Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
143Complaints
7Recalls
8Crashes
8Fires
5Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Exterior Lighting (6.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Exterior Lighting complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 719 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Exterior Lighting
9 · 6.3%
No official action
—
Vehicle Speed Control
8 · 5.6%
Recalled
Recall 08V051000 · Recall 07V336000
Suspension
8 · 5.6%
No official action
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
7 · 4.9%
Investigation closed
DP05005
Exterior Lighting:headlights
6 · 4.2%
No official action
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
6 · 4.2%
Investigation closed
DP05005
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 6.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8 · 5.6%
SUSPENSION8 · 5.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7 · 4.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS6 · 4.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6 · 4.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT6 · 4.2%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6 · 4.2%
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY6 · 4.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6 · 4.2%
Percentages are the share of the 143 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE…”NHTSA complaint 10823801 — filed 02/02/2016 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“LOW/HIGH BEAM LIGHTS INOPERATIVE IN PARK OR DRIVE, BULBS & WIRING CHECKS GOOD, 25 AMP FUSE WAS BLOWN, BUT REPLACED FUSE CAUSED NO CHANGE.”NHTSA complaint 10810807 — filed 12/16/2015 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT, THAN ON, AND OUT. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR MY WIFE DRIVING WITH KIDS.”NHTSA complaint 10778737 — filed 09/30/2015 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Exterior lighting issues are the most-reported category, cited in 9 of 143 NHTSA complaints (6.3%), followed by vehicle speed control (8), suspension (8), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
143 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 5 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15E082000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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