NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 360 owner complaints for the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (214) and steering (69). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Grand Marquis model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 275 |
| 1997 | 372 |
| 1998 | 177 |
| 1999 | 197 |
| 2000 | 187 |
| 2001 | 183 |
| 2002 | 106 |
| 2003 | 395 |
| 2004 | 360 |
| 2005 | 488 |
| 2006 | 143 |
| 2007 | 96 |
| 2008 | 80 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2011 | 9 |
“The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a local Police Officer stopped the vehicle and made the contact aware that both taillights were inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
“The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose and made an abnormal sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering shaft was corroded, and the bearing had collapsed. The contact was informed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”
“The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the key fob became inoperable. The contact was not able to start the vehicle with the security warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Marquis Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 360 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (214), steering (69), electrical system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).