1996 Mercury Grand Marquis: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis: 5 recalls, 239 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #96V070000 · 1996 · 73,500 vehicles
What's wrong: When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches May open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Why it matters: The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, May not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V157002 · 2000 · 1,129 vehicles
What's wrong: These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle safety systems, Inc. (trw) manufactured from June 1, 1998 through May 21, 2000. Some of these seat belt assemblies May have been installed as service replacement equipment on the…
Why it matters: In the event of a collision, these seat belts May not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #00V157001 · 2000 · 1,167 vehicles
What's wrong: These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle safety systems, Inc. (trw) manufactured from June 1, 1998 through May 21, 2000. Some of these seat belt assemblies May have been installed as service replacement equipment on the…
Why it matters: In the event of a collision, these seat belts May not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #07V336000 · 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: This could result in an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October…
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #08V051000 · 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Why it matters: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and May not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
The fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #15E082000 · 2015 · 1,767 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain model dorman steering shafts, part number 425-359, solutions steering shafts, part number 7-0359, and oe solutions steering shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford crown victoria, Mercury grand marquis, and Lincoln town car vehicles. These…
Why it matters: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 19 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (85): the most common themes are overheating (15), leaks (15), fire / smoke (14).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (23): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8), rust / corrosion (5), noise or vibration (4).
- Fuel system (21): the most common themes are leaks (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Steering (21): the most common themes are steering problems (17), warning light on (2).
The 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis has 239 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 22 Grand Marquis model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 168). Complaints peaked in 2002 (27 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 84,263 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (179 complaints, 5 recalls), 1997 (316 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 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 1996 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.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis problems?
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (85), brakes (hydraulic) (23), fuel system (21).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 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.