IllustrationDOWN SHIFT PROGRAM EXHIBITS A SEVERE BRAKING PULSE THAT OCCURS AT APPROXIMATELY 34MPH WHENEVER THE VEHICLE COAST WITH THE GAS PEDAL RELEASED, , CAUSING THE DRIVE WHEEL TO SLIP AT THE TIRE TREADS, ON SNOWY, ICY, GRASSY, OR GRAVEL SURFACE.
1997 Mercury Marquis
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Marquis years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
225–50K
750–75K
575–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
21 reports with mileage · 32 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.
5 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reportsUNINTENDED TRANSMISSION BRAKING CONCENTRATED IN THE FRONT WHEEL, COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS FRONT-WHEEL-DRIVE STEERING LOSS ACCIDENT.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS WANDERING. WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE HIT A GUARD RAIL, AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Official recalls
105V086000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 14, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL, THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAY CHAFE DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN IT AND A FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY DEVELOP A "SPONGY" FEEL AND DROPS OF BRAKE FLUID MAY BE OBSERVED BENEATH THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME BRAKE PERFORMANCE MAY BE COMPROMISED AND STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE EXTENDED WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB. IF CONTACT IS EVIDENT, BUT NO ABRASION OR LEAKS EXIST, THE BRAKE TUBE WILL BE REPOSITIONED TO PRECLUDE FURTHER CONTACT AND POTENTIAL ABRASION. IF INDICATION OF ABRASION OR A LEAK IS EVIDENT, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE. THIS CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.