Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
82,000 miles · May 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEquipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR CONDITIONER EMITTED A POWDERY SUBSTANCE. WORLDWIDE FORD IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR CONDITIONER EMITTED A POWDERY SUBSTANCE. WORLDWIDE FORD IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #11093170
66,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE OVERDRIVE TO ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE OVERDRIVE TO ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 83V028000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 83V017000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667662
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Electrical System
THE ENGINE DIES WHENEVER IT GETS HOT (NOT OVERHEAT), WHEN IT COOLS DOWN IT STARTS. DURING WARM MONTHS APRIL-SEPT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS. IN THE WINTER, IT HAPPENS IF THE CAR SITS AT IDLE FOR 15-20 MINUTES. USUALLY IT HAPPENS ONE OF TWO WAYS. 1. PULL CAR UP TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT DIES. 2. PARK…
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE DIES WHENEVER IT GETS HOT (NOT OVERHEAT), WHEN IT COOLS DOWN IT STARTS. DURING WARM MONTHS APRIL-SEPT. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS. IN THE WINTER, IT HAPPENS IF THE CAR SITS AT IDLE FOR 15-20 MINUTES. USUALLY IT HAPPENS ONE OF TWO WAYS. 1. PULL CAR UP TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT DIES. 2. PARK CAR AND TURN OFF ENGINE AND THEN TRY TO RESTART WITHEN 5-10 MINUTES. DURING THIS PAST OCT-MAR IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE AND THAT WAS YESTERDAY, WHILE IT SAT AT AN IDLE DURING AN IM INSPECTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #742844
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2000
Power Train
I BROUGT THIS CAR AT AN AUCTION. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. STATED AND RAN A FEW TIMES AND NOW IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO. PLEASE HELP. THANK-YOU I HOPE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721584
Mileage unknown · May 12, 1999
Power Train
PARKING GEAR DOES NOT ENGAGE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 83V028000. *AK
THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE91125 · Brake Line Punctures
Opened Sep 11, 1991 · Closed Jan 15, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1983 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration