Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1988 Mercury Grand Marquis electrical system problems
The 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis has 46 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 47% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
46
Electrical System complaints
47%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Electrical System complaints by year
Related recalls
What owners report
“AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE . SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. FRONT TWO TIRE WERE ON FIRE AT THAT TIME. FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP.*AK”
Common questions
How many electrical system complaints does the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis electrical system — 47% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Are there recalls for the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis electrical system?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 96V071000.
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.