Total Complaints
101 filings
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS · model year
101 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008MERCURYGRAND MARQUIS carries 101 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 GRAND MARQUIS is steering with 20 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (13) and electrical system (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2008 GRAND MARQUIS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
101 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 20 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 13 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 2 |
STEERING
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermedia
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the lower intermediate shaft was replaced. The contact stated that it was determined that the upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing did not need to be replaced at the time. Several years after the recall repair was completed, the steering column began lowering unintendedly, and a zip tie was used to keep it in place. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Mileage: 140,000
See attached document from complainant
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering felt loose. The contact stated that the power steering was still operable however, the vehicle would drift to the left or right with no input on the steering wheel. The contact stated that he would correct the steering and the vehicle would continue to drift to the right and to the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed and the mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Mileage: 68,000
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the wiring harness for the brake pedal sensor was faulty, causing the exterior brake lights to fail to illuminate. The failure almost caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
Left home the other day I noticed that the steering had become was stiff when the wheels were straight..it wasn't bad turning till it was going straight..the next day the steering became stiff and erratic. It would work sometimes and it would be stiff...found out the lower steering shaft had frozen up..There was a recall back in 2013 doe the lower shaft with is breaking..My car was a Florida car but Ford supposed have fixed it because I was moving back to NY..Have been back in NY for 3 1/2 years now it froze up..The recall for cars in the northern states..Seeing I was moving back to NY they claimed they did the recall..it shouldn't have corroded that fast..I have no way to prove they did the recall or if they faked it..It is cleared as it had been repaired..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK WHILE EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION A FEW MINUTES AFTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
Mileage: 72,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK WHILE EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION A FEW MINUTES AFTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
Mileage: 72,000
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR CORNER, AFTER BRAKING MY CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND MADE THE CAR JUMP FORWARD. I HAD TO SLIGHTLY RELEASE THE BRAKE SND BRAKE HARDER TO STOP AND AVOID GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION.
Mileage: 78,013
PASSENGERS SIDE SEATBELT LOCKS
ODOMETER FADES OUT MOST OF THE TIME...SOMETIMES IT WILL BRIGHTEN UP SO YOU CAN SEE IT..BUT SOON FADES OUT AGAIN..FORD WANTS $600 TO FIX IT...2008 IS THE ONLY YEAR THAT FITS AND THERE ARE 4 DIFFERENT ONES THAT FIT..CAN'T FIND A USED ONE
Mileage: 110,000
TOOK CAR THROUGH CAR WASH AFTER WINTER AND A LARGE SECTION OF PAINT CAME OFF THE HOOD..THIS IS A FLORIDA CAR..IT WAS THE SECOND WINTER IN BUFFALO..ALSO FOUND OTHER SPOTS ON CAR WHERE PAINT IS COMING OFF...WAS LOOKING FOR A NEWER GRAND MARQUIS AND A LOT OF THEM ALSO HAD PAINT COMING...ALL WERE THE SILVER BIRCH ...THE PAINT DOESN'T APPEAR TO ADHERE TO THE PRIMER...
Mileage: 110,250
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND WAS HANGING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,824.
Mileage: 63,824
FIRST TRIED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WHILE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY AND THEY DID NOT WORK. WHEN I DROVE OFF I PUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED OFF THE WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE AND 2 DAYS LATER I DROVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I POINTED OUT THESE PROBLEMS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. MY CAR IS 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS WITH 57,628 MILES. THEY CHARGED ME $740 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. I RESEARCHED RECALLS AND I SAW A RECALL 15S39 WITH # 15V861000 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT IT ONLY APPLIED TO THESE SAME CARS THRU CY 2005. MY CAR IS A 2008. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THE FORD CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE AT 866 436 7332 AND THEY SAID THE NHTSA DETERMINES THE EFFECTED VIN NUMBER VEHICLES. THERE IS ALSO A FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACT
Mileage: 57,600
FIRST TRIED THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WHILE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY AND THEY DID NOT WORK. WHEN I DROVE OFF I PUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED OFF THE WIPERS AND THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THE HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE AND 2 DAYS LATER I DROVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I POINTED OUT THESE PROBLEMS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. I LEFT THE CAR AND THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. MY CAR IS 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS WITH 57,628 MILES. THEY CHARGED ME $740 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. I RESEARCHED RECALLS AND I SAW A RECALL 15S39 WITH # 15V861000 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT IT ONLY APPLIED TO THESE SAME CARS THRU CY 2005. MY CAR IS A 2008. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THE FORD CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE AT 866 436 7332 AND THEY SAID THE NHTSA DETERMINES THE EFFECTED VIN NUMBER VEHICLES. THERE IS ALSO A FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACT
Mileage: 57,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Mileage: 90,000
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. IT LOOKS LIKE A CHUNK OF ONE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BEARINGS FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN.
THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ACCELERATE TO 5000 RPM'S. HAD THROTTLE BODY AND MAS REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. HOWEVER, IT STILL HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE (ONCE EVERY 3 WEEKS AVERAGE). USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND DRIVING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS (AROUND 5-10 MPH). HASN'T HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY ONE MECHANIC THAT THE COMPUTER IS DEFECTIVE???.
Mileage: 88,500
THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ACCELERATE TO 5000 RPM'S. HAD THROTTLE BODY AND MAS REPLACED WHICH SEEMED TO HELP. HOWEVER, IT STILL HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE (ONCE EVERY 3 WEEKS AVERAGE). USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND DRIVING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS (AROUND 5-10 MPH). HASN'T HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WAS TOLD BY ONE MECHANIC THAT THE COMPUTER IS DEFECTIVE???.
Mileage: 88,500
TAKATA RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, WHEN A PASSENGER IS SETTING IN THE CAR SEAT AND THE CAR IS MOVING, I HAVE TAKEN NOTE THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH PANEL WILL GO OFF AND OWN. I HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIGHT GO OFF AND OWN.
Mileage: 63,000
TAKATA RECALL THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR, WHEN A PASSENGER IS SETTING IN THE CAR SEAT AND THE CAR IS MOVING, I HAVE TAKEN NOTE THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH PANEL WILL GO OFF AND OWN. I HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIGHT GO OFF AND OWN.
Mileage: 63,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.