Head-to-head reliability
Mercury Grand Marquis vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mercury Grand Marquis and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercury Grand Marquis vs Chevrolet Silverado: Over 10 years, the Grand Marquis averaged 173 complaints per year and had 26 recalls, while the Silverado averaged 823 complaints per year and had 101 recalls. The Silverado also had more crash-related complaints (233 vs. 120). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercury Grand Marquis or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercury Grand Marquis
The Mercury Grand Marquis is a full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan that many owners rely on for comfortable, long-distance driving. Over 10 years, it averaged about 173 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving exterior lighting, electrical glitches, steering, and unintended acceleration. While the overall complaint rate is lower than some trucks, the types of failures—like steering column separation and sudden lurching—can be serious. Buyers should expect a car that is generally simple but has known trouble spots that need careful inspection.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that sees heavy use as a work and family vehicle. It averaged roughly 823 complaints per year over the same period, with engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems dominating the list. Many complaints describe sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss, often on very new trucks. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests that while capable, the Silverado can be demanding to own if not properly maintained.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercury Grand Marquis | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,726 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 120 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 172.6 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 80 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercury Grand Marquis
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING747
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM213
- 03STEERING186
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL184
- 05AIR BAGS140
Owners frequently report turn signals blinking faster than normal even after replacing bulbs, and headlights that flicker intermittently. These issues can make it hard to see or be seen, and may point to a failing lighting control module.
Complaints include windshield wipers that turn on by themselves and a tire pressure monitor that gives false low-pressure warnings. In one case, a wiper malfunction led to a vehicle fire, so electrical gremlins should be taken seriously.
There are reports of steering column shaft separation due to corrosion, especially in states that use road salt. This can cause a sudden loss of steering control, and some owners received recall notices for the issue.
Some owners describe the car lurching forward unexpectedly when shifting into drive or while braking, sometimes resulting in crashes into walls. This unintended acceleration pattern is alarming and should be checked during a test drive.
“THE LEFT TURN SIGNALS (FRONT, REAR & DASH) BLINK FASTER THAN THE RIGHT ONES INDICATING A BURNT OUT BULB EVEN THOUGH THE LEFT BULBS WORK. WE REPLACED THE FRONT & REAR BULBS TWICE AND THEY WORKED NORMAL FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THEN THEY REVERT TO BLINKING F…”
“INTERMITTANTLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE (LCM) PROBLEM ?”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' There are also complaints of excessive diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These issues can leave you stranded and are costly to fix.
Complaints include transmissions that suddenly shift into neutral while driving slowly, such as in parking garages. This loss of power to the wheels can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate internal transmission problems.
Reports describe a sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as screens going blank and the truck shutting off. These electrical faults can affect critical safety systems.
Owners report brake pedal firmness but ineffective braking, and instances where the truck shuts off entirely during low-speed maneuvers. Brake problems on a heavy truck are a major safety concern and should be diagnosed immediately.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercury Grand Marquis — 26 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermedi…
The risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if neces…
The defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinoi…
The risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lo…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermedi…
The risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if neces…
The defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinoi…
The risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lo…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
Mercury Grand Marquis or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mercury Grand Marquis has far fewer complaints per year (about 173) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). In practice, this means you are likely to encounter fewer reported problems with the Grand Marquis, but the issues it does have—like steering and unintended acceleration—can still be serious. The Silverado's higher complaint volume suggests a greater chance of needing repairs, especially for engine, transmission, and brake systems.
Key differences
- The Grand Marquis averages about 173 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 823, meaning the Silverado has roughly five times as many complaints annually.
- Grand Marquis owners most often report lighting, electrical, steering, and unintended acceleration issues; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, transmission failures, brake loss, and electrical glitches.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls over 10 years versus 26 for the Grand Marquis, indicating more frequent safety-related fixes.
- Both vehicles have 3 reported deaths in the data, but the Silverado has more crash-related complaints (233 vs. 120) and injuries (160 vs. 80).
- Check for any signs of steering column corrosion or separation, especially if the car has been driven in states that use road salt; look for recall paperwork for steering shaft issues.
- Test all exterior lights, including turn signals and headlights, for flickering or fast blinking, and verify that the wipers do not activate on their own.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden engine shutdowns, transmission slipping into neutral, or warning messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start'.
- Check for brake performance—if the pedal feels firm but the truck does not stop normally, or if the screens go blank, it could indicate a serious electrical or brake issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm that all safety recalls have been performed, especially for steering on the Grand Marquis and fuel pump or brake issues on the Silverado.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific trouble areas: steering and lighting for the Grand Marquis; engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system for the Silverado.
- During a test drive, deliberately test the turn signals, headlights, wipers, and brakes, and note any unusual noises, warning lights, or lurching.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been used in harsh conditions (e.g., road salt states for the Grand Marquis, heavy towing for the Silverado).
- Verify that the tire pressure monitoring system works correctly, as both vehicles have complaints about false warnings.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercury Grand Marquis or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercury Grand Marquis vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mercury Grand Marquis total complaints
- 1,726
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mercury Grand Marquis total recalls
- 26
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mercury Grand Marquis avg complaints/year
- 172.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Mercury Grand Marquis top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE