VehicleVerdict

1997 Mercury MARQUIS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 62 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median MARQUIS year — the 1997 model ranks #1 of 28 MARQUIS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (34% of the total).

62

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other MARQUIS years?

MARQUIS NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MARQUIS years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Mercury MARQUIS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2134%
Suspension813%
Brakes610%
Fuel System58%
Transmission58%
Speed Control46%
Steering46%
Airbags35%
Lighting35%
Tires & Wheels23%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 1997 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V086000BrakesMarch 14, 2005 · 43,626 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL, THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAY CHAFE DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN IT AND A FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY OCCUR.

Consequence

THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY DEVELOP A "SPONGY" FEEL AND DROPS OF BRAKE FLUID MAY BE OBSERVED BENEATH THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME BRAKE PERFORMANCE MAY BE COMPROMISED AND STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE EXTENDED WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB. IF CONTACT IS EVIDENT, BUT NO ABRASION OR LEAKS EXIST, THE BRAKE TUBE WILL BE REPOSITIONED TO PRECLUDE FURTHER CONTACT AND POTENTIAL ABRASION. IF INDICATION OF ABRASION OR A LEAK IS EVIDENT, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE LINE. THIS CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT: THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SO BADLY THAT IT SLAPPED CONSUMER'S GRANDSON''S FACE. HE HAS A PERMANENT SCAR FROM IT. THE AIR BAGS SMOKED UP EVERYTHING LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ALSO, CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND HER TEETH PRINT WAS IN THE BACK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 18, 2005 · crash

“WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURE CAUSED THE DOOR FRAME, ARM BUSHING AND JOINT, SPINDLE FRONT WHEEL,FRONT SENSOR ASSEMBLY, FRONT BRAKE SHIELD AND TIRE TO FALL. *YH ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 2, 2002

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO TAKE OUT OF PARK. I THEN REFERED TO THE VEHICLE MANUAL AND FOUND OUT THAT IF THIS HAPPENS THEN I SHOULD CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHTS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 14, 2005 · fire

“DOWN SHIFT PROGRAM EXHIBITS A SEVERE BRAKING PULSE THAT OCCURS AT APPROXIMATELY 34MPH WHENEVER THE VEHICLE COAST WITH THE GAS PEDAL RELEASED, , CAUSING THE DRIVE WHEEL TO SLIP AT THE TIRE TREADS, ON SNOWY, ICY, GRASSY, OR GRAVEL SURFACE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PIPE THAT EXTENDS FROM THE FENDER WHERE FUEL IS APPLIED HAS RUSTED OUT. THE FAILURE IS CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT HAS FOUND LARGE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 7, 2007 · fire

1997 Mercury MARQUIS — common questions

Is the 1997 Mercury MARQUIS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 62 complaints put the 1997 model at #1 of 28 MARQUIS years. It is one of the MARQUIS years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 MARQUIS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (21 complaints), suspension (8 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).

Does the 1997 Mercury MARQUIS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1997 Mercury MARQUIS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.