2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 223 of 395 complaints (56%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more crash reports (14) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 89 in 2002 to 395 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 23 | 15 / 23 | 16 / 23 | 15 / 23 | 16 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | 494 | 468 | |
| Complaints filed | 183 | 89 | 395 | 360 | 487 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 29 | 11 | 26 | 17 | 24 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 7 | 18 | 10 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis?
Visibility & Lighting: 223 of 395 NHTSA complaints (56%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 16 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 55 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 32 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 223 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 15V861000 · Dec 22, 2015
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
Consequence: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E056000 · Jun 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.