VehicleVerdict

1992 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 330 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Grand Marquis year — the 1992 model ranks #5 of 35 Grand Marquis years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 119 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (55), electrical system (47), and speed control (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

330

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

7

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

33

Fires reported

119

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 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, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes5517%
Electrical System4714%
Speed Control3210%
Lighting299%
Transmission299%
Fuel System237%
Engine216%
Visibility & Wipers175%
Airbags155%
Body & Structure124%
Seats113%
Steering103%
Other72%
Tires & Wheels72%
Latches & Locks62%
Suspension62%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

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

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

99V124000Electrical SystemMay 19, 1999 · 262,695 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Consequence

A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DROVE INTO PARKING LOT AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, APPLIED FOOT TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED 1N 1991, BUT THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 17, 1997 · crash

“THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ALTERNATOR WIRES. ONE OF WIRES IN THE ALTERNATOR STARTED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE OCCURRED AFTER THE CONSUMER HAD PARKED VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 13, 1998 · fire

“ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WENT OVER THE SAME CURB TWICE AND HIT A BANK BUILDING BEFORE STOPPING. PROBLEM WAS MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 30, 1999 · crash

“WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT ANY NOTICE; ALSO REPLACED LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER AND TRANSMISSION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 1996 · crash

“WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD UP, AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 30, 1999 · fire

1992 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 330 complaints put the 1992 model at #5 of 35 Grand Marquis years. It is one of the Grand Marquis years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (55 complaints), electrical system (47 complaints), speed control (32 complaints).

Does the 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 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 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.