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1998 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis is engine and cooling, typically around 102,281 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Grand Marquis model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
143
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
164
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

Ball joint 15Headlights 15Stalling 10Overheating 6Grinding brakes 5Pulling 5

Recalls 5

Vehicle speed control: cruise controlReported February 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Risk
As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizerReported July 18, 2000 · 875,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles have jacking instructions which, if followed, could cause the vehicle operator to place the jack on a frame weld when attempting to raise a rear wheel. If the vehicle is jacked up with the jack placed on the frame weld and if the vehicle is free to roll (wheels not blocked or chocked), the jack could yield and the vehicle may drop suddenly.
Risk
If this occurs and any portion of the operator's body is under the vehicle, the potential for personal injury exists.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with a revised jack instruction and stowage card and jack warning label, as well as a supplement to the owner guide.

Recall number 00V200000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported June 12, 2000 · 1,167 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket driver's seat belt assemblies that were sold by ford parts departments from january 1, through june 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle safety systems, inc. (trw) manufactured from june 1, 1998 through may 21, 2000. Some of these seat belt assemblies may have been installed as service replacement equipment on the vehicles involved in the recall.
Risk
In the event of a collision, these seat belts may not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from january 1 through june 13, 2000.

Recall number 00V157001 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported June 12, 2000 · 1,129 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket front passenger side seat belt assemblies that were sold by ford parts departments from january 1, through june 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle safety systems, inc. (trw) manufactured from june 1, 1998 through may 21, 2000. Some of these seat belt assemblies may have been installed as service replacement equipment on the vehicles involved in the recall.
Risk
In the event of a collision, these seat belts may not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from january 1 through june 13, 2000.

Recall number 00V157002 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Fuel-fed firesOpened August 22, 2002, closed December 4, 2002

The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this petition.after reviewing the petition and its supporting materials, as well as information furnished by ford and gm, and information within the agency's possession from previous investigations and other related actions,the federal safety agency has concluded that futher investigation concerning post-crash fires in the subject vehicles is not likely to lead to a decision that the vehicles contain a safety defect.

DP02007

Post rear end collision firesOpened November 27, 2001, closed October 3, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SQ01014

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis 164

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 164 bulletins for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

1998 Mercury Grand Marquis fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylRWD152218

What 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 21, 2021 · Steering · 241,000 miles · KY

When driving at highway speeds car feels like it is swaying back and forth.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Suspension · 165,400 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while examining his vehicle at his residence, he noticed the front ball joints were defective. The vehicle taken to expressway ford of mount vernon (3800 highway 62 e, mount vernon, in 47620) on may 30 2020, where the vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the shocks needed to be replaced. The front shocks were replaced however, several months later the driver's side shock was leaking fluid. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,400.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Fuel system · 74,900 miles · FL

Cracked air intake manifold allowing it to over heat and messing up mass air flow sensor

Filed Aug 23, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 109,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. While driving various speeds, the headlights and instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2018 · Tires · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis equipped with firestone fr380 tires, size: p225/60r16. The contact stated that the tires had premature blisters and tread deterioration. The tire repair facility (firestone complete auto care, 4401 n first ave, evansville, in 47710, (812) 618-3542) diagnosed that the tires needed to be replaced. The tire manufacturer indicated that a similar tire model had been recalled, but not this particular model. The manufacturer recommended that the tires be inspected by an authorized firestone complete auto care facility. The tire and vehicle failure mileage and VIN were not available.

Filed Nov 25, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 165,784 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that the interior and exterior lighting operated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,784.

Filed May 31, 2016 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. While driving various speeds, the engine misfired and hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the plastic intake manifold was cracked, which caused anti freeze to leak out and damage the engine coils. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Apr 28, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 213,760 miles · IL · crash

Autozone- valucraft brand- ball joints part number vfa2101 I recently had my ball joints replaced and I had a premature failure of the ball joint fastening hardware while driving down the city road in a straight line at 45 MPH. It caused thousands of dollars of damage and it also almost cause me great injury. I suspect autozone is using low grade nuts cause the nut that was on the ball joint sheared off causing me to bend a control arm, crack my frame, blow a tire, all while barely missing a telephone pole. Had I been going down the highway at the posted speed limit I could have flipped my car, got pulled under a semi, cross the median into oncoming traffic and so on. I would like for an investigation to be started on their poor engineering choices and a recall to be started. Its just not for the safety of me but for the safety of other people. I do have all damage pictures and pictures of the failure point. I have pictures of the nut in question compared to another competitors brand and there is a noticeable size difference and hardness difference. The ball joints were replaced 9/26/2015 and failed on 4/25/2016. Autozone part number vfa2101. My belief is the nut is a lower grade when it should be a grade 8 nut. I say thousands of dollars because the auto body shops around me said they will not repair the frame because its a liability and would recommend a new frame to be put under the vehicle essentially totaling my car out causing me to have to spend thousands to replace my vehicle.

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Lights · 86,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 722,530 miles · TX

Low/high beam lights inoperative in park or drive, bulbs & wiring checks good, 25 amp fuse was blown, but replaced fuse caused no change.

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Questions about the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

Is the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Owners have filed 143 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1.5 times a typical Grand Marquis model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?

Engine and cooling, with 29 complaints, typically around 102,281 miles. Next is steering (17).

How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have?

5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, equipment and seat belts.

What year does the Mercury Grand Marquis have bad engine?

The Mercury Grand Marquis model years with the most engine complaints are 1997 (126 complaints), 1996 (86 complaints) and 1999 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.

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