1986 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and brakes (2). Of all complaints, 11 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system11 52%
- Engine cooling4 19%
- Brakes2 9.5%
- Steering1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
- Tires1 4.8%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.8%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Vehicle vibrates on right front end when brakes are applied. When brakes are let go, feels like they are grabbing. Had stopped vehicle to check & noticed smoke from tires & then flames shot out. Had vehicle towed to mechanic & was informed that it was the electrical wiring harness.”
NHTSA complaint #837524, filed 1999-06Engine cooling: “Ohio police report. While driving vehicle started to lose pressure,then began to smoke. Driver pulled over and vehicle engulfed into flames. Consumer stated that muffler had been replaced and a new engine was installed with only 20,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #566989, filed 2002-07Steering: “Owner heard (2) popping noises and drove five minutes. After parking over night vehicle had burned until smoldered w/steering column melted and cracked window.”
NHTSA complaint #980656, filed 1996-03Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Marquis RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Grand Marquis Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mercury Grand Marquis 1986–1987, Ford Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Recall details for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Other model years of the Mercury Grand Marquis
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9 | 83,750 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 25 | 36,000 | 2 | — | 19 | 42 · Typical | Rising |
| 2009 | 26 | 33,000 | 2 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 80 | 46,330 | 3 | — | 18 | 84 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 96 | 29,430 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 143 | 63,706 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 488 | 72,800 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 348 | 82,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 362 | 85,194 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 78 | 51,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 157 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 162 | 73,825 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 164 | 103,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 143 | 84,700 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 316 | 80,436 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 239 | 84,263 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 179 | 89,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 156 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 144 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 255 | 114,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 82 | 79,994 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 56 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 58 | 75,250 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 73 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 43 | 131,200 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 21 | 87,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 15 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 7 | 74,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercury Grand Marquis model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercury Grand Marquis (Grand Marquis, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.