VehicleVerdict

1985 Mercury MARQUIS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 1985 Mercury 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.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other MARQUIS years?

MARQUIS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 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, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MARQUIS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Mercury MARQUIS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine233%
Electrical System117%
Speed Control117%
Tires & Wheels117%
Transmission117%

Does the 1985 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

2 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.

85V068000BrakesMay 21, 1985 · 14,008 units

Defect

BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: REPEATED BRAKE USE COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO CRACK AND THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY TO COME APART. SERVICE BRAKES CAPABILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ONCE IT STALLS VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP . INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED, PE 87 028, STALLING. *AK EGR REPLACED TWICE AND ALSO MAP SENSOR REPLACED. *YD”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 5, 1997

“GOING UP RAMP, ENGINE LIGHT ON, MAKING LOUD NOISE, ENGINE SURGED FORWARD QUICKLY, APPLIED BRAKES TO REDUCE SPEED, GOING UP HILL, ENGINE RACED AHEAD. DID NOT TAKE TO DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 18, 1996

“PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION (TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED) WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, WITH DRIVER AND THREE PASSENGERSIN A 1985 MERCURY, MARQUIS, AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT 50,000 MILES, P215/75R14, AND DOT# HYHBS77050. FIRESTONE NOTIFIED, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 4, 2000

“THIS CAR HAS HAD THREE TRANSMISSION PUT IN IT THAT I KNOW OF AND SOMETHING IS STILL A WRONG WITH IT. THIS CAR HAS OTHER PROBLEM'S TO NUMEROUS TO MENTION,LIKE AIR CONDITIONER, DOOR LATCHES , REAR END AND BACK AXLES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 10, 2000

1985 Mercury MARQUIS — common questions

Is the 1985 Mercury MARQUIS reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Mercury MARQUIS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 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.