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2005 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2005 Grand Marquis has 488 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any model year of this car[1][2]. The largest group is exterior lighting, and a headlights recall is tied to it[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 488 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 21 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
Exterior lighting is the biggest group by far, with 293 complaints[3]. The median mileage at failure is 78,126[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe headlights that go out while driving. Some come back after a wait, and some owners say a lighting control module was the cause[3].
Electrical system has 75 complaints, including 4 fires[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe a horn that does not sound, sounds only when pressed in one spot, or sounds on its own. Two texts describe an engine fire that was called electrical[6].
Air bags have 67 complaints, with 5 crashes and 6 injuries[7]. In the sample we read, owners describe an air bag warning light that stays on or comes back. Some say a seat belt pretensioner was the cause. A few describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[7].
Speed control has only 39 complaints, but it has the most crashes (13) and injuries (12) of the groups listed here, and the median failure mileage is 17,908[8]. In the sample we read, owners describe the car surging or speeding up unexpectedly, often while braking or shifting. Several say the dealer could not find a cause. A smaller number describe cruise control speeding up or not letting go[8].
Other groups are smaller: seat belts (36 complaints)[9], steering (20)[10], brakes (18)[11] and engine (14)[12].
Recalls
NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first[2].
- Headlights (15V861). Ford says a lighting control module can fail and cause a loss of headlights. That can reduce visibility and raise the risk of a crash. The fix is a free module replacement by dealers. The recall began April 14, 2017[4]. It covers 296,004 vehicles, including Crown Victoria models[4].
- Steering shaft repair (14V704). If the upper intermediate steering shaft was serviced under the earlier recall 13V385, that repair may not have been done correctly. The shaft could separate and cause a loss of steering control. Dealers inspect and replace the shaft if needed, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014[13].
- Steering shaft corrosion (13V385). Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft. The upper shaft could collapse and the steering column bearing could separate, which can cause a loss of steering. It applies to cars registered or first sold in a list of states that includes Ohio, New York and Michigan. Dealers replace the lower shaft free, check for damage and repair or replace parts as needed. The recall began October 23, 2013[14].
- Battery cable (05V518). A fusible link in the battery cable can touch and chafe on a cross member bolt. That can cause heat damage and a fire. Dealers inspect the link and move it away from the bolt, or replace it if wires are exposed. The recall began November 18, 2005[15].
Fuel economy
The 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 19 combined MPG[5]. It runs on regular fuel[5]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,550, using current fuel price assumptions and not prices from when the car was new[5].
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists the 4-door body styles of this model year as not rated in its 5-Star program[16][17]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not mean the car failed a test.
How 2005 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 |
With 488 complaints, 2005 has more than any other of the 17 model years listed, from 1995 to 2011[2]. The next highest are 2003 with 362 and 2004 with 348[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so this shows where owners reported more, not a failure rate.
On recalls, 2005 has 4[2]. That is fewer than 2000 (6) and fewer than 1995, 1996 and 1998 (5 each)[2]. It is more than 2003 and 2004, which have 1 each[2].
Should you buy a used 2005 Grand Marquis?
Exterior lighting complaints make up 293 of the 488 on file[3]. The related recall offers a free module replacement[4], so ask for proof that it was done. Check the steering and battery cable recalls too, since they involve a loss of steering and a fire risk[13][14][15]. Fuel economy is rated at 19 combined MPG[5]. These are owner reports, not a failure rate, so a pre-purchase inspection matters more than the counts.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis?
- Exterior lighting has the most NHTSA complaints at 293 of 488[1][3]. Electrical (75), air bags (67) and speed control (39) follow[6][7][8].
- Does the 2005 Grand Marquis have any recalls?
- Yes, four: headlights (15V861), two steering shaft recalls (13V385 and 14V704) and a battery cable fire risk (05V518)[4][13][14][15].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Grand Marquis?
- The EPA rates it at 16 city, 23 highway and 19 combined MPG[5].
- Is the 2005 the worst year for the Grand Marquis?
- It has the most complaints of the 17 listed years, 488, ahead of 2003 with 362[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 488 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis (24 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Grand Marquis model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 293 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,126). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V861, filed December 22, 2015: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Marquis, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 75 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 67 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,815). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the speed control component group (13 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,908). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,830). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 114,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,200). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V704, filed November 5, 2014: Steering › Rack And Pinion › Pinion Shaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V385, filed August 29, 2013: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V518, filed November 9, 2005: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records