Owners' Reviews

The 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis has been the most problematic one my family has ever had, and we've had them constantly since the late '70s. This one had electrical issues from the get-go. The door locks and windows and wipers all got funky at least once, and one door lock has never fully functioned. The AC has gone out a few times, the brakes need replacing more often than a NY cabbie's, we've had to replace engine coils at least 4 times, the seatbelts lock in place so you're pinned to the seat---all-around fun. My mother touts its heft as a safety feature, while I feel its safety is diminished if you have to sit in front of the shoulder strap to breathe, or find your brakes wearing down to nubs every other year. It also sheds its grille pieces everywhere so it looks like a toothless creature. It's a comfortable car to ride in for long trips, but it doesn't feel reliable. Thinking back, we did have a fair amount of issues with these cars over the years. Next time I buy, I want another Subaru Legacy, which in 10 years gave me zero problems, not even with the sunroof. Last note: I got to this site looking for a solution when the rest of my family was stranded in the car and it wouldn't shift gears for them to drive. I found a solution here suggested for a '96 Marquis: pump the brake and wiggle the wheel while you try to shift to Neutral. My story then mistakenly ended up with the '92 Marquis heading, but I want to make sure 2003 Grand Marquis owners know the fix will work for them if their gearshift is stuck in Park. Then, as someone elsewhere suggested, if you can't go to the shop right away, "park" in neutral with the emergency brake so you don't get stuck in Park again.

Bought 2003 new..Always had "slippage" type noise when automatic transmission shifted at 42 mph. Dealer said it was normal, did nothing. Now have over 95,000 and makes worse noise at Every Shift! Developed crack in leather seat when 3 months old & Dealer wouldn't take care of it. They didn't deserve to be a Mercury Dealer!! NOW they won't be, as of Jan. 1st, 2011 Jacksonville,Fl.