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 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis, and it carries 2 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 | 18 | 29% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 25% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 10% |
| Power train | 5 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 8% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR IN PERFECT WEATHER, MY W/W MICHELIN XZ4 215/70/15M/S BLEW OUT ON MY GRAND MARQUIS FROM THE CENTER/TOP OF THE TIRE(NOT SIDEWALL). THERE WERE NO ROAD HAZARDS. THE TIRE HAS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1989 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE ENGINE REVVED UP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE HE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT,
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL A BRAND NEW CRAFT SILVER 651 BATTERY IT STARTED SPARKING. THE RETAIL STORE WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE BATTERY WILL STOP SPARKING ONCE INSTALLED. CONSUMER INSTALLED THE BATTERY
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE PLASTIC BUSHING KICKBACK WIRING LOCATED ON TOP OF TRANSMISS HAS DETERIOATED AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DAMAGED, AND WASNOT OPERATIONAL.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
VEHICLE AXLE BROKE CAUSING WHEEL TO COME OFF.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO COME OFF THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE SPUN OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO REST IN A DITCH. THE WHEEL CR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACCELERATION, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. *TS *JB
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE VEHICLE FRAME HAD APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET OF RUST AND CORROSION. THE RUST WAS ALSO NOTICED BY THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CROSS MEMBER. THE ENGINE OIL PAN RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED AN OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS CONTROLLABLE. PULLED OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC. STOPPED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM TIRE. CONTACTED TRIPLE AAA AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 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.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 59 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 18 of them (29%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 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 68/100. 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.