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2003 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis has 362 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and exterior lighting is the biggest group by a wide margin[1][2]. The one recall on file covers the lighting control module behind headlight loss, and dealers replace it free of charge[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 362 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 22 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 14 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting[2] | 207 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 95,550 |
| Electrical system[6] | 51 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 95,100 |
| Suspension[7] | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56,500 |
| Steering[8] | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 97,462 |
| Speed control[9] | 27 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 25,000 |
| Engine[10] | 18 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 36,100 |
| Power train[11] | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39,500 |
| Air bags[12] | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8,115 |
Headlights. In the 12 lighting complaints we read, every one describes headlights or exterior lights cutting out, dimming or flickering[2]. Owners describe lights going off at night and sometimes coming back after a wait. Some name the lighting control module and say the repair was costly[2]. The recall below covers this module.
Electrical system. The sample here is mixed. Of 11 different complaint texts we read, 4 describe headlight failures[6]. Others describe a dark dash, stalling, a car that would not start, and one fire under the dash[6].
Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints, at least 8 say a shop traced the problem to the steering shaft[8]. Owners describe a wheel that gets hard to turn or seems to seize while driving[8]. None of the 28 steering complaints report a crash, fire or injury[8].
Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints, 5 mention noise or concerns with the rear axle or rear end[7]. Others describe vibration and creaking sounds[7].
Speed control, engine and air bags. These groups have fewer complaints, but their crash and injury counts stand out. Speed control has 13 crashes and 7 injuries among 27 complaints, with a median of 25,000 miles[9]. Engine has 5 injuries among 18 complaints[10]. Air bags have 4 injuries among 11 complaints, with a median of 8,115 miles[12]. We did not read complaint texts for these groups, so we cannot say what owners describe.
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[4].
- Lighting control module (15V861). Ford recalled 2003 to 2005 Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis cars built from October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005[3]. The lighting control module can fail and cause a loss of headlights. That can reduce visibility and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the module free of charge[3]. The recall is dated December 22, 2015, and began April 14, 2017[3]. Ford lists 296,004 potentially affected vehicles[3].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Grand Marquis with the 4.6L 8-cylinder engine, Automatic 4-spd and rear-wheel drive at 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[5]. It runs on regular fuel[5]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,700[5]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[13]. That means there is no star rating to compare with other cars.
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 179 | 5 |
| 1996 | 239 | 5 |
| 1997 | 316 | 4 |
| 1998 | 143 | 5 |
| 1999 | 164 | 3 |
| 2000 | 162 | 6 |
| 2001 | 157 | 3 |
| 2002 | 78 | 0 |
| 2003 | 362 | 1 |
| 2004 | 348 | 1 |
| 2005 | 488 | 4 |
| 2006 | 143 | 2 |
| 2007 | 96 | 3 |
| 2008 | 80 | 3 |
| 2009 | 26 | 2 |
| 2010 | 25 | 2 |
| 2011 | 9 | 2 |
Among the 17 Grand Marquis model years on file, 2003 has the second most complaints with 362[4]. Only 2005 has more at 488, and 2004 is close behind with 348[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they say more about reports than about how likely any one car is to have a problem.
On recalls, 2003 has 1[4]. Only 2002 has fewer, with 0, and 2004 also has 1[4]. Every other year has between 2 and 6 recalls[4].
Should you buy a used 2003 Grand Marquis?
The data points to one clear thing to check, the headlights. Lighting makes up 207 of the 362 complaints, and the recall for the lighting control module offers a free replacement[2][3][1]. Ask whether that recall work was done, and test the lights at night and when the car is warm. Steering that gets hard to turn is also worth a careful test drive, even though those complaints list no crashes or injuries[8]. Fuel economy is rated at 18 MPG combined[5], and because the sample of complaint texts is small, treat these points as a guide to what to inspect, not a prediction for any one car.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most reported problems with the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis?
- Exterior lighting has the most complaints with 207 of 362 total[2][1]. In the complaints we read, owners describe headlights cutting out or dimming[2]. Electrical system has 51 complaints and steering and suspension have 28 each[6][7][8].
- Does the 2003 Grand Marquis have any recalls?
- Yes, one. Recall 15V861 covers a lighting control module that can fail and cause a loss of headlights. Dealers replace it free of charge[3].
- How many miles per gallon does a 2003 Grand Marquis get?
- EPA rates it at 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG for the 4.6L 8-cylinder with Automatic 4-spd[5].
- Is the 2003 Grand Marquis a reliable car?
- Our data cannot give a reliability score. It shows 362 NHTSA complaints, with 207 about exterior lighting, and one recall[1][2][4]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales.
- Which Grand Marquis model year has the fewest complaints?
- Among the years on file, 2011 has the fewest with 9 complaints, while 2003 has 362[4].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 362 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis (22 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 14 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 207 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,550). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V861, filed December 22, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Grand Marquis model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Marquis, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 51 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,462). NHTSA vehicle records
- 27 complaints name the speed control component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,100). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,115). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records