MERCURY MARQUIS · model year

2004 MERCURY MARQUIS

15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MERCURYMARQUIS carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 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 MARQUIS is exterior lighting with 5 filings, followed by steering (4) and electrical system (3). 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.

NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 2004 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.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 LIGHTING5
STEERING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20190304ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS OUT. LOOKING FOR RECALL NUMBER.

Mileage: 103,000

20190304EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS OUT. LOOKING FOR RECALL NUMBER.

Mileage: 103,000

20180827ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE WERE 355,000 RECALLS #14V704000, 13V385000 FOR 205-2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2004 MARQUISE, HOWEVER, MY MARQUISE ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE SAME. THERE ARE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO 2004 GRAND MARQUISE. FORD SAYS MY CAR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ON RECALL LIST HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE MY 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE 2005-2011S. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE ADDRESSED, FORD HAS NOT IDENTIFIED MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH 2004'S WAS THE YEAR THESE CARS WERE BUILT.

Mileage: 91,000

20180827STEERING

THERE WERE 355,000 RECALLS #14V704000, 13V385000 FOR 205-2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2004 MARQUISE, HOWEVER, MY MARQUISE ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE SAME. THERE ARE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO 2004 GRAND MARQUISE. FORD SAYS MY CAR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ON RECALL LIST HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE MY 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE 2005-2011S. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE ADDRESSED, FORD HAS NOT IDENTIFIED MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH 2004'S WAS THE YEAR THESE CARS WERE BUILT.

Mileage: 91,000

20180827UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THERE WERE 355,000 RECALLS #14V704000, 13V385000 FOR 205-2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2004 MARQUISE, HOWEVER, MY MARQUISE ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC SAYS THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE SAME. THERE ARE OVER 50 COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO 2004 GRAND MARQUISE. FORD SAYS MY CAR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ON RECALL LIST HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE MY 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUISE HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS THE 2005-2011S. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE ADDRESSED, FORD HAS NOT IDENTIFIED MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH 2004'S WAS THE YEAR THESE CARS WERE BUILT.

Mileage: 91,000

20180516ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS. IN 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY GOLDER CIRCLE FORD (1432 US-45 BYP, JACKSON, TN 38305). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND ALL THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TWO WARRANTIES HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,000. *TT *JS

Mileage: 245,000

20160812EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ UPDATED 08/15/2017*JS

Mileage: 145,200

20150601EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS TIMES INCLUDING AFTER DARK AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THEY COME ON AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CONTROL FROM THE OPERATOR. NO MANIPULATION OF THE LIGHT CONTROLS APPEARS TO HELP OR IMPACT THIS RANDOM ACTION.

Mileage: 60,000

20140807STEERING

TRIED TO STEER AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WHAT IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH SPEED????? *TR

Mileage: 142,606

20140503STEERING

LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BECAME CORRODED AT CENTER JOINT CAUSING STEERING TO BIND AND STICK WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS RELEASED AS THE VEHICLE WAS EXITING A TURN. THIS REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING TO RETURN THE WHEELS TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. PART WAS REPLACED AT LOCAL DEALER. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM NOW ON A RECALL FOR 2005 TO 2011 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS' AND MY 2004 MARQUIS SHAFT HAS THE SAME PART NUMBER AS THE RECALLED PART ON THE 2005 TO 2011 MARQUIS'. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE AND REFUND THE REPAIR MONEY ON MY VEHICLE. AS THIS IS THE SAME PART AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE 2005 TO 2011 AND ALSO AFFECTS OTHER MERCURY'S PRIOR TO 2004, FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO EXTEND THIS RECALL FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V385000. *TR

Mileage: 88,408

20140415EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THIS MERCURY ALONG WITH COUNTLESS OTHERS HAS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. IF THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. I HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT TILL THEY COME BACK ON. I CALLED MY LINCOLN DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS $107/HOUR TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IF IT IS THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AS IT RUMORED TO BE THE BAD PART, THE COST IS ANOTHER $800. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *TT

Mileage: 82,000

20140401STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 63,500

20131218EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2004 GRAND MARQUIS LS, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF ON THERE OWN THEN COME BACK ON 5-10 MINUTES LATER THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN A SHORT WHILE LATER. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE NORMALLY POSITIONED IN THE AUTO LAMP MODE, IT WAS NO HELP TO TURN LIGHT OFF AND TRY IN THE MANUAL MODE THEY JUST CAME BACK ON WHEN IT FELT LIKE IT. IN SIDE DASH LIGHTS AND OUTSIDE PARKING/DRIVING LIGHTS WORKED NORMALLY, EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORKED NORMALLY. IN THE LATEST OCCURRENCE (12/17/2013) MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT 5 TIMES IN A 13.5 MILE DRIVE HOME . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AT ONCE. *TR

Mileage: 45,550

20130408EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THREE AUTHORIZED DEALERS FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PROCESSOR LIG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 6/14/13 *CN UPDATED 07/17/2013 *JS

Mileage: 70,000

20130103EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CONSUMER STATED HIS HEADLIGHTS ON HIS 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS ARE GOING OUT WHILE HE DRIVES AT NIGHT. *LN.. UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE OFFICIAL FORD SOLUTION TO THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $500. UPDATED 01/14/13 1/17/2013*JS UPDATED

Compare 2004MERCURYMARQUIS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS have?
The 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 MERCURY MARQUIS 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.