aventura, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

REAR BRAKES DID NOT MATCH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-50 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC REPLACED 2 REAR ROTORS AND 2 REAR BRAKE PADS. ALSO MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD A DIFFERENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAN THE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10055958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Aventura, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

REAR BRAKES DID NOT MATCH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-50 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC REPLACED 2 REAR ROTORS AND 2 REAR BRAKE PADS. ALSO MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD A DIFFERENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAN THE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10055958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Aventura, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR BRAKES DID NOT MATCH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 35-50 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC REPLACED 2 REAR ROTORS AND 2 REAR BRAKE PADS. ALSO MECHANIC DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES HAD A DIFFERENT BRAKING SYSTEM THAN THE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10055958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Richardson, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

HEADLIGHT LENSES MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO FROST ON THE OUTSIDE LENS. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE FAR DOWN THE ROAD WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE FINE AND NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE AND HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. WHEN THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE USED, ONCOMING VEHICLES DID NOT SIGNAL THE CONSUMER TO SWITCH BACK TO THE LOW BEAMS. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10044229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gretna, LA

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

JACK WARNING LABEL DOES NOT MEET FVMSS SAFETY STANDARDS. *AK REFER TO RECALL NO.# 00V200000. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10042733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mchenry, IL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

OWNER CAN NOT TELL WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10040714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Ninety SIX, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY TRUNK ON MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK,MY CAR HAS JUMPED TIMING TWICE IN A MONTH AND WAS STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE THE SECOND TIME AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND BUY THE TIMING KIT TWICE. NOT COUNTING ON ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 1998 NEW. THE CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME... WHICH IS MARVIN MINOR. I REALLY DO LIKE MY CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. 8NLM

NHTSA complaint #10014437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Ninety SIX, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY TRUNK ON MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK,MY CAR HAS JUMPED TIMING TWICE IN A MONTH AND WAS STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE THE SECOND TIME AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND BUY THE TIMING KIT TWICE. NOT COUNTING ON ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 1998 NEW. THE CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME... WHICH IS MARVIN MINOR. I REALLY DO LIKE MY CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. 8NLM

NHTSA complaint #10014437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Ninety SIX, SC

STRUCTURE

MY TRUNK ON MY 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE LEAKS WATER WHEN IT RAINS, PASSENGER WINDOW SWITCH DOES NOT WORK,MY CAR HAS JUMPED TIMING TWICE IN A MONTH AND WAS STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE THE SECOND TIME AND HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND BUY THE TIMING KIT TWICE. NOT COUNTING ON ALL THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 1998 NEW. THE CAR IS IN MY HUSBANDS NAME... WHICH IS MARVIN MINOR. I REALLY DO LIKE MY CAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. 8NLM

NHTSA complaint #10014437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylor, SC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION VIBRATED AND ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8009261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadalphia, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETURN TO RETRACTING MECHANISM AFTER USE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8001910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BEN Salem, PA

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 3-5 MPH. VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT STEERING GEAR BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS MADE UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #897714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Queens, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK CONSUMER STATES AT 18880 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP ON DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE FOGGED UP AT 22704 MILES, DEALER REPLACED THEM, HOWEVER AT 41396 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED AGAIN AND DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Queens, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. *AK CONSUMER STATES AT 18880 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP ON DRIVER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE FOGGED UP AT 22704 MILES, DEALER REPLACED THEM, HOWEVER AT 41396 MILES HEADLIGHTS FOGGED AGAIN AND DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.