VehicleVerdict

1993 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 178 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Grand Marquis year — the 1993 model ranks #13 of 35 Grand Marquis years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (34), brakes (26), and electrical system (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

178

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3419%
Brakes2615%
Electrical System2112%
Steering2011%
Speed Control1911%
Lighting116%
Seats106%
Visibility & Wipers84%
Engine74%
Airbags74%
Fuel System63%
Tires & Wheels42%
Body & Structure21%
Suspension11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 1993 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.

“WHILE IN PARK , WHEN MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED BACKWARE INTO A PICKUP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS JUMPED OUT OF PARK , BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A COLLISION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 21, 1999 · crash

“THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 28, 2004 · fire

“TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 18, 2007 · fire

“DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH SMELLED SMOKE/BURNING, LIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT. STEERING COUPLING BOLTS WERE LOOSE, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 1, 1997 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 4 HOURS, A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT FOUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 17, 2006 · fire

1993 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 178 complaints put the 1993 model at #13 of 35 Grand Marquis years. It is one of the Grand Marquis years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (34 complaints), brakes (26 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints).

Does the 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 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 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 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.