1994 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year gather around the cruise-control system, with owners describing both uncontrolled acceleration while driving and, more often, underhood fires in vehicles that were parked and switched off. A second cluster covers brake problems such as a pedal that goes to the floor and brake lines that have rusted through, while transmission shudder and a loose driver's seat are also reported. Mileage in the sample is wide, from under 50,000 to about 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch fires / underhood fire when parked

   • 23 complaints (15%)
   • median 117,683 mi at 12.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2010

   Owners describe the vehicle catching fire while parked in a driveway, garage or carport, sometimes minutes after being switched off and sometimes hours later, with flames starting under the hood on the driver's side near the master cylinder or speed-control switch. Several report that the fire department or a subsequent investigation attributed the fire to the speed-control (cruise control) deactivation switch, and that a recall notice for the speed control arrived after the fire. Others describe smoke from under the hood while replacing a fuse, or a car that would not start until a blown fuse was replaced. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, from about 58,000 to about 151,000 miles, typically with the vehicle parked and the ignition off.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 08V051000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed-control deactivation switch recall (and the later wiring-harness recall) was completed and whether the switch was replaced, not just disconnected. Inspect the area around the master cylinder and speed-control switch for signs of heat, melting or scorching.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On the evening of december 20, 2005, our 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis had been parked in our garage for about 45 minutes when we discovered a furious fire that burned through the attic and roof in minutes, shooting flames 50 feet into the night sky. Fortunately no one was hurt. But the house which we rented, and most of its contents were a total loss. Subsequent investigation, which included ford representatives, showed failure of speed control override switch as cause of fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10166742, filed 2006-08, 138,000 miles

   “July or august 2006. My vehicle went on fire in my driveway with no one in the car or no key in the ignition. My home was also damaged by fire. The following morning I called customer service dept of ford motor company advised them of the problem. I insisted that they remove the car from my driveway to investigate this serious problem. I was informed by the customer service rep. That was not necessary. I year later august 2007. I received a letter from the ford motor company about this recall of speed control system malfunction problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10250579, filed 2008-12, 96,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration / cruise control engagement

   • 28 complaints (18%)
   • median 120,068 mi at 13.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own at low speeds, for example while pulling out of a parking lot or entering a driveway, and in some accounts the vehicle could only be stopped by shutting off the ignition or standing hard on the brake. A few mention a high-pitched noise followed by the engine racing after shifting from reverse to drive. Complaints also describe the dealer disconnecting the cruise control cable while waiting for recall parts, and long waits for those parts. Reported at low speeds and during parking or driveway maneuvers; mileage is often not recorded in the sample.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 08V051000

   What to check: Confirm the cruise-control recall work is finished and the cable and switch are properly connected. Note whether cruise control currently functions, since some cars had the cable left disconnected pending parts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “94 Mercury recalled 9-12-07 for cruise control recall. Dealer did not say part was not available and removed the wire to the cruise control. I have not been able to get results on my fix, ford service said part not available. With all the parts company's closing I am sure they could have this fix in a day or two. I did not buy this car without cruise and I want and need it now. I have a bad leg that requires me to use cruise on long trips.”

   NHTSA complaint #10216842, filed 2008-02, 58,217 miles

   “Consumer was driving at about 5o MPH and vehicle accelerated very fast as though it was in park. Also, transmission will kick in. This will, most of the time, happen while trying to get onto the highway. Dealer has been contacted, and basically said that it was not their problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #858426, filed 2000-03
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor / rusted brake lines

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 14.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little or no braking, sometimes while backing up slowly and sometimes at low speed, and one complaint describes brake lines along the frame rail under the driver's door that had rusted through and lost fluid. Others mention a low or empty master cylinder reservoir, fluid leaks, grinding after brake work, and, in one case, rear brake adapter nuts and bolts found loose. Complaints note that a brake recall existed but the vehicle was not covered by it. Reported mostly between roughly 58,000 and 151,000 miles in the sample, often at low speed and with no warning.

   Recall 94V152000

   What to check: Have the steel brake lines along the frame rails inspected for rust and the master cylinder fluid level checked. Ask whether the rear brake adapter recall (94V152000) applies to the VIN and was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I began smelling smoke while driving 1994 Grand Marquis. After approx. 30 seconds of smelling smoke, flames and smoke came out of rear left of hood. Brakes did not work. Car coasted into an intersection and stopped. I immediately exited the car, called 911 and waited for fire department to respond. The engine compartment was totally engulfed in flames. Fire department was able to put fire out. Entire engine compartment was burned extensively, mostly on left side. Left front tire was burned and deflated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10283668, filed 2009-09, 105,000 miles

   “Low speed situation! Applied service (normal brake pedal) brake pedal went to floor, no brakes had to use foot brake to avoid accident. .found the hydraulic brake lines (multiple lines approx 4 (anti- lock brakes,)on frame rail under the drivers door) had rotted through, rupturing and loosing all brake fluid and causing catastrophic brake failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10167312, filed 2006-09, 99,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder or vibration at 35-40 mph

   • 12 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.2 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners describe the car shuddering or vibrating as it reaches about 30 to 40 mph, feeling like driving over speed bumps or railroad tracks, and some report vibration when shifting. One owner says the transmission would not move the car in cold weather until it warmed up, and another mentions transmission fluid problems at low mileage. Dealers were described as unwilling to help once the warranty had expired. Reported around 30-40 mph and in cold weather; most sample complaints in this group do not list mileage.

   What to check: Test drive at steady 35-40 mph and on a cold start, feeling for shudder or delayed engagement. Ask about transmission fluid and filter service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power train shudders at speeds 35-40 MPH. Wiper will not return to down position. Brake switch at brake pedal wire breaks and vehicle will not gear selector is locked in the park position and no brake lights. Air idle solenoid hums loudly. Engine loses oil and no apparent oil leaks. Brakes makes grinding noises after replacing rotors and dealer brake pads front and rear. Power window on drivers side works intermittently.”

   NHTSA complaint #740833, filed 2001-02

   “When driving vehicle will start to shutter an vibrate when reaching 30mph. Also vibrates when shifting gears. Contacted dealer, dealer not able to help because of no warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #859819, filed 2000-04
5. 5
   Seats

   Driver's seat frame / track comes loose

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 6.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners report the driver's seat coming loose from the floor or seat frame, with bolts pulling through the sheet metal or breaking off, and the seat rocking or flopping backward, in one case when getting into the car and in another at a stoplight. One complaint references Ford technical service bulletins about a loose front seat floor reinforcement bracket that cracks, and notes repairs were charged to the owner. Reported on vehicles of this age without mileage noted in the sample, typically noticed while entering the car or when braking to a stop.

   What to check: Grab the driver's seat and rock it firmly front to back and side to side, and check the floor reinforcement bracket and mounting bolts for cracks or looseness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The seat track has failed again, after it was fixed by the dealer twice. This should be a recall. It caused me to fall into the back seat from a stop light and jerked my hands from the steering wheel and I lost control momentarily.”

   NHTSA complaint #751938, filed 2001-09

   “The driver's seat front left mount broke loose from the frame when entering the car. The bolt was left in the track rail and the nut from the seat frame was still attached. The seat frame nut pulled through the frame allowing the seat to flop backwards. This also caused the seat-back to go back one notch and is now stripped where it will not lock into the most upright position.”

   NHTSA complaint #723969, filed 2000-06

Buying note. Check that the speed-control recall work was actually completed with the updated switch, and have the brake lines and seat mounts inspected on any example you consider. Service records showing transmission maintenance and recent brake work are worth asking for on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.