VehicleVerdict

2006 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 187 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Grand Marquis year — the 2006 model ranks #12 of 35 Grand Marquis years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (38), airbags (37), and seat belts (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

187

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control3820%
Airbags3720%
Seat Belts2212%
Fuel System137%
Steering126%
Brakes126%
Engine116%
Electrical System84%
Body & Structure84%
Other63%
Lighting63%
Transmission42%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

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

14V704000SteeringNovember 5, 2014 · 36,888 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Consequence

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

13V385000SteeringAugust 29, 2013 · 355,000 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAD AN INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MY MERCURY MARQUIS. I WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RACING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE HARD BUT THE CAR STILL CONTINUED TO MOVE SLOWLY UNTIL I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE (FORTUNATELY)…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 9, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 25, 2014 · fire

“IN FEB, 2014, I ORIGINALLY HAD A MINOR CRASH WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER WAS CITED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING. HIS INSURANCE PAID FOR MY DAMAGE. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED ON EITHER ME, THE DRIVER, OR MY MOTHER, THE PASSENGER. WE WERE BELTED IN. RECENTLY, ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2015, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND CHIMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 28, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT OBSERVED CORROSION ON ONE OF THE TWO FUEL TANK STRAPS AND IT WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 3, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND LIGHTLY CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 27, 2013 · crash

2006 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 187 complaints put the 2006 model at #12 of 35 Grand Marquis years. It is one of the Grand Marquis years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (38 complaints), airbags (37 complaints), seat belts (22 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 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 2006 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.