Research · Large Cars

2004 Mercury MarauderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 27 owner complaints for the 2004 Mercury Marauder. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (10) and tires (5). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2006
Owner complaints
27
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$4,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2004 – Oct 2018
  1. Exterior lighting10
  2. Tires5
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Wheels2
  6. Electrical system2
  7. Structure2
  8. Power train2
  9. Steering1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Marauder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200360
200427
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

10 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT WORSENED AND RECURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PART COULD BE PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2015Exterior lightingODI 10693209

Tires

5 reports
“OEM TIRES FOR REAR P245/55-18 NOT AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. PART # SHOWS TIRE IS NOT DISCONTINUED YET NO TIRES ARE AVAILABLE BY B.F. GOODRICH. NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED AND BF GOODRICH DOES NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. REPEATED PHONE CALLS TO BF GOODRICH OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SHOWS PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED-NO PRODUCTION DATE OF THIS TIRE KNOWN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2014Tires, WheelsODI 10644725

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports1 crash
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING DURING GOOD WEATHER AND NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS SPORADIC FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CHECKED THE PEDAL SPACING AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT THE CONTACT WAS PRESSING THE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKES ARE 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2006Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10162975
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Marauder
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
  • Marauder
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Mercury Marauder as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 1215
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Marauder questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercury Marauder have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 6, 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.

What are the most common 2004 Mercury Marauder problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (10), tires (5), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Mercury Marauder get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercury Marauder at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026