HEAD LIGHT GOES ON-OFF FREQUENTLY. AUTO DELAY OFF SWITCH IS OPERATIONAL EVEN THOUGH HEAD LIGHT GETTING ON-OFF. I FOUND THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE.
1992 Mercury Grand Marquis
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Marquis years
Owner complaints for the 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Marquis years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 255 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
23 reportsFOR THE SECOND TIME IN APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR, THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TURNING OFF AN ON WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY 4 NIGHTS AGO. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH , BURNED WIRE AND BURNED CONNECTOR WERE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE OVERHEATING WIR…
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FOR THE SECOND TIME IN APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR, THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TURNING OFF AN ON WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY 4 NIGHTS AGO. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO, THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH , BURNED WIRE AND BURNED CONNECTOR WERE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE OVERHEATING WIRING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS HOT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS HOT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE.AFTER CONTINUALLY SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, THE LIGHTS EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE.AFTER CONTINUALLY SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF, THE LIGHTS EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
ON PRIOR OCCASIONS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF INTERIOR LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. RECENTLY,EXPERIENCED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS ON 92 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS DURING TRIP OVER THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL HAD THE LIGHTS NOT CAME BACK ON AFTER I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN.…
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ON PRIOR OCCASIONS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF INTERIOR LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. RECENTLY,EXPERIENCED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS ON 92 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS DURING TRIP OVER THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL HAD THE LIGHTS NOT CAME BACK ON AFTER I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH, I DISCOVERED A WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHOWS INDICATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO BURNING AND MELTING. SIMILAR TO RECALL ON THE FORD CONTOUR. (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V103000 ). I PLAN TO CONTACT FORD AND SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE FOR FREE AND OR GIVE ME THE PART NUMBER OF THE HARNESS CONNECTOR PART SO THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO REPLACE. I PLAN ON KEEPING BOTH THE FAULTY CONNECTOR AND THE ORIGINAL SWITCH IN THE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE MECHANISMS OF THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND PARKING LIGHTS WERE NOT LIT EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING PROPERLY. THE FUSE FOR THAT CIRCUIT WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOT BLOWN. THE DASHBOARD WAS DISASSEMBLED FOR REMOVAL OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND PARKING LIGHTS WERE NOT LIT EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING PROPERLY. THE FUSE FOR THAT CIRCUIT WAS CHECKED AND IT WAS NOT BLOWN. THE DASHBOARD WAS DISASSEMBLED FOR REMOVAL OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE WIRE TO THE TAIL LAMP/PARKING LAMP/INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD BECOME HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE WIRE ITSELF. THE CONNECTORS FOR THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ARE EN-BLOCK AND CONSIST OF 7 CONNECTORS IN ONE BLOCK AND 3 CONNECTORS IN A SEPARATE BLOCK. THE 7 CONNECTOR BLOCK HAD BURNT PLASTIC IN THE AREA OF THE TAIL LIGHT WIRE, AND THE 3 CONNECTOR BLOCK WAS WARPED FROM THE HEAT. THIS IS A 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS THAT WAS BUILT IN MAY OF 1991. REPAIRS ARE AWAITING SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PARTS. *NM
THE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY ON MY 1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS THAT CONTROLS THE HEADLAMPS, TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAS FAILED TWICE WITHIN A 7 YEAR PERIOD REQUIRING FULL REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, ALL BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 40 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS WILL START TO GO ON AND OFF. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. NLM
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE DISCOLORED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BE EXTREMELY DIM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
HEADLIGHTS WOULD ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, HAD CAUSED WIRES TO BE HOT.*AK *JB
Official recalls
308V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
Feb 4, 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 3, 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
99V124000 · Electrical System
May 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7EA02025 · Speed Control Deactivation Switch Fires
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Jun 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
DP02007 · FUEL-FED Fires
Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.
SQ01014 · Post Rear End Collision Fires
Opened Nov 27, 2001 · Closed Oct 3, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
There is no summary currently available
RQ01002 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Sep 20, 2001 · Closed Sep 6, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA95011 · Undercarriage Fuel Line Interference
Opened Mar 29, 1995 · Closed Jan 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE94077 · Fuel Line Interference
Opened Nov 4, 1994 · Closed Mar 29, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93086 · Hood FLY-UP While Driving
Opened Oct 1, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Illustration