1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 131,200miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns 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 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis. The part named most often is electrical system, with 19 complaints (44% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (7) and seat belts (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 131,200 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 16 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 system19 44%
- Seat belts6 14%
- Engine cooling5 12%
- Fuel system2 4.7%
- Wheels2 4.7%
- Equipment1 2.3%
- Exterior lighting1 2.3%
- Steering1 2.3%
- Body and structure1 2.3%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Vehicle parked for sometime. Started vehicle & was driving when odor of burning rubber was inside vehicle. Had noticed smoke coming from under hood. Stopped & lifted hood. Flames shut out. Called fire department who put flames out. Indcation of electrical wires.”
NHTSA complaint #836326, filed 1999-06Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle suddenly accelerated from park to drive. Vehicle not in reverse when it took off. Gear still in neutral. Had to release brakes. Called dealer & will have vehicle totaled. Was told throttle cable gone.”
NHTSA complaint #826519, filed 1998-08Seat belts: “Driver side seatbelt buckel. A spring on the release button breaks and no longer latches correctly. The buckel will hold if it is shaken but releases easily. This is the second 1987 Grand Marquis that I have owened that this happened to. I replaced them with parts from a salvage yard. Ford wanted $250.00 for the buckel.”
NHTSA complaint #10121805, filed 2005-05, 48,900 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,900 and 133,000 miles.
Complaints 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 1987 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
- 88V028000Mar 8, 1988Seat belts › Front › RetractorCovers: Mercury Grand Marquis 1987–1988, Ford Crown Victoria 1987–1988
Automatic retractor for seat belts for dual facing rear seats may be installed in an improper location.
- 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.
- 87V131000Aug 17, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection systemCovers: Mercury Grand Marquis 1987, Lincoln Town CAR 1988, Ford Crown Victoria 1987
Fuel rails may be bent so that no. 5 injector cups are out of design position.
- 87V012000Feb 9, 1987Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › ConnectingCovers: Mercury Grand Marquis 1987, Lincoln Town CAR 1987, Ford Crown Victoria 1987
Steering centerlinks may break at a bend location.
Recall details for the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 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 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 19 complaints (44% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 7.
Has the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis get?
The EPA rates the 1987 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 131,200 miles and the middle half falls between 48,900 and 133,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.