2003 Mercury Grand Marquis Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 362 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,763miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, 3% of the 362 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,763 miles.
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.
“Premature failure of rear axle shaft bearing. Original NHTSA recall # 04v328000 in july of 2004. My car was not in the original recall, but I have just had this very problem with my car. If I hadn't taken the car in, I could have had a major safety problem if the bearing had gone out totally. Please force ford motor co. To expand this recall to pay for similar repairs even if not included in original recall. A car with only 50,000 miles should not have this problem!”
NHTSA complaint #10519724, filed 2013-06, 50,026 miles“2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, the built date is 10/2002.grinding noise at right rear axle and fluid leaking at right rear axle seal coating the rear brakes. Right rear axle bearing and shaft assy failure per NHTSA campaign id number 04v328000. The vehicle belonged to my 75 year old father whom passed away last year. I now own the car. I'll assume the problem has existed for quite some time. According to ford motor company there is no such problem with this vehicle. However, ford does sell a half shaft rear axle bearing repair kit part number 4a109 $618.91 to fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561812, filed 2014-01, 68,426 miles“Automatic transmission shifts erratically when in cruise mode, less than 70,000 miles on vehicle, has almost caused accident several times. Have to dis-engage cruise control and shut off overdrive to cure it, and keeps occurring although less frequently.”
NHTSA complaint #10273907, filed 2009-06, 63,000 miles“Rear axle and bearing noises. Marquis bought new. Owner's son-in-law noted minor bearing noise in rear when visiting in 2004. Son-in-law received car after death of mother-in-law in 2012, car had 24k miles at that time. Noticed pronounced rear end noise at that time (a whaa-whaa-whaa matching speed changes). Left rear axle and outboard bearing found to be pitted and were replaced by independent repair shop. Research by owner indicates that axles for this, and other similar Mercury and fords had factory axles installed that had not been properly heat treated. Now, nov. …”
NHTSA complaint #10660206, filed 2014-11, 10,000 miles“Rear axle bearing failure on 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Pe4010. The axles are improperly heat treated and fail due to normal loads. This car is not a police vehicle. There is a clear defect in the axles of all similar body styles.”
NHTSA complaint #10186827, filed 2007-04, 39,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 8% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 5 | 5% |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 7% |
| 1998 | 8 | 6% |
| 1997 | 12 | 4% |
| 1996 | 15 | 6% |
| 1995 | 11 | 6% |
| 1994 | 18 | 12% |
| 1993 | 29 | 20% |
| 1992 | 29 | 11% |
| 1991 | 8 | 10% |
| 1990 | 6 | 11% |
| 1989 | 6 | 10% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
| 1983 | 3 | 43% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis
207 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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