Problems · by component

2005 Mercury Grand Marquis electrical system problems

75 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis cite electrical system, 15% of all 488 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
75
15% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“NEITHER THE AIR CONDITIONER NOR THE CRUISE HAS WORKED SINCE 46,000 MILES. IT NEEDS A NEW AIR COMPRESSOR WHICH WOULD COST OVER $1,000 AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE PLASTERED ALL OVER THE INTERNET.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2021Electrical system, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11413400
“I PURCHASED A 05 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AND HAD ISSUES WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I SEEN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE BUT WHEN I CALLED THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID MY CAR WASN'T REGISTERED FOR A RECALL. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $135 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND LEAVE MY CAR FOR 24 HOURS. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO INFORM ME WHY MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. IF I'M TELLING THEM THAT I'M HAVING A PROBLEM THAT THEY CLEARLY KNOW ABOUT WHY ARE THEY CHARGING ME TO FIX IT?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11297779
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING, DOME LIGHT, AND ALL OTHER LIGHTING TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INVER GROVE FORD LINCOLN (800-730-1765, LOCATED AT 4725 S ROBERT TRAIL, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CHANGED ALL THE FUSES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED HASTINGS AUTOMOTIVE AT 651-437-4030 (LOCATED AT 3625 VERMILLION ST, HASTINGS, MN 55033) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lightingODI 11218903
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED FROM "AUTOMATIC" TO "ON". THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED, BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT UNLESS THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. LEON RILEY FORD IN BENTON, KY (99 MAIN ST.) WAS NOTIFIED AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT PAYMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11051167
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR FROM A DEALER (COURT STREET FORD, 558 WILLIAM R LATHAM SENIOR DR, BOURBONNAIS, IL 60914, (815) 939-9600) FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION FOR THE LOW BEAMS, HIGH BEAMS, AND DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT AS IF THE REMEDY FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE PART STILL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11021450

Showing 6 of 75 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

Electrical systemReported Nov 9, 2005NHTSA 05V518000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

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