1985 Mercury Grand Marquis problems & reliability
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 11 | 52% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 19% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 14% |
| Equipment | 2 | 10% |
| Engine | 1 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 5% |
| Power Train | 1 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 5% |
| Tires | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1985 mercury grand marquis. While the contact's aunt was driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was due to no pressure in the fuel line and the fuel pump…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Feb 9, 2018
“About, 2001, I received a letter from someone about a part defect/1985 1/2 merc.gr.marquis 2dr.[keep stopping/cut out when I was at a stop light. Can't remember what they called it.] sent in forms-[stated not to contact ford motor co.], well I read about the same thing in the news paper about california's problem…”
Electrical System · filed Sep 16, 2005
“Vehicle has low power, stalls, always on high idle when started, transmission jerks, checked with dealer and they have no information on recalls although your data base shows numerous recalls concerning these problems. I purchased this vehicle from my father. He has never received a notice of any of the recalls. How…”
Power Train · filed Mar 26, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91125 · opened Sep 11, 1991 · closed Jan 15, 1992
Technical service bulletins
21 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc
9888 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 1998
A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc
9874 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 13, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.