VehicleVerdict

1983 Mercury MARQUIS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1983 compare to other MARQUIS years?

MARQUIS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted62 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 23 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 5 complaints1988: 14 complaints1989: 11 complaints1990: 8 complaints1991: 10 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 25 complaints1994: 44 complaints1995: 26 complaints1996: 40 complaints1997: 62 complaints1998: 40 complaints1999: 31 complaints2000: 24 complaints2001: 27 complaints2002: 11 complaints2003: 42 complaints2004: 15 complaints
MARQUIS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1983 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MARQUIS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1983 Mercury MARQUIS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1100%

Does the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

83V028000TransmissionMarch 7, 1983 · 98,162 units

Defect

THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.

83V017000TransmissionFebruary 24, 1983 · 36,000 units

Defect

THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

1983 Mercury MARQUIS — common questions

Is the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1983 Mercury MARQUIS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury MARQUIS years should you avoid?

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.

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.