CarBrief

Headlight trouble is the story of this model year. Of 348 complaints on file with NHTSA, 207 name exterior lighting[1][2], and the one recall covers a lighting control module that can leave you without headlights[3].

348owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
18MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 348 owner complaints for the 2004 Grand Marquis[1]. Of these, 17 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Exterior lighting[2] 207 86,000
Steering[6] 65 88,232
Electrical system[7] 40 88,670
Speed control[8] 23 39,035
Engine[9] 13 100,000
Power train[10] 9 16,890
Structure[11] 8 65,000
Brakes[12] 7 not listed

Headlights and lighting. In a sample of 12 exterior lighting complaints we read, 9 describe headlights going out, dimming or flickering while driving, often at night[2]. Several owners point to the lighting control module as the cause or the part that was replaced[2]. The electrical system group tells the same story. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, all involve the same headlight dropouts or the lighting control module, and one describes smoke from the module[7]. That group lists 1 fire[7].

Steering. The steering group has 65 complaints, with 4 crashes, 4 injuries and 1 death[6]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 9 describe a steering wheel that becomes stiff or hard to turn[6].

Speed control. This group is small at 23 complaints, but it lists 5 crashes and 1 fire[8]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 7 describe the car surging or taking off while the driver was braking or stopping[8]. Some owners say the dealer could not find a cause[8].

The engine, power train, structure and brakes groups each have 13 complaints or fewer, so we would not call any of them a common problem for this year[9][10][11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2004 model year[4].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 4.6L 8-cylinder, 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Grand Marquis at 15 mpg city, 23 highway and 18 combined on regular fuel[5]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,700[5]. That figure uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists its 5-Star ratings for the 2004 Grand Marquis as not rated, for both the 4-door body styles listed[13][14]. We have no crash test stars to report.

How 2004 compares with other years

1995: 179 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 239 complaints, 5 recalls1997: 316 complaints, 4 recalls19971998: 143 complaints, 5 recalls1999: 164 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 162 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 157 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 78 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 362 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 348 complaints, 1 recalls34820042005: 488 complaints, 4 recalls20052006: 143 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 96 complaints, 3 recalls20072008: 80 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 26 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 25 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 9 complaints, 2 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Marquis model year. The 2004 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951795
19962395
19973164
19981435
19991643
20001626
20011573
2002780
20033621
20043481
20054884
20061432
2007963
2008803
2009262
2010252
201192

Across the 17 Grand Marquis model years from 1995 to 2011, 2004 has the third most complaints at 348[4]. Only 2005 (488) and 2003 (362) are higher[4]. For recalls, 2004 has 1, tied with 2003[4]. Only 2002 has fewer, with 0[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide within this one model.

Should you buy a used 2004 Grand Marquis?

The clearest risk is the headlight module, with 207 lighting complaints and a recall with a free dealer fix[2][3]. Before buying, ask whether the recall repair was done, and check the headlights at night. Steering stiffness and the surging reports are fewer in number, but they involve crashes and are worth a careful test drive and a mechanic's look[6][8]. Fuel economy is 18 mpg combined[5]. The complaint data is a rough picture, not proof of how any single car will behave.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Exterior lighting leads with 207 of 348 complaints, followed by steering with 65 and the electrical system with 40[1][2][6][7].
Has the 2004 Grand Marquis been recalled?
Yes. Recall 15V861 covers a lighting control module that can fail and cause loss of headlights. Dealers replace it free of charge[3].
What gas mileage does the 2004 Grand Marquis get?
The EPA rates it at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg[5].
Is the 2004 Grand Marquis a good year compared with others?
It has the third most complaints of 17 model years at 348, but only 1 recall[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis (17 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 207 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 15V861, filed December 22, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Grand Marquis model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Grand Marquis, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 65 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,232). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 40 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,670). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 23 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,035). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,890). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.