Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 26 | 39% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 3 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Wheels | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPROACHING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC O
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKEL. A SPRING ON THE RELEASE BUTTON BREAKS AND NO LONGER LATCHES CORRECTLY. THE BUCKEL WILL HOLD IF IT IS SHAKEN BUT RELEASES EASILY. THIS IS THE SECOND 1987 GRAND MARQUIS THAT I HAVE OWENED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
FUSE LINKS FAILED TO OPEN CAUSING WIRES TO BURN I AM A E.T..
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO FAILED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
CABLE THAT RUNS FROM TRANSMISSION TO THROTTLE CAME LOOSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ENGINE OIL PAN HAS RUSTED OUT WITHIN 100,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
VEHICLE PARKED FOR SOMETIME. STARTED VEHICLE & WAS DRIVING WHEN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS INSIDE VEHICLE. HAD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. STOPPED & LIFTED HOOD. FLAMES SHUT OUT. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO PUT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTA
Risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Risk: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Fix: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Risk: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Fix: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 59 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 26 of them (39%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.