1997 Ford Grand marquis problems

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The Mercury Grand Marquis is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from the 1975 until 2011 model years. Introduced as the flagship sub-model of the Mercury Marquis in 1975, the Grand Marquis became a stand-alone model line in 1983, serving as the largest Mercury sedan. The model line served as the sedan counterpart of the Mercury Colony Park station wagon up to 1991. The fourth generation was the basis of the 2003 and 2004 Mercury Marauder.

From 1979 until 2011, the Grand Marquis shared the rear-wheel drive (RWD) Panther platform with the Ford LTD Crown Victoria (Ford Crown Victoria after 1992), and from 1980, the Lincoln Town Car. For over three decades, the Ford and Mercury sedans were functionally identical, with two of the three generations of the model line sharing the same roofline. The Grand Marquis was available as a four-door sedan for nearly its entire run; from 1988 to its final year in 2011, it was the only body style that was offered. A four-door hardtop was available from 1975 to 1978 and a two-door hardtop coupe from 1975 to 1987.

The Grand Marquis was the second-best-selling Mercury line (after the Cougar) with 2.7 million units produced; at 36 years of continuous production, the Grand Marquis was the longest-running Mercury nameplate (the Cougar, 34 years). Ford manufactured the Grand Marquis, alongside the Mercury Marquis, Mercury Marauder, Ford (LTD) Crown Victoria, and (beginning in 2007) the Lincoln Town Car, at two facilities: the St. Louis Assembly Plant in Hazelwood, Missouri (1979-1985) and the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Southwold, Ontario, Canada (1986-2011).

Ford announced the discontinuation of the Mercury brand in 2010, but a few 2011 model-year Mercurys were made. The last Grand Marquis - and the final Mercury branded car - was produced on January 4, 2011, at St. Thomas Assembly.

1997 Ford Grand marquis

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Common 1997 Ford Grand marquis problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis, several common problems have been reported:

  • Visibility Problems: Another common issue reported by owners of the 1997 Grand Marquis is visibility problems. Premature windshield cracks were a frequent complaint, attributed to improper windshield retention during production. In some cases, windshield wiper modules also faced operational challenges under heavy loads. Ford issued a recall in 2006 to address these visibility issues.
  • Transmission Leaks: Owners have reported transmission fluid leaks when the car is parked, often due to leaky fluid pumps. While this issue did not always result in transmission rebuilds, it could lead to serious problems if not addressed promptly. Rebuilding a four-speed automatic gearbox in the Grand Marquis could be a costly repair, highlighting the importance of addressing leaks early on.
  • Intake Manifold Cracks: The second and third-generation models of the Grand Marquis were prone to coolant leaks caused by cracked intake manifolds. Ford initially used a plastic manifold that was susceptible to cracks, leading to coolant leaks and engine overheating. However, the manufacturer later updated the manifold with a metal coolant pipe to resolve this issue.

These common problems reported by owners of the 1997 Ford Grand Marquis highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of steering, visibility, transmission, or coolant system issues to ensure the longevity and safety of the vehicle.

1997 Ford Grand marquis engine

How many miles can a Grand Marquis last?

200,000 miles

They will go 200,000 miles easily .

Do Grand Marquis have transmission problems?

Problem Description

Transmission problems are common in this model, often as a result of a failed front pump.

Why did they stop making Mercury Marquis?

As Ford Motor Company expanded its use of front-wheel drive, the Marquis ended production after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Mercury Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus). As the Grand Marquis, the nameplate continued on until the closure of Mercury during the 2011 model year.

Why is my Grand Marquis shaking?

The most common reasons a Mercury Grand Marquis shakes when braking are bad brake rotors, bad brake pads, or a bad wheel bearing.

Do Grand Marquis have transmission problems?

Problem Description

Transmission problems are common in this model, often as a result of a failed front pump.

How long can Grand Marquis last?

200,000 miles

They will go 200,000 miles easily .

Why did they stop making Mercury Marquis?

As Ford Motor Company expanded its use of front-wheel drive, the Marquis ended production after the 1986 model year, replaced by the Mercury Sable (the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Taurus).

What engine is in a Grand Marquis?

The Grand Marquis has a standard V8 engine that offers plenty of passing power and delivers a smooth, boat-like ride.

1997 Ford Grand marquis car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Grand marquis problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Ford Grand marquis vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1997 Ford Grand marquis complaints

The NHTSA has received 19 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford Grand marquis.

2004-09-07

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-09-07
  • VIN: 2MELM74W5VX
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED IN SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE LINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
2004-06-04

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-04-28
  • VIN: 2MELM75W5VX
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEARS AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME BROKE AND COULD NOT FIX IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED IT WOULD COST THE CONSUMER $3862 TO REPAIR IT. *AK THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE THAT HAD COME FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA WHEN BRAKING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. *SC *JB
2004-04-23

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-04-23
  • VIN: 2MELM74W8VX
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
2003-12-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-11-17
  • VIN: 2MELM75W1VX
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS VERY HIGH BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE COOLANT TO GO INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
2003-10-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-08-29
  • VIN: 2MELM75W2VX
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK OUT.*AK *JB
2003-07-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A COOLANT SMELL COMING INTO THE CAB . ALSO HEAVY SMOKE COMIING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATES THERE IS A HAIRLINE CRACK ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK
2003-07-17

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. MANIFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK
2003-06-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 9999
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: 1997 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. *MR THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER AND FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE STEAM CONTINUED TO ESCAPE AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CRACKED MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD BECAUSE THEY HAVE USED PLASTIC INTAKE FOR SOME TIME AND THE VEHICLES WERE SUBJECT TO HIGHER TEMPERATURES AND WOULD STOP IN TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. *SCC *JB
2003-05-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. *JB
2003-04-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-04-29
  • VIN: 2MELM74W8VX
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE VEHICLES FAULTY REGULATOR CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. *NLM
2003-04-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-04-29
  • VIN: 2MELM74W8VX
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT'S TURN SIGNALS AS WELL AS OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. *NLM
2003-04-11

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-04-11
  • VIN: 2MELM75W0VX
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRAME CRACKED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
2003-03-26

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-02-19
  • VIN: 2MELMT4W9VX
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THE VEHICLES INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND RESULTED IN COOLANT LEAK. *NLM *SCC
2002-12-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2002-11-26
  • VIN: PLEASE PROV
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER STATED THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.TS *JB
2002-06-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: CONSUMER CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN SEARCH FOR PARTS TO REPAIR A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LINE. PARTS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BY FORD COMPANY . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
2001-09-13

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-07-11
  • VIN: 2MELM74WXVX
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND. THEN, CONSUMER SAW WATER POURING OUT OF BACK OF VEHICLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT, AND VEHICLE STALLED ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED GAS STATION ,AND THEY REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
2000-08-02

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: BRAKE LIGHT LENS COVER HAVE STRESS CRACKS WHICH RESLUTS IN WATER GETTING INTO THE LAMP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
2000-07-07

STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-06-10
  • VIN: 2MELM75W9VX
  • Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT 60 MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR CRACKED CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF FLUID RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER,AND CONTROL DUE TO FAN BELT GETTING WET , STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND POWER COMPONETS SHUTTING DOWN. CONTROL OF VEHICLE DECREASED QUICKLY, RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG WIRES BEING DAMAGED AND PLUGS FAILING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.
1999-02-01

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-12-15
  • VIN: 2MELM75W8VX
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. YH
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1997 Ford Grand marquis problems:

1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems and Complaints - 12 Issues
1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems and Complaints - 12 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1997-mercury-grand-marquis/problems

Problem with your 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis? Our list of 12 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis.

Q&A: 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Intermittent Stalling Problems ...
Q&A: 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Intermittent Stalling Problems ...
https://www.justanswer.com/mercury/1s5h2-1997-mercury-grand-marquis-intermittent-stalling-problems.html

Feb 2, 2009 ... 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis has intermittent stalling problems. Crank sensor amd fuel filter have already been replaced.

97 Grand Marquis Starting Issues | 4.6L Based Powertrains ...
97 Grand Marquis Starting Issues | 4.6L Based Powertrains ...
https://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2627278

CrownVic.net is a forum and information center dedicated to the Ford Crown Victoria and its siblings: Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury ...

Q&A: 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS - Common Problems ...
Q&A: 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS - Common Problems ...
https://www.justanswer.com/mercury/4bo9h-ford-grand-marquis-1996-mercury-grand-marquis.html

Dec 10, 2010 ... I have a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis with 4.6. I am having a hard time getting the car to start on cold mornings, the - Answered by a ...

History and Reputation of the 4.6L Engine Family | 4.6L Based ...
History and Reputation of the 4.6L Engine Family | 4.6L Based ...
https://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4045380

... Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, and Lincoln Town Car ... In the Powertrain Archive, there is a thread on common mechanical problems and ...

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1997 Ford Grand marquis photo