VehicleVerdict

1983 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1983 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted634 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 8 complaints1983: 14 complaints1984: 24 complaints1985: 29 complaints1986: 22 complaints1987: 57 complaints1988: 98 complaints1989: 69 complaints1990: 63 complaints1991: 106 complaints1992: 330 complaints1993: 178 complaints1994: 197 complaints1995: 222 complaints1996: 282 complaints1997: 370 complaints1998: 168 complaints1999: 202 complaints2000: 216 complaints2001: 207 complaints2002: 101 complaints2003: 449 complaints2004: 422 complaints2005: 634 complaints2006: 187 complaints2007: 111 complaints2008: 101 complaints2009: 35 complaints2010: 35 complaints2011: 11 complaints
Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission429%
Electrical System214%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)214%
Visibility & Wipers214%
Lighting17%
Fuel System17%
Brakes17%
Speed Control17%

Does the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

83V028000TransmissionMarch 7, 1983 · 98,162 units

Defect

THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.

83V017000TransmissionFebruary 24, 1983 · 36,000 units

Defect

THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE OVERDRIVE TO ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR CONDITIONER EMITTED A POWDERY SUBSTANCE. WORLDWIDE FORD IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 4, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR CONDITIONER EMITTED A POWDERY SUBSTANCE. WORLDWIDE FORD IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · July 4, 2017

1983 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1983 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Grand Marquis years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Marquis years to avoid are 2005, 2003, 2004, 1997, 1992, 1996, 1995, 2000, 2001, 1999, 1994, 2006, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand Marquis years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.