1987 Mercury GRAND MARQUIS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
131,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Electrical System:Wiring: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 17; 2000: 3; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011449 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 131,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121805 · 2005-05-21 (May 21, 2005)
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKEL. A SPRING ON THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER LATCHES CORRECTLY. THE BUCKEL WILL HOLD IF IT IS SHAKEN BUT RELEASES EASILY. THIS IS THE SECOND 1987 GRAND MARQUIS THAT I HAVE OWENED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. I REPLACED THEM WITH PARTS FROM A SALVAGE YARD. FORD WANTED $250.00 FOR THE BUCKEL.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199072 · 2007-08-10 (August 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPROACHING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND MODULAR. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW IT IS HESITATES AND JERKS. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DRIVES NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 09/06/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 133,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480273 · 1995-01-28 (January 28, 1995)
HOLE IN ALUMINUM WHEEL CAST, CAUSING LOSS OF AIR IN TIRES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481680 · 1995-02-18 (February 18, 1995)
REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS SPLIT, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO FAIL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489317 · 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501581 · 1996-02-10 (February 10, 1996)
FUTURA TIRE BLEW OUT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504159 · 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504159 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V012000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 1987-02-09 (February 9, 1987)
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V131000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 1987-08-17 (August 17, 1987)
FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Consequence: BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V028000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 1988-03-08 (March 8, 1988)
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Consequence: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗