NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 80 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis owner complaints

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis, describing incidents dated April 27, 2007 to October 8, 2026.

Most-cited components

Steering 23 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
Service Brakes 10 complaints
Electrical System 9 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Structure 9 complaints

Of the 80 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 80 complaints, owners report 8 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11770830 · Filed October 13, 2026
total collapse of upper immediate steering shaft resulting on total separation/failure and complete loss of steering. this literally separated/fell apart in my hand when i was cleaning the front seat carpeting. i had just finished driving back from a 100 mile trip. if this would have happened on the…
ODI #11765743 · Filed September 21, 2026
My vehicle is from a northern state and came down to [XXX] and my intermediate shaft collapsed after looking up through ford if my recall had ever been done it shows that it had been done but the part that says it was replaced looked like it was never replaced and I had to fix that problem myself…
ODI #11699192 · Filed November 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the lower intermediate shaft was replaced. The contact stated that it was determined that the upper intermediate…

Read all 80 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE08-060: TIRE VALVE CRACKING
Closed April 9, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Improper Repair of Upper Intermediate Shaft

NHTSA #14V704000 · Steering — Rack and Pinion — Pinion Shaft · NHTSA notice

Reported November 5, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 36,888 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14S25 · Owners notified November 19, 2014 · Vehicles built March 23, 2004 – August 30, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Steering Column Lower Bearing May Separate

NHTSA #13V385000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported August 29, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 355,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 60.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13S08 · Owners notified October 23, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Safety consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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 lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

Notes

A separate service campaign applies to vehicles in non-corrosion states not addressed by this safety recall. Owners of these vehicles should contact Ford directly about these vehicles.For the safety recall, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

HUB ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #07V270000 · Suspension — Front — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 8,800 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 07S54 · Owners notified June 22, 2007 · Vehicles built May 16, 2007 – June 25, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.

Safety consequence

IF A HUB FRACTURES, IT MAY POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE WHEEL KNUCKLE, RESULTING IN THE WHEEL BEING RETAINED ONLY BY THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S54.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

2008 Mercury Grand Marquis 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

80 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis.

Steering

ODI #11770830

Incident: October 8, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

total collapse of upper immediate steering shaft resulting on total separation/failure and complete loss of steering. this literally separated/fell apart in my hand when i was cleaning the front seat carpeting. i had just finished driving back from a 100 mile trip. if this would have happened on the freeway, i would have lost all steering of the vehicle resulting in catastrophic injury or death TO myself or others. i called ford and told them what happened. i found out there was a recall on this item. i found out this car was service for this before. even though this car went in for the recall, this item (upper steering shaft) has totally failed again. i have seen that this is COMMON for this steering to fail even after the initial recall "repair". this could have easily resulted in death and ford is willing to do nothing about it. one would think that of all components of a vehicle, the steering system would be safe and reliable. apparently ford does not care. they are aware of my auto failure and that it could cause certain death, but they are not interested in repairing this component that should be safe under all normal driving circumstances.

Steering

ODI #11765743

Incident: September 19, 2026 · Filed: September 21, 2026

My vehicle is from a northern state and came down to [XXX] and my intermediate shaft collapsed after looking up through ford if my recall had ever been done it shows that it had been done but the part that says it was replaced looked like it was never replaced and I had to fix that problem myself and then noticed that my steering wheel was not working properly so I looked under the dash and there was a green retainer that came out of the steering column and now my vehicle has no steering do to this and I believe ford should make this a recall cause a lot of people have had the same problems and I found that out looking it up INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Steering

ODI #11699192

Incident: November 13, 2022 · Filed: November 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the lower intermediate shaft was replaced. The contact stated that it was determined that the upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing did not need to be replaced at the time. Several years after the recall repair was completed, the steering column began lowering unintendedly, and a zip tie was used to keep it in place. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Steering

ODI #11549319

Incident: May 11, 2023 · Filed: October 11, 2023

See attached document from complainant

Steering

ODI #11464285

Incident: May 6, 2022 · Filed: May 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering felt loose. The contact stated that the power steering was still operable however, the vehicle would drift to the left or right with no input on the steering wheel. The contact stated that he would correct the steering and the vehicle would continue to drift to the right and to the left. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed and the mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V385000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11440882

Incident: November 18, 2021 · Filed: November 18, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the wiring harness for the brake pedal sensor was faulty, causing the exterior brake lights to fail to illuminate. The failure almost caused a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to bring the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Steering

ODI #11420733

Incident: June 4, 2021 · Filed: June 13, 2021

Left home the other day I noticed that the steering had become was stiff when the wheels were straight..it wasn't bad turning till it was going straight..the next day the steering became stiff and erratic. It would work sometimes and it would be stiff...found out the lower steering shaft had frozen up..There was a recall back in 2013 doe the lower shaft with is breaking..My car was a Florida car but Ford supposed have fixed it because I was moving back to NY..Have been back in NY for 3 1/2 years now it froze up..The recall for cars in the northern states..Seeing I was moving back to NY they claimed they did the recall..it shouldn't have corroded that fast..I have no way to prove they did the recall or if they faked it..It is cleared as it had been repaired..

Exterior Lighting; Electrical System

ODI #11403459

Incident: December 1, 2020 · Filed: March 17, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK WHILE EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION A FEW MINUTES AFTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11399994

Incident: March 8, 2021 · Filed: March 9, 2021

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR CORNER, AFTER BRAKING MY CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND MADE THE CAR JUMP FORWARD. I HAD TO SLIGHTLY RELEASE THE BRAKE SND BRAKE HARDER TO STOP AND AVOID GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION.

Seat Belts

ODI #11397869

Incident: February 20, 2021 · Filed: February 25, 2021

PASSENGERS SIDE SEATBELT LOCKS

Other Mercury Grand Marquis model years

Check your 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Grand Marquis at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercury VIN