Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1979 Mercury MARQUIS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PUSH-ROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS WHICH WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED AS SPECIFIED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PUSH-ROD.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
Defect
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH MISINDEXED FRONT BRAKE HOSES WHICH COULD CONTACT A TIRE OR WHEEL IN A FULL-TURN CONDITION. CHAFING AND WEAR TO THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND FRONT WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITY.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RE-INDEX THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE. THOSE HOSES SHOWING SIGNS OF ABRASION WILL BE REPLACED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN COUPLING RIVET PINS WHICH WERE NOT RIVETED SECURELY ENOUGH DURING MANUFACTURE. CONSEQUENTLY ONE OR BOTH OF THE PINS COULD LOOSEN FROM THE FLANGE OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF ONE PIN IS LOOSE, FREE PLAY WOULD RESULT. IF BOTH PINS WORK LOOSE, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WOULD OCCUR. ALSO, THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CONTAIN A METAL REINFORCEMENT BETWEEN ONE OR BOTH OF THE RIVET PINS AND THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING. AS A RESULT, THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING COULD TEAR AND PRODUCE A NOISE OR LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM CONTAINS AN INCORRECT 6 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF THE 8.25 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE SYSTEM IS HEAVILY LOADED, AS IN THE CASE OF A PARTIALLY DRY WINDSHIELD, THE MOTOR CURRENT MAY EXCEED THE 6 AMP BREAKER"S CAPACITY. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE BREAKER TO OPEN, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN WIPER/WASHER FAILURE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS ON THE REBOUND BUMPER BRACKETS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Mercury MARQUIS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MARQUIS years to avoid are 1997, 1994, 2003, 1998, 1996, 1999, 1992. The cleanest record among MARQUIS years belongs to 1981.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.