VehicleVerdict

1986 Mercury MARQUIS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1986 Mercury MARQUIS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other MARQUIS years?

MARQUIS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 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, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MARQUIS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Mercury MARQUIS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System125%
Fuel System125%
Speed Control125%
Tires & Wheels125%

Does the 1986 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING ON ICY PAVEMENT VEHICLE ACCELERATED WIDE OPEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD TO TURN OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”

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

“WHY ARE THE GAS TANKS ROTTING OUT WHEN YEARS AGO GAS TANKS LASTED A LIFETIME AND MORE. EITHER THE GAS HAS AN ADDATIVE THAT IS DOING IT OR THE MFGS' OF GAS TANKS ARE USING POOR QUALITY MATERIALS. THESE LEAKS START AS PIN HOLES AND THEN GROW SO MILLIONS COULD BE DUMPING GASOLINE ALL OF OUR ROADS THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 6, 1999

1986 Mercury MARQUIS — common questions

Is the 1986 Mercury MARQUIS reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1986 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1986 Mercury MARQUIS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 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.