VehicleVerdict

1986 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 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, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1150%
Engine418%
Brakes29%
Body & Structure15%
Tires & Wheels15%
Transmission15%
Speed Control15%
Steering15%

Does the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

2 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.

87V139000Fuel SystemSeptember 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE VIBRATES ON RIGHT FRONT END WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE LET GO, FEELS LIKE THEY ARE GRABBING. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK & NOTICED SMOKE FROM TIRES & THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 1999 · fire

“OHIO POLICE REPORT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE PRESSURE,THEN BEGAN TO SMOKE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. CONSUMER STATED THAT MUFFLER HAD BEEN REPLACED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES. *TT ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2002 · fire

“VEHICLE VIBRATES ON RIGHT FRONT END WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE LET GO, FEELS LIKE THEY ARE GRABBING. HAD STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK & NOTICED SMOKE FROM TIRES & THEN FLAMES SHOT OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 1, 1999 · fire

“OWNER HEARD (2) POPPING NOISES AND DROVE FIVE MINUTES. AFTER PARKING OVER NIGHT VEHICLE HAD BURNED UNTIL SMOLDERED W/STEERING COLUMN MELTED AND CRACKED WINDOW.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 11, 1995 · fire

“MY 1986 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS GOES FORWARD WHEN PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSE CALLS WHEN SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW MY CAR TRIES TO DRIVE IT (CAR WASH PEOPLE, MECHANICS, RELATIVES, ETC.). I BELIEVE THE LINKAGE GOING TO MY DASHBOARD IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2004

1986 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), engine (4 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 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 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.