VehicleVerdict

1989 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis sits mid-pack among Grand Marquis years: 69 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 101, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (28% of the total).

69

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1928%
Speed Control1623%
Brakes812%
Transmission69%
Engine69%
Fuel System57%
Tires & Wheels34%
Seat Belts23%
Body & Structure23%
Latches & Locks11%
Steering11%

Does the 1989 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.

96V071000Electrical SystemApril 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. MELTED WIRES AND PLASTIC COVERING ON STEERING COLUMN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1989 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE ENGINE REVVED UP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE HE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, HE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB *SC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 18, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING, SMELLED BURNING ODOR, PULLED INTO SERVICE STATION, RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CAUGHT ON FIRE; FRONT CALIPER PISTON HUNG UP, CAUSING BRAKES TO FREEZE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 13, 1996 · fire

“VEHICLE AXLE BROKE CAUSING WHEEL TO COME OFF.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COME OFF THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE SPUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. THE WHEEL CROSSED LANES, SMACKED A CONCRETE BARRIER AND BOUNCED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FORCING THAT VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 9, 2003 · crash

“THE VEHICLE FRAME HAD APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE RUST WAS ALSO NOTICED BY THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CROSS MEMBER. THE ENGINE OIL PAN RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED AN OIL LEAK. ALSO TWO OF THE TIRES HAD ACQUIRED BULGES. *JG *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2002

1989 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 69 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Grand Marquis year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1989 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (19 complaints), speed control (16 complaints), brakes (8 complaints).

Does the 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 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 1989 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.