Mercury MARAUDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
52,345 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 69 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 87 complaints (26.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 12.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.3% |
| 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 | 23 |
| Tires | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Exterior Lighting: 23; Tires: 9; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 6; Suspension: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Steering: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 12; 2004: 11; 2005: 7; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2009: 12; 2010: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 6; 2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10013546 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH MERCURY 2003 MARAUDER PURCHASED -2/08/03 WOULD LIKE TO FAX CURRENT WARRANTY REPAIR ORDER. LEAKS AROUND LENS COVER, WIPER BLADES REPLACED, REAR LEFT SPEAKER VIBRATES, BRAKE & BRAKE PEDAL SQUEAKING, SPOT ON REAR WINDOW, NEW WINDOW ORDERED, OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON, CAR STALLED HAD TO BE RETURNED, VALVE BODY AND WIRING REPLACED IN TRANSMISSION, SPOT ON DRIVER'S LEATHER SEAT COVER, NEW COVER HAS BEEN ORDERED. *NLM *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014688 · 2003-03-28 (March 28, 2003)
THE FIREWALL PLASTIC CASE WAS TO LOW TO THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL. WHICH MADE IT HARD TO REACH THE PEDAL IN TIME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019117 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
ENGINE CUTS OUT AROUND TURNS; MISALIGNMENT, VEHICLE PULLS DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT; LOW HANGING PANEL ON DRIVER'S SIDE INTERFERES WITH THROTTLE AND BREAK OPERATIONS; BURNING ODOR EMITTING FORM ENGINE COMPARTMENT; FLUID LEAKING FROM REAR AXLE; SMOKE EMITTING FORM ENGINE COMPARTMENT; LACK OF ACCELERATION BETWEEN 2000-4000 RPM; ENGINE STALLS WHILE IDLING; NOISY CLICKING, CLUNKING, AND GRINDING SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT AXLE; POOR ACCELERATION BETWEEN 20-40 MPH; FRONT TIRES RAPIDLY WEARING UNEVENLY; SQUEAKING FROM FRONT END; LOOSE RIGHT FRONT EXTERI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032793 · 2003-08-14 (August 14, 2003)
THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED IN JUNE 2003 HAS HAD 6 ALIGNMENTS (THE FIRST AT ABOUT 500 MILES) AND THE STEERING RACK REPLACED ALL BEFORE 3100 MILES BECAUSE OF A CONSTANT PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT I AM NO LONGER ENTITLED TO A "COURTESY" ALIGNMENT. RF TOE IN HAS DRIFTED .8 DEGREES IN 1 WEEK'S TIME AND LF CAMBER 1.3 IN SAME TIME. WILL BE ENTERING LEMON LAW PROCEEDINGS. ADDITIONALLY THE FIT AND FINISH HAS LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED, HAVE HAD REAR "PACKAGE" CARRIER, FR HEAD LIGHT, WINDOW MOLDINGS, AIRBAG COVERS AND OTHER TRIM ITEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070258 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED AND FUELED AGAINST CUSTOMER?S REPEATED REQUESTS. SIGNIFICANT (ADDITIONAL) CLEAR COAT ABRASION DAMAGE TO PAINTED BODY SURFACES AND TRIM. VEHICLE?S ENGINE KNOCKED FOR THE DURATION OF THE TANK, SUGGESTING THAT IT WAS FUELED WITH REGULAR, NOT PREMIUM FUEL THE VEHICLES FUEL GAUGE CLEARLY READS, PREMIUM FUEL ONLY. IMMEDIATE MECHANICAL FAILURES: WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THREE SYSTEM FAILURES. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHING. PO…
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067164 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. TRANSMISSION WENT INTO OVER DRIVE, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671930 · 2015-01-12 (January 12, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT REPLACED UNKNOWN WIRING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT, BUT THE LIGHT STILL REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017190 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
CONSUMER FELT THE FUEL TANK WAS DESIGNED POORLY AND THE SHARP EDGES THAT WENT AROUND FUEL THE TANK WAS VERY DANGEROUS. *NLM. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A KIT AT HIS OWN EXPENSE TO COVER UP THE SHARP EDGES OF THE GAS TANK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017190 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
2003: 0; 2004: 0