1989 Mercury Grand Marquis problems & reliability
58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 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.
2 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 0 occupant deaths. 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 → | 16 | 28% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 14 | 24% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 10% |
| Power Train | 6 | 10% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 9% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 9% |
| Tires | 3 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 2% |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While driving at approximately 25 miles per hour in perfect weather, my w/w michelin xz4 215/70/15m/s blew out on my grand marquis from the center/top of the tire(not sidewall). There were no road hazards. The tire has a large gash, and extensively splayed steel belts exposed/torn. Luckily I was only a block from home…”
Tires · filed Oct 3, 2005
“Dt: the consumer owns a 1989 mercury grand marquis. The engine revved up which caused the vehicle to move forward while he had his foot on the brake. The first time this incident happened it did not cause an accident, but the second occurrence, he rear ended another vehicle. *jb *sc”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed May 19, 2005
“When attempting to install a brand new craft silver 651 battery it started sparking. The retail store was contacted, and they indicated that the battery will stop sparking once installed. Consumer installed the battery and it blew up the alternator. Retail store district manager was contacted. He inspected the…”
Electrical System · filed Sep 28, 2004
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
28 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis. The 10 most recent:
Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm. *tt
02107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 27, 2002
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 now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt
99816 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 3, 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
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 1989 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 1989 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.