Summary
The Mercury Grand Marquis has 10 recalls spanning 1987 through 2011, with the most serious recent issue being a steering column lower bearing that can separate on 2005-2011 models, causing a sudden and complete loss of steering control. A separate 2005 model year issue involves the steering column intermediate shaft corroding in heavy road salt regions, which can cause the joint to stiffen or seize and resist driver input.
Also on 2005 models, the positive battery cable can chafe against a chassis bolt, wear through its insulation, and short against the frame, causing heat buildup or fire under the hood or at other points along the vehicle. The 2003-2005 model years share a lighting control module that can fail and cut out the headlights entirely, reducing visibility at night or in poor conditions. On 2007 models, the windshield adhesive bonding can be insufficient, meaning the glass may not stay in place in a crash. Going back to the 2000 model year, the wiper control module can lack enough electrical capacity to push the blades through snow, ice, or debris, leaving the wipers inoperative in the conditions where they are needed most.
The 1998 model year has a separate concern with the included jacking instructions: following them as printed can place the jack on a frame weld rather than a solid lift point, causing the jack to collapse and the vehicle to drop unexpectedly. On 1995 models, rear outboard seatbelt anchor rivets can fracture under load in a crash, releasing the belt anchor from the pillar structure. The 1991 model year has an automatic transmission park cam that can fail to engage park or require excessive force to disengage it, raising the risk of an unintended rollaway. On 1987 models equipped with the 5-liter fuel-injected engine, the fuel rail near the number 5 injector can be bent at the injector cup, allowing fuel to leak and creating a fire risk in the engine bay.
