What year Mercury Grand Marquis should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2006 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, well above the other model years.

Which Mercury Grand Marquis year is the best?

The 2011 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of 0 and only 9 total complaints reported to NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the Grand Marquis?

Electrical system issues are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 42% of the 865 total complaints, followed by engine issues at 17%.

Does the Mercury Grand Marquis have steering recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists two steering-related recall campaigns (13V385000 and 14V704000) covering the 2005-2011 model years for a defective intermediate steering shaft.

Are 2009 and 2010 Grand Marquis models reliable choices?

Both are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33, though 2009's rating is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.

Mercury Grand Marquis Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

The 2005 and 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and electrical and engine complaints dominating. The 2011 model is the best year with a complaint index of 0. NHTSA lists 865 total complaints and 6 recall campaigns across 2005-2011.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Best 2011

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 865
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 66
Fires reported: 11
Top problem area: Electrical System

Grand Marquis Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercury Grand Marquis problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	488	24	5	4	Electrical System	19	—
2006	Avoid	83	143	16	2	2	Engine	18	—
2007	Caution	50	96	6	0	3	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—
2008	Caution	67	79	11	1	3	Engine	18	—
2009	Good	17	26	3	1	2	Brakes	19	—
2010	Good	33	24	6	0	2	Electrical System	19	—
2011	Best	0	9	0	2	2	Electrical System	19	—

Grand Marquis years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Mercury Grand Marquis Index 100 · 488 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2005 Grand Marquis has the highest complaint index of the lineup at 100, driven mainly by electrical system problems, which made up 65% of complaints for the year at a median mileage of 78,000. Airbags and engine issues followed, including reports of unintended acceleration and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA recorded 24 crashes, 5 fires, and 21 injuries for this model year. Four recall campaigns apply, including a lighting control module recall and two steering shaft recalls shared with later years.

2005 electrical system problems →2005 airbags problems →2005 engine problems →

2006 Mercury Grand Marquis Index 83 · 143 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2006 Grand Marquis ranks second worst with a complaint index of 83. Engine complaints led the year at 31% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 46,596, and owners also reported airbag non-deployment and brake pedal problems including unintended lunging. NHTSA logged 16 crashes, 2 fires, and 9 injuries for this year. Two recall campaigns cover steering shaft components, carried over from the same defect addressed in the 2005 model.

2006 engine problems →2006 airbags problems →2006 seat belts problems →

Most common Mercury Grand Marquis problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System361 (42%)
Engine145 (17%)
Airbags117 (14%)
Steering76 (9%)
Seat Belts67 (8%)
Brakes58 (7%)
Structure & Body58 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires49 (6%)
Fuel System29 (3%)
Other28 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Mercury Grand Marquis should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2006 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, well above the other model years.
Which Mercury Grand Marquis year is the best?: The 2011 model year is rated Best, with a complaint index of 0 and only 9 total complaints reported to NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the Grand Marquis?: Electrical system issues are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 42% of the 865 total complaints, followed by engine issues at 17%.
Does the Mercury Grand Marquis have steering recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists two steering-related recall campaigns (13V385000 and 14V704000) covering the 2005-2011 model years for a defective intermediate steering shaft.
Are 2009 and 2010 Grand Marquis models reliable choices?: Both are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33, though 2009's rating is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.