Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 186 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 30 | 16% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 13% |
| Vehicle speed control | 22 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 11% |
| Steering | 16 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 5% |
| Visibility | 10 | 5% |
| Air bags | 9 | 5% |
| Seats | 8 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Driving on the NYS Thruway with Cruise Control on and it dropped out. I tried to reengage several times and it would not engage. On the way home I tried it again it kicked on and kicked off right away and since this in
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION EXISTS WHEREAS THE HEADLIGHTS CAN RANDOMLY FLICKER OFF DURING DRIVING, ONLY STOPPED BY KICKING THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE ABOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REPEATEDLY WITH LIMITED AND TEMPORARY RESU
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
1993 GRAND MARQUIS CAUGHT FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY, TOTAL LOSS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BRAKES FAILED, BRAKES LIGHT WENT ON PULLED OVER CHECKED THE FLUID IT WAS EMPTY I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO MY SERVICE STATION . BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED , IN ORDER TO FIX THE BRAKE LINES THEY WOULD HAD TO TAKE THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LEAKS OIL FROM THE OIL PAN. ROUTINELY, HE MUST HAVE THE OIL PAN TEMPORARILY PATCHED TO PREVENT A TOTAL LOSS OF OIL. HE C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS GOING THROUGH RAILROAD TRACKS AND THEN 2 DAYS LATER IT CAN ONLY GO ON REVERSE AND NOT ABLE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE WITHOUT KICKING HARD AND THEN VERY SLOW MOTION. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*1993 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE PARKED IN THE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE FIRE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. T
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 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.
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD
Risk: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 69 | 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 186 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 30 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.