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 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 13% |
| Suspension | 16 | 8% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 7% |
| Steering | 14 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 5% |
| Tires | 11 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 5% |
| Power train | 9 | 4% |
| Visibility | 9 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My significant other and I were in an accident on the interstate. The airbags deployed and the seat belts failed to lock in place.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle had a leaking intake manifold. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be repla
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY HEADLIGHTS, HAZARDS, AND TURN SIGNALS ALL JUST RANDOMLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THEY HAVE NOT COME BACK ON SINCE. AFTER READING FORUMS I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE LCM BUT MY YEAR MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I B
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
WHILE DRIVING PINS IN STEERING COULM BECAME LOSSE AND CAUSED CAR TO SHUT OFF WHILE AT STOP LIGHT HAD TO TOW TO SERVICE SHOP; HAD FOUND COMMON FORD ISSUE WITH LOOSE STEERING PINS IN 1999 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS SHOULD BE R
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ON THE 1999 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS 4.6 L V8 THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND BUSTED WIDE OPEN CAUSING ALL THE COOLANT / ANTIFREEZE TO POUR OUT. FROM WHAT I GATHER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS YEARS AGO AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I WENT TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON. NO HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, DASH LIGHTS, HAZARD FLASHERS OR DOME LIGHT. THE 2003-2005 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME THING WITH THE LCM FAILING. PLEASE LOOK INTO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO PAR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
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 sha
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPM
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 69 | 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 203 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 26 of them (13%). There are 5 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 1999 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.