2003 Mercury Marquis
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Marquis › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Mercury Marquis. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
33 complaints4 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated that the power steering would seize. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, the power steering operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer and…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated that the power steering would seize. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, the power steering operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted. The failure mileage was 66,000. The vin was unknown. *bf consumer has repaired the vehicle.*jb
- Steering
Steering required significant effort to turn steering past approximately 30-45 degrees at the steering wheel. this required replacement of the upper and lower steering columns. Less than one month after replacement, steering now has a "jump" and a "clunk" at the same position in the steering…
Steering required significant effort to turn steering past approximately 30-45 degrees at the steering wheel. this required replacement of the upper and lower steering columns. Less than one month after replacement, steering now has a "jump" and a "clunk" at the same position in the steering wheel rotation. these issues where noticed when the vehicle was in motion. If stationary, it was extremely difficult to get the steering to turn at all beyond 30-45 degrees.
- Vehicle speed control
In firestone store parking area perpendicular to service for attendant to fill the rt frt tire. pulled up to attendant , applied brakes and veh surged ahead, struggled to control to no avail. made diffucult u turn to avoid drv into street traffic, crashed other veh, cont'd on jumping 2 inside pk curbs stopping as frame stopped res on curb
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
Jan 2016 got a recall notice on the car june called locall dealer. there response IS they didn't. Know anything about the recall which was that the headlights could go while driving at night.
- Structure › Body
My car failed inspection due to an erosion in the frame. I was told that it was the result of the air conditioner condensation dripping on it. As there was no issue in 2014 and I drove the car fewer that 8000 miles in the year, I am concerned about this issue. The car IS garaged at all times and was driven very infrequently in the winter months. I have had it repaired and it has now passed inspection.
- Exterior lighting
I have read many complaints about this. my headlights go off about 3 blocks from home and then I have to pull the lever back and hold it to put on bright lights. I have been lucky and not been far from home and have to hold brights on, steer and operate blinkers all at one time. I cannot believe…
I have read many complaints about this. my headlights go off about 3 blocks from home and then I have to pull the lever back and hold it to put on bright lights. I have been lucky and not been far from home and have to hold brights on, steer and operate blinkers all at one time. I cannot believe this has not caused a serious accident. I am in process of having an expensive lighting module put in my car. I totally resent them not doing a recall on this. what are they waiting for? it IS an expensive procedure and I will be waiting to get a refund when they finally admit there IS a widespread problem. hate for them to wait until there are x number of deaths or serious injuries. shame on them. *tr
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated while driving various speeds at night, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was driven with caution and then the headlights began to function. The failure recurred twice. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,500.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
Headlights would not turn on when I got into car to go to store at night. also battery has been running down while vehicle IS just sittng in driveway. *tr
- Exterior lighting
TL* the contact owns a 2003 mercury grand marquis. the contact stated that the headlights would flicker on and off sporadically. the dealer repaired the failure by replacing the control module. the manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the defect. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 152,484.
- Exterior lighting
Front headlights are not staying on at night. The sensor seems to be failing or whatever controls the headlights. When I am driving at night the light will come on at dusk, but sometimes without an warning they will just pop off. For this reason, I am fearful of driving at night or in any hazardous driving conditions
- Exterior lighting
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated that the headlights and turn signals failed while he was driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the headlight module was defective. It was replaced several times but the failure continued. The contact…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated that the headlights and turn signals failed while he was driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the headlight module was defective. It was replaced several times but the failure continued. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 3,000 and the current mileage was 70,000.
- Suspension › Rear
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated the rear axle and bearings fail. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they replace the axle and bearings. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. The contact stated the rear axle and bearings fail. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they replace the axle and bearings. The mercury manufacture was called and stated there IS no recall or warranty for his vehicle. The failure mileage was 40,255. updated 3/12/10 *cn updated 06/25/10.*jb
- Suspension › Rear
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. the contact smelled a burning odor coming from the vehicle for several days. while he was changing the rear passenger side tire, he discovered a grease leak. the vehicle IS currently at the dealer and they confirmed that the rear passenger side bearing…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury marquis. the contact smelled a burning odor coming from the vehicle for several days. while he was changing the rear passenger side tire, he discovered a grease leak. the vehicle IS currently at the dealer and they confirmed that the rear passenger side bearing leaked into the brake disc, which could have caused a fire. the manufacturer stated that they only repaired police vehicles with this failure. the current and failure mileages were 112,000.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure the vehicle accelerated. the dealership was alerted however no repairs have been made. the consumer believed the brake and accelerator were designed too close together. Updated 04/06/06. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling
2003 ford mercury marquis lost all power and had to be towed. *ts *jb
- Vehicle speed control
Dt: the contact complained about intermittent sudden acceleration. It occurred when the climate was hot, and the engine was warm. When taking foot off of the accelerator to move it to the brake pedal the engine revved and the ripens warehouse. The dealer completed diagnostic testing, and the problem could not be duplicated. No repairs have been made. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Dt: the caller states that while he driving at 65 mph hit something in the road. There was a loud noise and this caused a hole in the gas tank. The caller said a local mechanic did a quick fix with a screw and some glue so he could get home. Dealer said it would cost a lot more to replace the…
Dt: the caller states that while he driving at 65 mph hit something in the road. There was a loud noise and this caused a hole in the gas tank. The caller said a local mechanic did a quick fix with a screw and some glue so he could get home. Dealer said it would cost a lot more to replace the tank with them and he went to someone else to have it replaced for a cheaper price. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet. *Ak
- Equipment
Dt: the accelerator and the brake pedals are to close together. The consumer thinks that one should be up higher than the other. When you wear work boots, that IS more dangerous. When the consumer hits the brake, if you're not sitting up straight, the consumer's foot IS hitting the accelerator also. The consumer IS trying to remember to keep his foot far enough over. *tt *sb *nm
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Gran marquis LS driver's side wiper will not provide adequate clearing of rain or snow under normal highway road speeds. The wiper arm on the driver side will not clear the drivers side adequately to provide good visibility. the passenger side arm provides proper clearing under all road…
Gran marquis LS driver's side wiper will not provide adequate clearing of rain or snow under normal highway road speeds. The wiper arm on the driver side will not clear the drivers side adequately to provide good visibility. the passenger side arm provides proper clearing under all road conditions and speeds. It has been found that the drivers side will not clear properly above speeds of 40 mph; less if the wind conditions are high. the dealer replaced the drivers wiper arm assembly with a 2002 assembly which he indicated provides a higher pressure on the windshield on the drivers side as the tension was reduced in 2003 models. the replacement cost was at my expense and has not resolved the problem. It still persists. There appears to be a defect in the design of the wiper blade system or a defect in the curvature of the windshield although it's not apparent that the windshield IS the problem.
- Air bags › Frontal
While consumer was driving on an interstate traffic was at a complete stop and a collision occurred, consumer's vehicle was hit from behind, and pushed into another vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy, and vehicle was totaled. driver sustained injuries. *ak the consumer stated that the head rests were to far from the head to be effective. the consumer suffered injuries. *tc
- Steering › Column
After parking the car on the side of the road, I got back in and the steering column wouldn't take the key. it wouldnt turn forward or backward just would fit in the keyhole. Steering column had to be fixed after I had the car towed. The car (2003 mercury grand marquis) was 6 months old with 6,000 miles on it. The dealership said they had this problem in the mercury sables but not the marquis. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Upon getting in and out of the vehicle consumer almost lost an eye. Consumer stated that the door edges were very sharp. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
We bought a used 2003 mercury gr. Marquis,ls, in sep't. 2003. Two days later the check engine light came on. The dealer, mace lincoln mercury, 629 ohio st. Terre haute, in. 47807, worked on the car 8 times without success. I contacted the mercury complaint line twice. Scott shepard, the service…
We bought a used 2003 mercury gr. Marquis,ls, in sep't. 2003. Two days later the check engine light came on. The dealer, mace lincoln mercury, 629 ohio st. Terre haute, in. 47807, worked on the car 8 times without success. I contacted the mercury complaint line twice. Scott shepard, the service manager requested a field engineer from the manufacturer. They refused to send one, but told him to install a new computer, which he did on march 26, 2004. The light came on again april 23. I contacted the manufacturer at 16800 executive plaza dr. Pob 6248, dearborn, mi. 48126 april 27, 2004, without receiving a response. But the mace service manager scott shepard, said they contacted him to perform another diagnostic. Mace has had the car for further work from may 4, until today may 10, without being able to repair it. Now, the mr. Shepard calls me and says, he just learned that the manufacturer was aware that all 2003 gr. Marquis were having a problem with this service engine light. They have promised to send a field engineer. The warranty for the car IS for 3 years or 36,000 miles. We have 27,000 miles on it. in the 8 months we have had the car, it has been worked on 10 times without success. I cannot get the general manager, terry mace to help me, nor will the manufacturer address me directly. I want another [comparable] car or my money back. I paid $17,700 cash for the car. *la
- Air bags
While driving 45 mph driver lost control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a utility pole. upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. driver and passenger sustained injuries, and were transported to the hospital. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are located too close together. This would cause a misapplication to the wrong pedal when braking or accelerating, at the same time. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could not resolve the problem.*ak
Every Mercury Marquis model year
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