10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 21,625 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. While the vehicle was parked the contact heard a loud booming noise from inside his home. The contact noticed flames underneath the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
- San Jose, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 60 mph, the cruise control would not activate. As of October 1, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 72,000.
- Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA
: the contact stated the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic but was unable to identify the problem. The problem was with the vehicle speed controls as acceleration was sluggish and the accelerator pedal needed to be pumped to increase speed. At other times the vehicle would accelerate uncontrollably for no reason and the accelerator pedal would have to be pumped before the speed would reduce to normal. While traveling at 50 mph, on a dry paved road in clear conditions, the vehicle accelerated out of control. The contact veered left to avoid a head on collision with a vehicle directly ahead and was unable to slow or stop. The vehicle entered a four way stop intersection and struck the passenger side of another vehicle, that was passing through the intersection from left to right. The contact (20 years old) was injured and there was one fatality (aged 79). A police report was taken and an investigation was conducted. A fence and palm tree were damaged, and photos were taken. The service dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The name and address listed is for the attorney of the contact. The contact was jose garces, of P.O. Box 126, donna Texas.
- Edinburg, TX, USA
Ltr fm louis hettinger(ky) owner of a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis 4-door vehicle question if vehicle should be recalled because of fast idle. The iac valve was replaced on the vehicle but did not help the problem. The service dealer stated that there was nothing else they could do to resolve the issue. There were other consumers who experienced the same problem. (there was a fast idle upon start up and the vehicle would slow down at short notice. When the problem occurred, there was no way to control the vehicle)
- Lousiville, KY, USA
Vehicle started down shifting while traveling on wet pavement up a slight incline with the cruise control engaged. Accelerator pedal went to the floor. Consumer tried to disengage cruise control by pumping the brakes, but the car began to slip and engine began to race.
- Hermitage, TN, USA
Cruise control periodically failed.
- Yucaipa, CA, USA
Vehicle accelerated after having shifted the gear into park, causes vehicle to take off while consumer's foot was on brake pedal. Vehicle continued to lurch four to five blocks, and landed into someone's front yard. One injury was sustaned. Dealer notified.
- Custer City, OK, USA
- Lyons, IL, USA