Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
625–50K
450–75K
075–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
23 reports with mileage · 10 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 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 reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
6,000 miles · Nov 10, 2004
Steering
AFTER PARKING THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I GOT BACK IN AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULDN'T TAKE THE KEY. IT WOULDNT TURN FORWARD OR BACKWARD JUST WOULD FIT IN THE KEYHOLE. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE FIXED AFTER I HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE CAR (2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) WAS 6 MONTHS OLD WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP SA…
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AFTER PARKING THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I GOT BACK IN AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULDN'T TAKE THE KEY. IT WOULDNT TURN FORWARD OR BACKWARD JUST WOULD FIT IN THE KEYHOLE. STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE FIXED AFTER I HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE CAR (2003 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) WAS 6 MONTHS OLD WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE MERCURY SABLES BUT NOT THE MARQUIS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10098636
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2004
Structure
UPON GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER ALMOST LOST AN EYE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DOOR EDGES WERE VERY SHARP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089572
22,000 miles · May 10, 2004
Electrical System
WE BOUGHT A USED 2003 MERCURY GR. MARQUIS,LS, IN SEP'T. 2003. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER, MACE LINCOLN MERCURY, 629 OHIO ST. TERRE HAUTE, IN. 47807, WORKED ON THE CAR 8 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CONTACTED THE MERCURY COMPLAINT LINE TWICE. SCOTT SHEPARD, THE SERVICE MANAGER REQUESTED A FIELD ENGINEER…
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WE BOUGHT A USED 2003 MERCURY GR. MARQUIS,LS, IN SEP'T. 2003. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER, MACE LINCOLN MERCURY, 629 OHIO ST. TERRE HAUTE, IN. 47807, WORKED ON THE CAR 8 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CONTACTED THE MERCURY COMPLAINT LINE TWICE. SCOTT SHEPARD, THE SERVICE MANAGER REQUESTED A FIELD ENGINEER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THEY REFUSED TO SEND ONE, BUT TOLD HIM TO INSTALL A NEW COMPUTER, WHICH HE DID ON MARCH 26, 2004. THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN APRIL 23. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AT 16800 EXECUTIVE PLAZA DR. POB 6248, DEARBORN, MI. 48126 APRIL 27, 2004, WITHOUT RECEIVING A RESPONSE. BUT THE MACE SERVICE MANAGER SCOTT SHEPARD, SAID THEY CONTACTED HIM TO PERFORM ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC. MACE HAS HAD THE CAR FOR FURTHER WORK FROM MAY 4, UNTIL TODAY MAY 10, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR IT. NOW, THE MR. SHEPARD CALLS ME AND SAYS, HE JUST LEARNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE THAT ALL 2003 GR. MARQUIS WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. THEY HAVE PROMISED TO SEND A FIELD ENGINEER. THE WARRANTY FOR THE CAR IS FOR 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. WE HAVE 27,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE 8 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON 10 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CANNOT GET THE GENERAL MANAGER, TERRY MACE TO HELP ME, NOR WILL THE MANUFACTURER ADDRESS ME DIRECTLY. I WANT ANOTHER [COMPARABLE] CAR OR MY MONEY BACK. I PAID $17,700 CASH FOR THE CAR. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10072345
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063414
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2003
Structure
BACK FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER SAYS THAT FRAME IS TEARING FROM VEHICLE STRUCTURE. CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH DEALER. *AK *TS
NHTSA ODI #10034305
6,797 miles · Sep 5, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE LOCATED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS WOULD CAUSE A MISAPPLICATION TO THE WRONG PEDAL WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING, AT THE SAME TIME. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10038260
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2003
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING 50-80MPH STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHIMMY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034117
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES "DUE TO FUMES THAT WERE IN VEHICLE CONSUMER FAINTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10024959
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10020145
1,480 miles · Apr 21, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED. THE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *NLM SUSPECTED THE BRAKE/GAS PEDAL RAISED TO THE SAME LEVEL WHEN SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED, POSSIBLE DEPRESSING BRAKE AND GAS AT THE SAME TIME. (CALIFORNIAHIGHWAY PATROL) *SCC
NHTSA ODI #10017282
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 Marquis Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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