Complaints
370
Crashes
12
Fires
7
Injuries
13
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#155 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Avg mileage:80,409 mi
Fires:1
#228 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
#321 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:134,474 mi
Considering a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 55 | — | 1 | 80,409 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 28 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 21 | — | — | 134,474 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 21 | — | — | 75,432 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 21 | — | 1 | 85,082 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 19 | — | — | 65,687 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 2 | 1 | 120,080 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 10 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 1 | — | 150,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 8 | — | — | 76,771 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 7 | — | — | 84,155 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 81,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | 1 | 144,362 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 5 | — | — | 80,224 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 118,875 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
55
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,409
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,474
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,432
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,082
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,687
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
120,080
Suspension:Front
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,000
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,771
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,155
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,000
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
144,362
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,224
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,875
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Grand Marquis Years
1997 Mercury Grand Marquis — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis has 370 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe with 55 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe (55 complaints, avg 80,409 mi); Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System (28 complaints); Engine & Cooling (21 complaints, avg 134,474 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 93,374 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis include 12 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mercury Grand Marquis reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99