Head-to-head reliability
Mercury Grand Marquis vs FORD F 150
How the Mercury Grand Marquis and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The Grand Marquis averaged about 173 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged about 1,162. The Grand Marquis has 26 recalls and 3 deaths; the F-150 has 151 recalls and 1 death. Both have serious reported issues, so inspect carefully. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercury Grand Marquis or FORD F 150 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 large, rear-wheel-drive sedan often used as a comfortable cruiser. Over 10 years, it averaged about 173 complaints per year, with the most common issues in exterior lighting, electrical system, steering, and vehicle speed control. Owners report recurring turn signal and headlight problems, occasional electrical fires, and steering shaft corrosion that can lead to separation. While the overall complaint rate is lower than the F-150's, the severity of some steering and speed control issues means buyers should inspect carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that sees heavy use as a work and family vehicle. It averaged about 1,162 complaints per year over 10 years, with power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting topping the list. Owners frequently describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches that can cause sudden loss of power or other safety risks. The high complaint volume and numerous recalls suggest that while popular, this truck demands thorough pre-purchase checks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercury Grand Marquis | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,726 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 120 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 172.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 80 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
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 report turn signals blinking faster than normal even after replacing bulbs, and headlights flickering intermittently, often linked to the lighting control module. These issues can make it hard to see or be seen, increasing crash risk.
Complaints include windshield wipers activating on their own and a case where a 2011 Grand Marquis caught fire due to a wiper malfunction. Tire pressure monitors also give false low-pressure warnings. Such faults can lead to fires or distract the driver.
Owners describe steering column shaft corrosion in states with heavy road salt, which can cause the shaft to separate and lead to loss of steering control. This is a serious safety concern that may require immediate repair.
Several reports mention the car lurching forward unexpectedly when shifting into drive or while braking, sometimes causing crashes into walls. This sudden acceleration can be frightening and dangerous in tight spaces.
“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 ?”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode stuck in 5th gear and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues often require costly repairs and can leave the truck undrivable.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting power train, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused a back window to shatter. Electrical faults can strand the driver or cause injury.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting owners experience frequent bulb failures or other lighting malfunctions that affect visibility and safety.
Engine issues appear in the top components, though specific owner reports are not provided. Buyers should be aware that engine-related complaints exist and may involve performance or reliability problems.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Mercury Grand Marquis or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercury Grand Marquis has far fewer complaints per year (about 173) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means the Grand Marquis may have fewer overall problems, but the F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and heavier use. Buyers should weigh the lower complaint rate against the severity of issues like steering separation in the Grand Marquis and transmission failures in the F-150.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 6.7 times more complaints per year than the Mercury Grand Marquis, but it also sells in much higher numbers.
- Steering column separation due to corrosion is a reported safety risk on the Grand Marquis, while the F-150's most common serious issue is transmission limp mode and lead frame failure.
- The Grand Marquis has 3 reported deaths and 80 injuries in 10 years, while the F-150 has 1 death and 297 injuries, indicating different crash patterns.
- Both vehicles have electrical system complaints, but the Grand Marquis has a reported fire from wiper malfunction, and the F-150 has a rear window shatter from defroster short.
- Check for any signs of steering column corrosion or separation, especially if the car has been in a salt-belt state; look for recall 13V385 completion.
- Test all exterior lights, including turn signals and headlights, for flickering or fast blinking, and check for any electrical smells or wiper malfunctions.
- Test drive the truck extensively to see if it enters limp mode or gets stuck in a gear, and ask for any transmission repair records, especially for lead frame replacement.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any cracks or signs of shattering; also check for electrical issues like output speed sensor codes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially steering recalls for the Grand Marquis and transmission recalls for the F-150.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas: steering and electrical for the Grand Marquis, transmission and electrical for the F-150.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual lurching, delayed acceleration, or warning lights on the dashboard.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission services on the F-150 and any steering or electrical repairs on the Grand Marquis.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercury Grand Marquis vs FORD F 150
- Mercury Grand Marquis total complaints
- 1,726
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercury Grand Marquis total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercury Grand Marquis avg complaints/year
- 172.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Mercury Grand Marquis top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN