1997 Mercury MARQUIS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
63,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 42 complaints (26.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 21 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 | 5 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 1; 2002: 5; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 9; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10093947 · 2004-10-11 (October 11, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, CAR BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE ABILITY TO STOP AND THERBY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND BRAKE FLUID WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128324 · 2005-07-11 (July 11, 2005)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO TAKE OUT OF PARK. I THEN REFERED TO THE VEHICLE MANUAL AND FOUND OUT THAT IF THIS HAPPENS THEN I SHOULD CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THEY WERE OUT SO I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS BLOWN. I REPLACED IT AND THE BRAKES, LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSION WORKED. I DROVE HOME (16 MILES) AND PARKED THE CAR. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WE PUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 139,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106908 · 2005-01-06 (January 6, 2005)
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS WITH ELECTRONIC LIGHTS. THEY ARE ALL CONTROLLED WITH A PROCESSOR CALLED AN LCM FOR LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. IT IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CHEAPER AUTOMATIC DIMMER ON THE DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT LAST SUMMER, AND THE LENSES TURNED YELLOW. I TRIED NEW BULBS, THAT DID NOT WORK. I CHECKED FUSES AND RELAYS AND ALL WERE FINE. I REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN, AND THAT DID NOT WORK. FINALLY THIS FALL I CALLED FORDS TECHNICAL LINE TO SEE IF THERE …
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10294479 · 2009-12-04 (December 4, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DRIVER LOSS STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN UTILITY POLE, BOULDER AND FENCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 869522 · 2000-09-05 (September 5, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.*AK THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS BUT STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 869522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190386 · 2007-05-10 (May 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIPE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE FENDER WHERE FUEL IS APPLIED HAS RUSTED OUT. THE FAILURE IS CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT HAS FOUND LARGE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT NEEDED A GAS FILLER PIPE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT PART IS NO LONGER PRODUCED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190386 at NHTSA ↗