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1988 Mercury Grand MarquisProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 73 owner complaints about the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year25% below the Grand Marquis median · #16 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7339 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem36Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 10, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis has problems

73 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system3621
Vehicle speed control1210
Engine and engine cooling73
Fuel system, gasoline50
Seat belts40
Power train40
Tires40
Visibility30
Steering31
5 other systems71

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Mercury Grand Marquis recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: retractor

Recall 88V-028 · Mar 8, 1988 · 21,200 vehicles

Risk. SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Grand Marquis year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Marquis median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LINE PUNCTURESPE91125 · closed Jan 15, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Grand Marquis owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM IGNITION SWITCH. SOMEONE ASSISTED OWNER IN SHUTTING IT DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 983586 · Apr 26, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN, FIRE DISTINQUISHED IT'S SELF, WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNT. *AK
Complaint 983309 · Apr 22, 1996
IGNITION SWITCH / STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN HEAT UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2 OCCASSION AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH UNDER RECALL.*SLC
Complaint 899500 · Nov 27, 2001

Own a 1988 Grand Marquis?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.