Complaints
168
Crashes
9
Fires
9
Injuries
5
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:206,800 mi
#28 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:123,390 mi
Crash-related:2
#38 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:57,667 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | 206,800 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | 2 | — | 123,390 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 2 | 1 | 57,667 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | 1 | 92,975 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | 83,000 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | — | — | 57,500 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 6 | — | — | 64,149 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | 85,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 | — | — | 73,467 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — |
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
206,800
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,390
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
57,667
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,975
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,500
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,149
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,467
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Grand Marquis Years
1998 Mercury Grand Marquis — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis has 168 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (9 complaints, avg 206,800 mi); Suspension Failures (8 complaints, avg 123,390 mi); Unintended Acceleration (8 complaints, avg 57,667 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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 99,546 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis include 9 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 1 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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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