2008 Mercury GRAND MARQUIS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
46,330 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 78 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 33.3% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 25.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
Steering: 20; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Electrical System: 8; Exterior Lighting: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Engine: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 12 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 3; 2010: 8; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 8; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 6; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10204160 · 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE, MOTOR RACED UP TO 5000 RPM. ( LIKE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGING. HAD TO GO TO NEUTRAL PUMP THE ACCELERATOR TO BRING RPM DOWN. IN A PARKING LOT WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE IT PUSHED ME 5 FEET BEFORE I COULD GET IT UNDER CONTROL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208094 · 2007-11-06 (November 6, 2007)
FALSE ACCELERATION OF 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. ON OCT. 9TH, MY WIFE AND I AND TWO FRIENDS (FROM PA AND DE) WERE IN VEHICLE HEADED FOR DINNER. CRANKED VEHICLE AFTER SETTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 22 HOURS. ENGINE REVVED UP TO AN ESTIMATED 4000 RPM CREATED LOUD RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATED VEHICLE. I WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO LOOK AT TACHOMETER. TURNED SWITCH KEY OFF. MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO START ENGINE. FINALLY REMOVED KEY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 SECONDS, CAR STARTED AND SEEMED NORMAL. PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED, HOWEVER MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE VEHIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478155 · 2012-10-01 (October 1, 2012)
THE LOWER RETAINER SLIPPED OUT (RETAINER TABS ARE CRACKED)OF THE COLUMN DISCONNECTING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT CONTROL DIRECTION OF AUTOMOBILE - WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT AN EVENT. THE NEW ASSEMBLY 'FORD PART NUMBER 7W1Z-3C529-A' LOOKS TO BE MADE AS THE ONE CURRENTLY IN MY AUTOMOBILE. THIS WILL ALLOW THE SAME SCENARIO TO HAPPEN AGAIN! I MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY THE NEXT TIME! I HOPE THE REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY ?FORD PART NUMBER 7W1Z-3C529-B? CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT SAFETY. PLEASE CORRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10512484 · 2013-05-17 (May 17, 2013)
VEHICLE WAS COMING OFF OF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP DOING AROUND 40-45 MPH AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS TURN THE DRIVER LOST HIS CONTROL OF HIS STEERING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOUND THAT A STERRING COLUMN SHAFT WICH IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC RETAINER AND CONSIST OF 4 CLIPS, 2 OF THE CLIPS WERE BROKEN CAUSING THE COLUMN SHAFT TO SLIDE APART AND HAVE LOSS OF STEERING. SO FAR THE ONLY FIX FROM FORD IS TO SELL YOU A NEW STERRING COLUMN 7W1Z-3C529-A THIS PART…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,659 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234065 · 2008-07-12 (July 12, 2008)
AVIS RENTAL CAR (CAR # 5102064) FROM DENVER INT'L AIRPORT. (CAR REGISTERED # AYH296 OK) INCIDENT LOCATION: LAKEWOOD, CO 80401. PARKING LOT OF PRIVATE OFFICE. I COINCIDENTLY BACKED OUT OF PARKING SLOT AS OFFICE WORKER BACKED OUT OF HERS. REAR BUMPERS TAPPED--NON-EVENT. ON SHIFT (AUTO. TRANSMISSION) INTO DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY, THE CAR ROCKETED UNEXPECTEDLY SEEMINGLY AT FULL-THROTTLE, TIRES SCREECHING. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS. (5 YARDS BETWEEN ACCELERATING AND BREAKING TIRE MARKS.) IN THOSE 5 YARDS THE RENTAL CAR STRUCK THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341870 · 2010-07-07 (July 7, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. AFTER DRIVING IN REVERSE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. ONE PERSON WAS REPORTED INJURED. SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247069 · 2008-10-28 (October 28, 2008)
2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS HAD AN ELECTRICAL OUTAGE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID WOULD NOT OPEN USING THE REMOTE CONTROL OR BY PUSHING THE BUTTON. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,992 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575520 · 2014-03-29 (March 29, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING UP A SHORT MODERATE GRADE, THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE BATTERY (NEARLY NEW) WAS FINE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED WITH ICONS LIT. THE STEERING WAS AFFECTED AND THE CAR DRIFTED TO A STOP ON A LEVEL SURFACE. I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RESTARTING THE CAR ON THE FIRST TRY AND THIS INCIDENT HAS NOT RECURRED. I DID NOT MAKE NOTE OF WHAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE, AS I WAS MORE INTERESTED IN RESTARTING THE CAR. I DO HAVE A RATHER HEAVY KEY SET (HEAVIER THAN MOST). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,587 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643094 · 2014-10-07 (October 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING EVEN THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWO TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE A PROBLEM. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326128 · 2020-05-27 (May 27, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND WAS HANGING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,824.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,824 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326128 at NHTSA ↗