VehicleVerdict

1987 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 57 owner complaints run below the Grand Marquis median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 44% of all reports (25 of 57), far ahead of engine at 8.

57

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 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, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2544%
Engine814%
Speed Control712%
Seat Belts611%
Fuel System35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Transmission12%
Lighting12%
Steering12%
Body & Structure12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%

Does the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

5 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.

88V028000Seat BeltsMarch 8, 1988 · 21,200 units

Defect

AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.

Consequence

SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.

Remedy

REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.

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.

87V131000Fuel SystemAugust 17, 1987 · 11,119 units

Defect

FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.

Consequence

BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.

87V012000SteeringFebruary 9, 1987 · 29,600 units

Defect

STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.

Consequence

STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.

Remedy

REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE PARKED FOR SOMETIME. STARTED VEHICLE & WAS DRIVING WHEN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS INSIDE VEHICLE. HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. STOPPED & LIFTED HOOD. FLAMES SHUT OUT. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT. INDCATION OF ELECTRICAL WIRES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 4, 1999 · fire

“WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO TWO TREES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 1, 1998 · crash

“DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKEL. A SPRING ON THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER LATCHES CORRECTLY. THE BUCKEL WILL HOLD IF IT IS SHAKEN BUT RELEASES EASILY. THIS IS THE SECOND 1987 GRAND MARQUIS THAT I HAVE OWENED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO. I REPLACED THEM WITH PARTS FROM A SALVAGE YARD. FORD WANTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 14, 2005

1987 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 57 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Grand Marquis year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1987 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (25 complaints), engine (8 complaints), speed control (7 complaints).

Does the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 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 1987 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.