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: 5 of 30 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.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 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 reports7 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
30 reports
130,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND CONNECTOR PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH AND CONNECTOR PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10781588
100,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/11/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10575802
135,000 miles · May 18, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFireInjury
1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. A NICE MAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I WENT HOME POPPED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BAD FUSE. I FOUND IT IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT NOT UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SAW SMOKE I…
Read full complaint
1994 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. A NICE MAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AND TOLD ME MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. I WENT HOME POPPED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BAD FUSE. I FOUND IT IN THE CAR COMPARTMENT NOT UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SAW SMOKE I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND TORE THE WIRES FROM THE SWITCH. I WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND HE SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. WRONG YEAR. THIS IS THE SAME SWITCH THAT HAS CAUSED FIRES THAT BURNED DOWN HOMES AND HAS CAUSED DEATHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL OF THE CARS THAT HAVE THESE DEFECTIVE SWITCH'S. I OWN 1 OF THIS MODEL. MY FATHER- IN- LAW OWNS 1 ALSO. HIS CRUISE CONTROL WENT BAD 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT JUST NEVER CAUGHT ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN SO IT WOULD SHIFT. HE TOLD ME AFTER I GOT IT RUNNING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE. I NEVER LOOKED FOR THE BAD FUSE. SO HERE IS 2 CARS SAME YEAR SAME MAKE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A LARGER PROBLEM THAN FORD IS SAYING. I COULD OF LOST MY CAR AND HOUSE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND NOT COVER IT. HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CARS ARE WAITING TO GO UP IN FLAMES. HOW MANY MORE DEATHS AND HOMES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS ALL GETS FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157781
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 A.M ON JULY 6, 2005, MY HUSBAND AND 16 YEAR OLD SON WERE AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR, TELLING THEM THAT OUR 1994 GRAND MARQUISE (MERCURY) WAS ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND AND SON BARELY ESCAPED WHEN THE FIRE HIT THE HOUSE AND BURNED OUR HOME DOWN TO THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NEARLY 7 1/2 HOURS BEFORE THE FI…
Read full complaint
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 A.M ON JULY 6, 2005, MY HUSBAND AND 16 YEAR OLD SON WERE AWAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR, TELLING THEM THAT OUR 1994 GRAND MARQUISE (MERCURY) WAS ON FIRE. MY HUSBAND AND SON BARELY ESCAPED WHEN THE FIRE HIT THE HOUSE AND BURNED OUR HOME DOWN TO THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NEARLY 7 1/2 HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY DAUGHTER (13 YEARS OLD) AND MYSELF WERE OUT OF TOWN, BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY DO NOT THINK THAT WE WOULD HAVE ALL FOUR ESCAPED FROM THE HOUSE. OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN DEVESTATED AND MY HUSBAND AND SON WERE NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED, BUT THE MENTAL ANGUISH THAT WE ARE ALL SUFFERING AND THE LOSS OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD, IS VERY HARD ON US ALL AND WE ARE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME HANDLING THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10133252
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2005
TiresCrash
BRIDGESTONE TURANZA T PASSENGER TIRES; P215/70R MADE IN JAPAN. JDJ469; K9902; DOT H434 97T; QL20HZ ONLY LASTED APPROXIMATELY 2K MILES BEFORE THE BELTS BROKE.
NHTSA ODI #10122069
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE CARPORT AND WITHOUT WARNING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BUT WAS INSPECTED BY ENGINEER WITH VERITE FORENSIC ENGINEERING CONTRACTED BY FORD MOTOR CO. COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED FIRE AND SAID THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE CARPORT AND WITHOUT WARNING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. *AK VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED BUT WAS INSPECTED BY ENGINEER WITH VERITE FORENSIC ENGINEERING CONTRACTED BY FORD MOTOR CO. COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED FIRE AND SAID THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD MELTED COMPLETELY. CAR IS NOW PARKED IN THE YARD. *BF
NHTSA ODI #10109095
80,000 miles · Jan 5, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND CONSUMER DISCOVERED FIRE AT 11:30PM. CONSUMER STATED THAT CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING 2-3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. ALSO, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10097776
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlFireInjury
THE SPEED SWITCH ON MY WIFE'S 1994 MERCURY MARQUIS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY IGNITED CAUSING A MASSIVE FIRE WHICH DESTROYED OUR HOME AND NEARLY KILLED MY FAMILY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10098839
26,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibilityInjury
DEAR SIR/MADAM;IN THE PAST, I HAVE OWNED THE CHEVROLET VEGA, THE PONTIAC FIERO TWO OF THE POOREST AUTOMOBILES EVER BUILD BUT NEITHER OF THESE CARS CAN BEGAN TO COMPARE THE 1994 MERCUY MARQUIE AS TO POOR QUALITY. WITHOUT QUESTION, THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED!I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 15 WINDOW REGULARTORS INSTALLED FOR…
Read full complaint
DEAR SIR/MADAM;IN THE PAST, I HAVE OWNED THE CHEVROLET VEGA, THE PONTIAC FIERO TWO OF THE POOREST AUTOMOBILES EVER BUILD BUT NEITHER OF THESE CARS CAN BEGAN TO COMPARE THE 1994 MERCUY MARQUIE AS TO POOR QUALITY. WITHOUT QUESTION, THE WORST AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED!I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 15 WINDOW REGULARTORS INSTALLED FOR A COST OF FROM $175 TO $275 FOR EACH REGULAR INSTALLATION FOR AN APPROXIMATE TOTAL OF $3,000.00.WITH JUST 83,000 MILES, EASILY DRIVEN, THE CAR CURRENTLY USED 1 QT. OF OIL EVERY1,000 MILES. *AK OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE ASKED OTHER MERCURY MARQUIE AND FORD VICTORIA OWNERS OF THE SAME YEARS IF THEY HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. TODATE, I HAVE NEVER FOUND AN OWNER OF THESE SAME YEAR AUTOMOBILES THAT HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND USUALLY MORE THAN ONCE. SERVICE MEN WILL ADVISE THAT. FORDS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND NOT JUST THE YEARS OF THIS MODEL. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. I CANNOT SHOP AMERICAN AS I WOULD PREFER. I WILL SHOP THE JAPANESE MARKET AS I HAVE IN THE PAST AND WILL ALWAYS FOR FUTURE. THE AMERICAN MARKET CONTINUES TO REGRESS AS TO SIZE AND QUALITY. BY COPY OF THIS LETTER, I WOULD ALSO REQUEST THAT THE NEXT TIME THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES COME BEGGING CONGRESS BECAUSE THE EUROPEAN, AISIAN, OR OTHER MANUFACTURES ARE TAKING THEIR BUSINESS THAT THEY BE REFUSED ANY LOANS AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE. FORCED THEM TO USE THE PRIVATE LENDERS. THEY NEVER SEEM TO LEARN! BACK TO QUALITY - - BUY JAPANESE, J. B. CHAMBERS
NHTSA ODI #10025807
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
CONSUMER STATES CRUISE CONTROL FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. *TT REFERENCED IN EA02-025
NHTSA ODI #565812
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
EA95022 · Passenger Air Bag Module Detachment
Opened Aug 31, 1995 · Closed Jul 24, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE CAN COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING DEPLOYMENT.
1994 Mercury Marquis Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year