MERCURY MARAUDER · model year

2004 MERCURY MARAUDER

35 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MERCURYMARAUDER carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 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 2004 MARAUDER is exterior lighting with 9 filings, followed by tires (5) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 22 investigation files overlapping the 2004 MARAUDER. 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.

35
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
TIRES5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
WHEELS2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
STRUCTURE1
EQUIPMENT1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (1)

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

Recent Complaints

20181014STEERING

THE STEERING HAD BECOME STIFF AND "NOTCHY" WHILE TURNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT AHEAD ON ITS OWN. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT HAD 1 OF THE 3 BEARING FROZEN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THIS IS THE SAME EXACT PARTS AND SYMPTOMS AS LISTED LISTED IN FORD RECALL 13S08

Mileage: 90,000

20150310EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT WORSENED AND RECURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PART COULD BE PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

20141128EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER ON A TWO LANE ROAD IN DELAWARE COUNTY NY WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DRIVING THE BACK ROADS TAKES TOTAL CONCENTRATION DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF NOCTURNAL ANIMALS WHICH CAN CROSS ROADS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR AND I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN MAINTAINING IT TO THE UTMOST TOP CONDITION. IT IS RARE TO FIND THIS MODEL CAR(A MARAUDER) BUT IT IS A GRAND MARQUIS/ CROWN VIC AND WHILE CERTAIN PARTS LIKE TIRES ARE HARD TO COME BY, A LIGHT CONTROL MODULE(LCM) IS A DIME A DOZEN. FORD HAS A PROGRAM 14N01 (RECALL?) TO REPLACE THESE MODULES. REPEATED CALLS TO FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND MY DEALER HAS PROVED THAT FORD WANTS TO HELP YET MAKES NO COMMITMENT OTHER THEN OFFERING ME A AFTERMARKET PART. THE FORD PART IS ON BACK ORDER. I FEEL FORD WILL HELP ME BUT ONLY AFTER MY 18 YEAR SON HAS CRASHED DUE TO FORD RELUCTANCE TO IMMEDIATELY CORRECT A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. IF THE PROPER PART IS ON BACK ORDER WHEN WILL THE PART BECOME AVAILABLE? I PURCHAS

Mileage: 112,000

20141015WHEELS

OEM TIRES FOR REAR P245/55-18 NOT AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. PART # SHOWS TIRE IS NOT DISCONTINUED YET NO TIRES ARE AVAILABLE BY B.F. GOODRICH. NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED AND BF GOODRICH DOES NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. REPEATED PHONE CALLS TO BF GOODRICH OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SHOWS PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED-NO PRODUCTION DATE OF THIS TIRE KNOWN. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

20141015TIRES

OEM TIRES FOR REAR P245/55-18 NOT AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. PART # SHOWS TIRE IS NOT DISCONTINUED YET NO TIRES ARE AVAILABLE BY B.F. GOODRICH. NO SOLUTION IS OFFERED AND BF GOODRICH DOES NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. REPEATED PHONE CALLS TO BF GOODRICH OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SHOWS PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZED-NO PRODUCTION DATE OF THIS TIRE KNOWN. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

20140515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, THEN THE CAR STALLED. I INSTINCTIVELY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO TRY AND RESTART WHICH I DID BUT IT STALLED AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE UNFORTUNATELY ON THE CURVE OF A 2 LANE BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER OR BREAKDOWN LANE. LUCKILY THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ENOUGH FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC AND TRACTOR TRAILERS TO SEE ME IN TIME OR I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED ON THAT BRIDGE. GREAT APPRECIATION TO DISPATCH AND THE STATE TROOPERS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 113,312

20140515EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, THEN THE CAR STALLED. I INSTINCTIVELY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO TRY AND RESTART WHICH I DID BUT IT STALLED AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE UNFORTUNATELY ON THE CURVE OF A 2 LANE BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER OR BREAKDOWN LANE. LUCKILY THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE ENOUGH FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC AND TRACTOR TRAILERS TO SEE ME IN TIME OR I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED ON THAT BRIDGE. GREAT APPRECIATION TO DISPATCH AND THE STATE TROOPERS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 113,312

20130611EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2004 MERCURY MARAUDER HEADLIGHTS OCCASIONALLY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. RUNNING LIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS CONTINUE WORKING, NO LOW/HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. SWITCH SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE, FUSES ARE FINE AND NO BULBS OUT. RECENTLY HAD DEALERSHIP REPLACE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT, ONLY CHANGE TO VEHICLE BEFORE ISSUE STARTED. POSSIBLE ISSUE CONTINUES IN DAYTIME, BUT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT AS NEEDED IN DAYLIGHT. DUE TO NECESSARY DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGH SPEED AND UNLIT COUNTRY ROADS, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 115,300

20130611VISIBILITY/WIPER

WIPERS CONTINUING FOR TWO YEARS TO OCCASIONALLY TURN ON AND OFF WITHOUT SWITCH ACTIVATION. ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN MANY OF THE FORUMS FOR MARAUDERS, THE FACT THAT FORD HAS MADE NO RECALL IS SHAMEFUL. ONLY KNOWN FIX IS TO REMOVE THE FUSE WHEN THE WIPERS ARE NOT NEEDED, THOUGH IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 60,452

20121001EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE AND TURNED OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE WAS FOUND FAULTY AND REPLACED. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS BASE MODEL CAR (FORD CROWN VICTORIA, MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MERCURY MARAUDER) AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE LOSS OF LIGHTS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20120430EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHT RELAY PORTION OF THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE INTERMITTENTLY FAILS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A COLLISION. THE LIGHTS REMAIN OFF FOR AN UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN TURN BACK ON. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 1-2 MINUTE PERIODS WITHOUT LIGHT. THIS IS A WELL KNOW ISSUE WITH 2003-2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MERCURY MARAUDER (LINCOLN TOWN CAR MAY ALSO BE INVOLVED). *JS

Mileage: 60,000

20120102EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING FOG LIGHTS STAYED ON,JUST GOT HARD TO SEE,HAD TO HOLD THE SIGNAL LEVER IN THE ''FLASH TO PASS'' TO SEE THE ROAD. AFTER WORK I PRAY THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON.NOW IF I STOP FOR A COFFEE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME BACK ON. I THEN NEED TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING SO THEY STAY ON. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

20120102STRUCTURE:BODY

BACK IN 2007 NOTICED SMALL BUMPS IN PAINT ONLY ON THE ROOF,WENT TO FORD DEALER,THEY SAID NO PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. TIME WENT ON, PAINT GOT WORSE,MORE BUBBLES AND CRACKS,.IN 2008 WROTE TO FORD ABOUT PROBLEM THEY SAID THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROOF PAINT. NOW THE ENTIRE ROOF IS BUMPY,CRACKED, WITH BARE RUSTED METAL SHOWING. COST TO FIX IS 1000.00. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20110313WHEELS

WHILE TRAVELING ON 20/59 NORTH PAST THE COALING EXIT, I HIT A POT HOLE. THE POT HOLE WAS SO BIG THAT IT BURST MY TIRE AND BENT MY RIM. SINCE IT WAS AROUND 7:45 PM, I COULDN'T SEE IT. THANK GOD IT ONLY BURST ONE OF MY TIRES ON THE REAR OF MY CAR. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. IT ALSO TOOK AN HOUR AT LEAST FOR A TROOPER TO COME. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $450. I EXPECT TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE WITH FIXING MY CAR. THE POT HOLE NEEDS TO BE FILLED ASAP! *TR

Mileage: 85,380

20110313TIRES

WHILE TRAVELING ON 20/59 NORTH PAST THE COALING EXIT, I HIT A POT HOLE. THE POT HOLE WAS SO BIG THAT IT BURST MY TIRE AND BENT MY RIM. SINCE IT WAS AROUND 7:45 PM, I COULDN'T SEE IT. THANK GOD IT ONLY BURST ONE OF MY TIRES ON THE REAR OF MY CAR. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. IT ALSO TOOK AN HOUR AT LEAST FOR A TROOPER TO COME. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $450. I EXPECT TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE WITH FIXING MY CAR. THE POT HOLE NEEDS TO BE FILLED ASAP! *TR

Mileage: 85,380

20110313EQUIPMENT

WHILE TRAVELING ON 20/59 NORTH PAST THE COALING EXIT, I HIT A POT HOLE. THE POT HOLE WAS SO BIG THAT IT BURST MY TIRE AND BENT MY RIM. SINCE IT WAS AROUND 7:45 PM, I COULDN'T SEE IT. THANK GOD IT ONLY BURST ONE OF MY TIRES ON THE REAR OF MY CAR. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. IT ALSO TOOK AN HOUR AT LEAST FOR A TROOPER TO COME. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $450. I EXPECT TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE WITH FIXING MY CAR. THE POT HOLE NEEDS TO BE FILLED ASAP! *TR

Mileage: 85,380

20110131EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER WITH CAUTION TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES, THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 117,000

20090630EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS IN 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER BEGAN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT ABOUT 60K MILES, ALSO INTERMITTENTLY NOT COMING ON WHEN TURNED ON BY SWITCH. THEY NOW RARELY STAY ON FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES AT A TIME. THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY RELATED TO THE WIDELY REPORTED FAILURE OF MOTOROLA-MANUFACTURED FORD LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM, FORD P/N 4W7Z13C788BB) UNITS IN MANY FORD 'PANTHER' PLATFORM MODELS (CROWN VIC, GRAND MARQUIS, MARAUDER) THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2004. NHTSA ACTION PE08066 ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALER I SOUGHT SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE FROM RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE LCM AT A COST OF $700 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE PART IS AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERNET SOURCES FROM $300 TO $500. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS PART REPLACEMENT WOULD FIX THE INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE UNIT MYSELF AND RETURN THE PART IF THIS DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL -- CA

Mileage: 60,000

20090630ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS IN 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER BEGAN GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT ABOUT 60K MILES, ALSO INTERMITTENTLY NOT COMING ON WHEN TURNED ON BY SWITCH. THEY NOW RARELY STAY ON FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES AT A TIME. THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY RELATED TO THE WIDELY REPORTED FAILURE OF MOTOROLA-MANUFACTURED FORD LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM, FORD P/N 4W7Z13C788BB) UNITS IN MANY FORD 'PANTHER' PLATFORM MODELS (CROWN VIC, GRAND MARQUIS, MARAUDER) THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2004. NHTSA ACTION PE08066 ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. THE FORD/MERCURY DEALER I SOUGHT SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE FROM RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE LCM AT A COST OF $700 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE PART IS AVAILABLE THROUGH INTERNET SOURCES FROM $300 TO $500. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS PART REPLACEMENT WOULD FIX THE INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE UNIT MYSELF AND RETURN THE PART IF THIS DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL -- CA

Mileage: 60,000

20090413STRUCTURE

I HAVE A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER AND HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT SPLITTING AND BLISTERING ON THE FRONT HOOD, ROOF AND REAR TRUNK. I CONTACTED BOTH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FORD AND THEY BOTH SAY I'M JUST OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY (WITHIN A YEAR) AND THEREFORE NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE ISSUE AND STATED IT WAS POSSIBLY MISSING SOME PROTECTIVE UNDERCOATING AND IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. I DID FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

Compare 2004MERCURYMARAUDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER have?
The 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER has 35 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER?
Yes, the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.