VehicleVerdict

1995 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 222 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Grand Marquis year — the 1995 model ranks #7 of 35 Grand Marquis years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (34), steering (25), and electrical system (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

222

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

6

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

22

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3415%
Steering2511%
Electrical System2310%
Speed Control2310%
Visibility & Wipers188%
Lighting188%
Suspension178%
Airbags125%
Fuel System115%
Transmission115%
Engine84%
Other73%
Tires & Wheels52%
Seat Belts42%
Body & Structure42%
Seats10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

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

15E082000SteeringOctober 6, 2015 · 1,767 units

Defect

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Consequence

If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

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.

96V045000Seat BeltsMarch 5, 1996 · 49,000 units

Defect

THE RIVETS HOLDING THE REAR OUTBOARD BELT D-RINGS WERE NOT HEAT TREATED PROPERLY CAUSING THE HEADS OF THE RIVETS TO FRACTURE UNDER LOAD AND FAIL TO HOLD THE D-RINGS TO THE STRAPS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE RESTRAINING CAPABILITIES OF THE SAFETY BELT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

95V189000Electrical SystemOctober 2, 1995 · 45,000 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE NON-CYCLING POWER WINDOW CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE CYCLING HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INTERCHANGED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT OR OVERLOAD IN THE HEADLAMPCIRCUIT, BOTH HEADLAMPS CAN GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING AS INTENDED WITH THE CYCLING CIRCUIT BREAKER. THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED NIGHT TIME DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES, REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND REINSTALL THE BREAKER IN THE CORRECT LOCATIONS.

95V063000Fuel SystemMarch 27, 1995 · 100,000 units

Defect

THE SEAL MATERIAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY CURED DURING THE MOLDING PROCESS WHICH COULD ALLOW FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE-TO-FUEL TANK SEAL WITH A NEW SEAL OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL.

95E006002AirbagsFebruary 24, 1995 · 8,600 units

Defect

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INFLATOR BODY THAT CRACKED DURING FORMING OF THE CURL THAT RETAINS THE IGNITER PLUG IN THE END OF THE INFLATOR. ALSO THE IGNITER END CAP CAN SEPARATE FROM THE INFLATOR.

Consequence

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IF THE IGNITER END CAP SEPARATES IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOT GASES CAN BE RELEASED AND IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL OR CAUSE BURN INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS BACKING UP AT A GAS STATION AND THE REAR TIRES STARTED TO SPIN AND THE CAR MADE A NOISE LIKE I RAN OVER A BUNCH OF TRASH CANS. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WENT FORWARD LIKE IT WAS SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE CAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 1995, VIN [XXX] STEERING SYSTEM COLLAPSED. STEERING WHEEL ROTATES NOT TURNING THE WHEELS. VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. I AM HAPPY TO BE ALIVE TO BE ABLE TO WRITE THIS. PLEASE, DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT OTHER CUSTOMERS. ALSO FEW MONTH EARLIER, SAFETY BELT LATCH COLLAPSED OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 26, 2003

WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN OWNER WAS AWAY. FIRE CAUSED BY FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRE SHORTING OUT IN THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT. INTERIOR ROOFING FELL ONTO SEATS AND MATS INSIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S BEING REPAIRED. CAR HAD EXPERIENCED PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. INSURANCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 3, 1999 · fire

1995 GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. CUSTOMER STATES THERE WAS NO WARNINGS ON WHY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. DEALER TOLD HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT PERTAINING TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 4, 2006 · fire

REAR BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SPONGY BRAKES AND EXCESSIVE FLUID LEAKING OUT. PROBLEM CAUSED BY FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB CHAFING THE LINE. SECOND PROBLEM WHICH HAS NOT AS YET BEEN CORRECTED IS THAT THE HEADLAMPS ARE COMPLETELY DISCOLORED, YELLOWED MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 1, 2005

1995 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 222 complaints put the 1995 model at #7 of 35 Grand Marquis years. It is one of the Grand Marquis years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (34 complaints), steering (25 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints).

Does the 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 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 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 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.