Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
325–50K
550–75K
375–100K
7100–150K
0150K+
23 reports with mileage · 4 unknown
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.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
27 reports
55,000 miles · Aug 8, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AXLE OIL ON HIS WHEELS. HE REMOVED THE WHEEL AND BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY REPAIR HUNDREDS OF THESE FAILURES PER YEAR. THE PARTS WERE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AXLE OIL ON HIS WHEELS. HE REMOVED THE WHEEL AND BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY REPAIR HUNDREDS OF THESE FAILURES PER YEAR. THE PARTS WERE PURCHASED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN HIS CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10237441
18,900 miles · Jul 20, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING DURING GOOD WEATHER AND NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS SPORADIC FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CHECKED THE PEDAL SPACING AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT THE CONTACT WAS PRESS…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING DURING GOOD WEATHER AND NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS SPORADIC FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CHECKED THE PEDAL SPACING AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT THE CONTACT WAS PRESSING THE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKES ARE 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10162975
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
GAS PEDAL IS TOO SENSITIVE MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY FROM A STOP. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO GAS PEDAL. I'VE HIT THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153140
9,000 miles · Mar 8, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO ACCOMMODATE SHORTER AND TALLER DRIVERS. THE PEDALS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO UNKNOWINGLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE OR VISA VERSA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO ACCOMMODATE SHORTER AND TALLER DRIVERS. THE PEDALS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO UNKNOWINGLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE OR VISA VERSA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE PEDALS ARE ADJUSTED. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER, 2004. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE UPON A RAMP IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE OIL. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ALSO INADVERTENTLY DEPRESSED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD ONTO THE RAMP. THAT INCIDENT RESULTED IN $250 WORTH OF DAMAGE. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO BACKED INTO HIS GARAGE DOOR TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152213
22,000 miles · Jul 29, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
MANY LOUD PINGS FROM EXHAUST AFTER THE EXHAUST GETS HOT, AND IT STARTS TO COOL DOWN PROBABLY FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER SAYS IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS MODEL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130603
9,500 miles · Jun 28, 2005
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
DT: WHILE GOING 10-20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDEN LY ACCELERATED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, AND THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THERE WERE BLACK TIRE MARKS FROM THE REAR WHEELS FROM WHERE THE CAR ACCELERATED. THEN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER PARKED FAMILY VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS KNOCKED ABO…
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DT: WHILE GOING 10-20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDEN LY ACCELERATED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, AND THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THERE WERE BLACK TIRE MARKS FROM THE REAR WHEELS FROM WHERE THE CAR ACCELERATED. THEN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER PARKED FAMILY VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS KNOCKED ABOUT 30 FEET. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUME RHAS PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT., BUT NO POLICE REPORT. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CONSUMER RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10126846
31 miles · Sep 20, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE IN STOP AN GO TRAFFIC HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092848
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1
PE14021 · Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
Opened Jul 7, 2014 · Closed Nov 21, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.This investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.This investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
Steering
On July 7, 2014 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation based on five complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents ofinterference between dislodged exhaust manifold heat shields and the lower steering shaft/knuckle, including one alleging the interference resulted in a crash on a highway entrance ramp. Since opening this investigation, ODI has received four additional owner complaints.One indicated that the shield was removed before binding could occur.The other three occurred at low speed and produced some momentary steering binding that was overcome by the driver when additional steering effort was applied.Once the shield was repaired or removed, the steering returned to normal.The single incident ODI identified as a possible crash (VOQ No. 10578715) related to this condition could not be verified and the description of the crash in the complaint was not supported by the police accident report.No additional crash allegations have been identified related to the alleged defect condition.Information provided by Ford in its September 10, 2014 response to ODI's information request letter identified 10 additional incidents resulting in a low rate of 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold in vehicles ranging from 7 to 11 years in service.Six of these incidents were reported by a single source, a state police fleet that corrected the problems in March 2011 and has not reported any additional failures since.Ford also reported 5 warranty claims, but these incidents occurred at very low mileages and appeared to be caused by loose or missing heat shield attachment hardware rather than the corrosion condition that was the cause of the more recent incidents and the focus of this investigation.This investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.The following VOQs are associated with this investigation:10643753, 10615584, 10611362, 10610451, 10578715, 10479681, 10471833, 10317493.
2004 Mercury Marauder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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