1988 Mercury Grand Marquis Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 16%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, 16% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on interstate 94 in chicago, I accelerated to pass a car. The acceleration device within the engine, not only stuck, but it increased speed. I tried to brake the car with little response. I got on the exit ramp and with 2 feet on the brakes, could not stop the car. We rear ended a woman stopped at a red light. We put the bumper of her jeep into her back seat, then veered off her car and smashed into a cement retaining wall. My daughter was in the front seat of my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10142395, filed 2005-11, 90,000 miles“I was driving at a steady speed of approx. 45 -50mph on rt.219 in orchard park, n y, when my 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis wagon started to accelerate on its own. The cruise control was not engaged. The car continued to accelerate on level groung to approx. 60 MPH. Continuous braking only slowed the car temporarily. I managed to brake the car enough to get off the exit ramp and only was able to stop it by riding the brake pedal and putting the car into n. Smoke and flames were coming from under the car. There were no prior warnings of any mechanical problems. The speed pedal was not stuck down. …”
NHTSA complaint #725753, filed 2000-07“As consumer was driving at highway speed vehicle suddenly started to accelerate . She applied brakes to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Front two tire were on fire at that time. Fire was coming from underneath. Vehicle was towed to dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #865843, filed 2000-07“Consumer put vehicle in reverse and& it shot back across a small intersection into a ditch, ignition would not turn off, consumer thought it might be a throttle problem,dealer inspected vehicle and found nothing wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #862307, filed 2000-05“Consumer shifted the vehicle from park to reverse and the vehicle accelarated in reverse, causing the consumer to have an accident. Consumer has contacted the dealer, the dealer was unable to find the cause.”
NHTSA complaint #806519, filed 1996-12Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 15% |
| 2008 | 15 | 19% |
| 2007 | 13 | 14% |
| 2006 | 37 | 26% |
| 2005 | 39 | 8% |
| 2004 | 23 | 7% |
| 2003 | 27 | 7% |
| 2002 | 17 | 22% |
| 2001 | 27 | 17% |
| 2000 | 13 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 7% |
| 1998 | 9 | 6% |
| 1997 | 24 | 8% |
| 1996 | 19 | 8% |
| 1995 | 23 | 13% |
| 1994 | 33 | 21% |
| 1993 | 19 | 13% |
| 1992 | 31 | 12% |
| 1991 | 12 | 15% |
| 1990 | 9 | 16% |
| 1989 | 14 | 24% |
| 1988 | 12 | 16% |
| 1987 | 7 | 16% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 4 | 19% |
| 1984 | 4 | 27% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis
36 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology