Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
825–50K
750–75K
575–100K
8100–150K
1150K+
46 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
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.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
60 reports
91,800 miles · Aug 17, 2009
Power Train
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 IS LISTED FOR THE 2003 FORD CROWN VIC'S AND LINCOLN'S BUT NOT THE MERCURY'S??? I HAVE AN 03 MERCURY MARAUDER THAT HAS THE SAME REAREND AS THE OTHERS LIST IN THIS RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT LISTED. I JUST HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT IS LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN AND HAD TO SPEND $1100 TO HAVE MY AXL…
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NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 IS LISTED FOR THE 2003 FORD CROWN VIC'S AND LINCOLN'S BUT NOT THE MERCURY'S??? I HAVE AN 03 MERCURY MARAUDER THAT HAS THE SAME REAREND AS THE OTHERS LIST IN THIS RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT LISTED. I JUST HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT IS LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN AND HAD TO SPEND $1100 TO HAVE MY AXLES, BEARINGS, CARRIER AND WHAT EVER ELSE IS INCLUDED IN THE REBUILD. IS THERE A REASON THAT FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS THE SAME CAR WHICH THEY ARE!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280599
45,800 miles · Apr 3, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED WHEN STUDDED SNOW TIRES WERE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SIGNIFY THAT IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,800.
NHTSA ODI #10264073
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2009
Tires
THE TIRES FOR MY SIX YEAR OLD CAR ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR MOST OF THE YEAR, EVERY YEAR!!! THE LAST TIME THEY CAME OFF BACK ORDER IT ONLY LASTED FOR FOUR DAYS!!! THIS IS THE ONLY BRAND THAT COMES IN MY STOCK REAR SIZE SO YOU CAN SEE MY FRUSTRATION. MY CAR IS ALMOST NOT DRIVABLE AND NOT SAFE BECAUSE OF THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258617
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2009
Tires
BF GOODRICH IS NOT MAKING THE SPECIFIC TIRE SIZE FOR OUR AUTOS, 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER SIZE OF 245/55/18 AND THERE IS NO OTHER TIRE MAKER THAT HAS THIS SIZE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258573
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2009
Tires
REAR TIRES FOR 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER I HAVE 65,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR TIRES FOR THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME I CANNOT FIND THE TIRES ANYWHERE, NOT EVEN BFG THEY ARE ALWAYS ON BACKORDER. THE LAST TIME IT TOOK 5 MONTHS SEARCHING FOR THESE TIRES ONE HERE AND ONE THERE. NO OTHER PRODUCTION VEHICLE USES THESE…
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REAR TIRES FOR 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER I HAVE 65,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR TIRES FOR THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME I CANNOT FIND THE TIRES ANYWHERE, NOT EVEN BFG THEY ARE ALWAYS ON BACKORDER. THE LAST TIME IT TOOK 5 MONTHS SEARCHING FOR THESE TIRES ONE HERE AND ONE THERE. NO OTHER PRODUCTION VEHICLE USES THESE TIRES. IT IS FRUSTRATING WORRYING ABOUT TIRE FAILURE ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU KNOW IF IT DOES FAIL YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR UNLESS YOU GET UNMATCHED TIRES. HELP!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258558
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2009
Tires
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. THE VEHICLE OEM REAR TIRES MANUFACTURED BY BF GOODRICH ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. BFG IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES THIS SIZE TIRE(245/15/18) THIS TIRE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECOMMENDS FOR THIS CAR AND THE USE OF ANOTHER SIZE COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A HANDLING P…
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I AM AN OWNER OF A 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. THE VEHICLE OEM REAR TIRES MANUFACTURED BY BF GOODRICH ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. BFG IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES THIS SIZE TIRE(245/15/18) THIS TIRE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECOMMENDS FOR THIS CAR AND THE USE OF ANOTHER SIZE COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A HANDLING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THESE TIRES HAVE BEEN ON BACK-ORDER FOR A YEAR AND WITH OVER 11,000 MARAUDERS ON THE ROAD, THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258531
77,141 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Power TrainSuspension
BOTH REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THIS: ARTICLE NO. 03-5-5 AXLE-REARAXLE SHAFT AND/OR AXLE BEARING PREMATURE WEAR-VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 1/1/2003. MY '03 MERCURY MARAUDER WAS BUILT IN AUG. '02. BOTH AXLES, BEARINGS AND SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $6…
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BOTH REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS WERE DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THIS: ARTICLE NO. 03-5-5 AXLE-REARAXLE SHAFT AND/OR AXLE BEARING PREMATURE WEAR-VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 1/1/2003. MY '03 MERCURY MARAUDER WAS BUILT IN AUG. '02. BOTH AXLES, BEARINGS AND SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $647.55. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214079
58,200 miles · Dec 30, 2007
Equipment
RADIO - FM STOPPED WORKING; AM CONTINUES WITHOUT PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS 4 & 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 58,200 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213211
99,250 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Suspension
REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL FAILED ON 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. DEALER INSPECTION WITHIN 7-10 DAYS OF FAILURE, NO NOTIFICATION OF RECALL ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA NHTSA: 04V328000 FOR MARAUDER WHICH MAY USE THE SAME REAR END COMPONENTS. VEHICLE DISABLED AT A NEIGHBORHOOD GAS STATION AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. …
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REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL FAILED ON 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER. DEALER INSPECTION WITHIN 7-10 DAYS OF FAILURE, NO NOTIFICATION OF RECALL ON 2003 CROWN VICTORIA NHTSA: 04V328000 FOR MARAUDER WHICH MAY USE THE SAME REAR END COMPONENTS. VEHICLE DISABLED AT A NEIGHBORHOOD GAS STATION AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209501
50,500 miles · Feb 13, 2007
Steering
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AT INTERSECTION, CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER, BUILT IN 06/2002, HAS MFR. KNOWN DEFECT IN STEERING SYSTEM DUE TO STICKING VAPS VALVE ON STEERING RACK. THIS UNIT WAS NEVER RECALLED, REPAIRED AND OWNERS NOT NOTIFIED OF POSSIBLE SAFE…
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WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AT INTERSECTION, CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND I ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2003 MERCURY MARAUDER, BUILT IN 06/2002, HAS MFR. KNOWN DEFECT IN STEERING SYSTEM DUE TO STICKING VAPS VALVE ON STEERING RACK. THIS UNIT WAS NEVER RECALLED, REPAIRED AND OWNERS NOT NOTIFIED OF POSSIBLE SAFETY DEFECT WITH STEERING SYSTEM. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM DUE TO MANY FAILURES OF THIS CAR LINE BUILT BEFORE 12/2002. VEH. HAS 50K MILES. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT OR KILLED FIRST? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182452
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Mercury Marauder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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