VehicleVerdict

2011 Mercury Grand Marquis problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Grand Marquis years?

Grand Marquis NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 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, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Marquis years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System327%
Steering218%
Fuel System19%
Seat Belts19%
Tires & Wheels19%
Airbags19%
Visibility & Wipers19%
Brakes19%

Does the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I SMELLED A WEIRD SMELL COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I TURNED TO LOOK TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR IT WAS SMOKING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AS I WAS DOING SO THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. I FINISHED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 29, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 23, 2013

“THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT CAR'S COMPUTER IS GENERATING A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. HE SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THIS IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 18, 2017

“THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT CAR'S COMPUTER IS GENERATING A CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR IN DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. HE SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE THIS IS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 18, 2017

“DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH DASH DISPLAY INDICATING 60 MILES REMAINING ON FUEL SUPPLY WHEN CAR RAN OUT OF FUEL. TANK TOTALLY EMPTY DASH DISPLAY STILL INDICATED 60 MILES BEFORE EMPTY. FUEL GAGE HAS BEEN REGULARLY DECEITFUL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 1, 2013

2011 Mercury Grand Marquis — common questions

Is the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 Grand Marquis problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), steering (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints).

Does the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.