VehicleVerdict

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis sits mid-pack among Grand Marquis years: 101 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 101, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 10 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (21), speed control (15), and electrical system (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

101

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 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, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering2121%
Speed Control1515%
Electrical System1212%
Brakes1010%
Engine99%
Body & Structure99%
Lighting55%
Fuel System44%
Other44%
Transmission33%
Seat Belts33%
Airbags33%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Suspension11%
Seats11%

Does the 2008 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.

07V270000SuspensionJune 26, 2007 · 8,800 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.

Consequence

IF A HUB FRACTURES, IT MAY POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE WHEEL KNUCKLE, RESULTING IN THE WHEEL BEING RETAINED ONLY BY THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR POOR STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND SHIFT THE GEAR . *TGW”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2013 · crash

“I WAS PREPARING TEST DRIVE 2008 MERCURY MARQUIS AT HONOLULU FORD. I WAS STOPPED AT THE EXIT TO HOUGHTAILING ST WHEN THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. I LOOKED DOWN AND MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS IT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE OUT INTO THE STREET CROSSING THE ROAD HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 14, 2009 · crash

“2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR POOR STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND SHIFT THE GEAR . *TGW”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2013 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 11, 2008 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE NY THRUWAY WHEN I NOTICED THE FRONT OF MY HOOD WAS VIBRATING I HAD ALREADY TRAVELED FOR OVER 200 MILES I NEVER OPENED OR RELEASED THE HOOD IT CAME LOOSE BY ITSELF,THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, I HAD TO PULL OVER IN THE BREAK DOWN LANE TO CLOSE IT THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 27, 2007

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

It is close to typical for the Grand Marquis: 101 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2008 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (21 complaints), speed control (15 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 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 2008 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.