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: 3 of 43 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.
Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports16 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
43 reports
133,000 miles · Aug 10, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
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, …
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #10199072
48,900 miles · May 21, 2005
Seat Belts
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.
NHTSA ODI #10121805
131,200 miles · Mar 12, 2003
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10011449
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Electrical System
FUSE LINKS FAILED TO OPEN CAUSING WIRES TO BURN I AM A E.T..
NHTSA ODI #733569
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
WIRING CABLE HARNESS FUSE LINKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #733568
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO FAILED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #550692
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1999
Power Train
CABLE THAT RUNS FROM TRANSMISSION TO THROTTLE CAME LOOSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851092
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE OIL PAN HAS RUSTED OUT WITHIN 100,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847113
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE PARKED FOR SOMETIME. STARTED VEHICLE & WAS DRIVING WHEN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS INSIDE VEHICLE. HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. STOPPED & LIFTED HOOD. FLAMES SHUT OUT. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT. INDCATION OF ELECTRICAL WIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836326
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION DURING DAMP OR RAINY WEATHER. MJS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
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
2
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
PE87055 · Fires
Opened Sep 9, 1987 · Closed Mar 10, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: MANUFACTURER HAS BEENCONTACTED. SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB ARTICLE NO.87-18-13, PROVIDES PROCEDURESFOR REWORKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LINE COUPLING TO THE RADIATOR,WHERE FLUID LEAKS CAN ORIGINATE. THE TSB STATES ... THE QUICK DISCONNECTFITTING SHOULD NOT BE REUSED BECAUSE IT MAY NOT RESEAL PROPERLY AND CANRESULT IN REPEAT REPAIR.VEHICLE POPULATION1985 19861987 FORD 187,300115,600 120,300 MERCURY151,000101,700 122,800 TOT=804,700THE ONE REPORTED INJURY ALLEDGES EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION DUE TO SMOKEAND SOOT. THE FIRES ARE GENERALLY CONFINED TO UNDER THE HOOD AND PRECEDEDBY LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE VEHICLE.FORD REPORTED NO LAWSUITS, NO WARRANTY CLAIMS, AND ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLYONE REPORT SINCE OPENING THIS P.E.THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTSINDICATES THAT A DEFECT TREND DOES NOT EXIST AT THIS TIME.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THIS P.E.===
1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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