Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Owners filed 488 complaints about the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis with NHTSA between Apr 2005 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (293).

Complaints
488
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting293
  2. Electrical system75
  3. Air bags67
  4. Vehicle speed control39
  5. Seat belts36
  6. Steering20
  7. Structure11
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  9. Engine and engine cooling9
  10. Visibility8
  11. Tires8
  12. Service brakes7
  13. Power train5
  14. Engine5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200513
200615
200710
20089
200920
201035
201136
201260
201358
201465
201537
201625
201726
201821
201918
20207
20212
20227
20238
20245
20259
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

293 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the front headlights flickered on and off before turning off. The failure had occurred while the contact was driving at night. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of scorch marks on the LCM, and the relay switch had burn marks. The contact stated that while attempting to turn off the front headlights manually, the front headlights remained illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure by phone. The contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 144,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11764784

Electrical system

75 reports4 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“This is a serious safety hazard that could result in death or injury. If I hadn’t escaped in time, I would have been killed. I am urging the NHTSA to investigate this defect and take immediate action to remove these vehicles from the road. Others may not be as lucky. This issue is life-threatening, especially because the fire started while the vehicle was in motion. These vehicles must be recalled and removed from use before more people are injured or killed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11650045

Air bags

67 reports5 crashes
“my brother got me this vehicle five yrs ago, and ever since then the air bag light has been on,i have no idea of why it is on, i don't know if it is the fuse, i don't know if there is even a air bag is in the vehicle my brother got the vehicle up in vermont, i have a pending cl# [XXX] on another issue, thank you so much, deeply appreciated, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2025Air bagsODI 11690123

Vehicle speed control

39 reports13 crashes3 fires
“On [XXX] I was driving this recently purchased Grand marquis . On [XXX] here in San Antonio around ten at night I hit the brakes and something under the hood compartment blew up and it cocked the car . I was trapped inside and when I finally was able to get my seatbelt released I had to break the window with my head . The previous week I reached out to ford and they told me they would address the issue and that they would call me back and that was to no avail. i reached out to ford and at first I was told I would be helped and then a man came on the phone yelling that my vehicle . I need help with resol this issue . My car is totaled and I’m hurting and it’s because of a car with recalls that are a fire haz and dangerous to be put on the road Thank you and God Bless . was not under any recalls The car had been parked for over ten years beca when the orig owner bought it it had issues with the cruise control and the brakes and the engine and the lights . I investigated about and hazards the car was demonstrating and upon further consideration my instinct told me this car was defected and was a big problem waiting to happen”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2024Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11624137

Seat belts

36 reports
“Seat belt does not fully clip in to buckle and tends to come undone while in operation of motor vehicle furthermore requires occupant to wiggle buckle back and forth to attempt to get a good connection between the two, belt and buckle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2025Seat beltsODI 11670422

Steering

20 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended causing the contact to have driven straight instead of turning. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, as the steering column was replaced twice. The contact mention the failure has a occurred on two different occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026SteeringODI 11736525
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.