1990 Mercury Grand Marquis: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis: 0 recalls, 56 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043001 · 1990 · 172,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (13): the most common themes are fire / smoke (5), electrical failure (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Speed control / throttle (9): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (2).
- Airbags (9): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (8): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3), rust / corrosion (2).
The 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis has 56 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 22 Grand Marquis model years for complaints (well below the 168 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 89,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (82 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (13), speed control / throttle (9), airbags (9).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (5.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.