1998 Mercury GRAND MARQUIS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 88 complaints (8.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
Exterior Lighting: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 47 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 16 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 10; 2002: 9; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2018: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10043921 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS.*MR THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, SOME OF THEM TWICE. FORD PUT UNGREASED PARTS ON. EVENTUALLY THEY DRIED OUT AGAIN AND STARTED SQUEAKING. IF NOT REPLACED THEY WOULD POSSIBLY BREAK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. *PH THE FRONT BRAKES WERE RESURFACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089797 · 2004-08-26 (August 26, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED THE LOSS OF STEERING AND THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED $750.00, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104447 · 2004-12-24 (December 24, 2004)
ELECTRICAL SHORT ON 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS CAUSES ENGINE TO STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING NOT OPERABLE WHEN ENGINE STALLS. CANNOT RESTART ENGINE WHEN CONDITION OCCURS. CAR TOWED ALL THREE TIMES. PROBLEM DOCUMENTED IN FORD SERVICE BULLITIN 12950. PROBLEM OCCURED 3 TIMES: NOVEMBER 2003 OCTOBER 2004 NOVEMBER 2004. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 34,032 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089991 · 2004-11-01 (November 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER USED A STARTER BATTERY KIT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE OR CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE AAA REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE STALLING MAY BE DUE TO ENGINE MOTOR FAILURE. DEALERSHIP AND SEARS RETAIL STORE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. ALSO , THE BATTERY AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED REAR END COLLISION.*AK OWNER IS AN EX PHILADELPHIA EAGLE FOOTBALL PLAYER NAMED CURTIS BUNCH-BLACK. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042082 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
DEALER REPLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 49000 MILES AT COST $1,800 TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164002 · 2006-07-31 (July 31, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AFTER IT WAS PUT IN TO PARK. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND NOT SOMETHING CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. UPDATED 8/16/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 894165 · 2001-08-13 (August 13, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING FUEL PUMP FAILED AND VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 894165 at NHTSA ↗