2008 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two dominant themes: engine speed rising while braking or after a stop, and power steering trouble, most often a shaft or rack failure that makes the wheel hard to turn or, in a few cases, lets the wheel turn without effect. Steering and speed-control complaints dominate the sample, and the median reported mileage is modest, so many events are logged on relatively low-mileage cars. Paint peeling and electrical accessory failures (lighting, climate controls) also come up repeatedly, typically at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine surges or revs up while braking

   Mentioned in 20 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine speeding up on its own, usually at low speed while the brake is held — pulling into a parking space, stopping at a light, shifting from reverse to drive, or resuming after cruise control. Several say the car lurched forward and struck another vehicle, a pole or a building before they could stop it. A few had rapid acceleration at highway speed after lifting off the accelerator; dealers were often unable to reproduce the condition or found no stored codes, and some replaced the electronic control module. Scattered from near-new (under 5,000 miles) to about 90,000 miles, with many reported below 60,000 miles; events usually happen at parking-lot or stop-sign speeds, some immediately after a cold start.

   What to check: On a test drive, try gentle stops from a few mph and check for any rise in engine speed or forward lurch; ask whether the throttle body or electronic control module was ever replaced, and have a shop scan for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was preparing test drive 2008 Mercury marquis at honolulu ford. I was stopped at the exit to houghtailing st when the engine accelerate. I looked down and my foot was not on the gas it was on the brake. The car started to move out into the street crossing the road hitting another vehicle and a light pole.”

   NHTSA complaint #10270015, filed 2009-05, 200 miles

   “I was driving in town and several times when I slowed down to stop at a stop sign or corner, after braking my car accelerated by itself. The engine revved up and made the car jump forward. I had to slightly release the brake snd brake harder to stop and avoid going into the intersection.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399994, filed 2021-03, 78,013 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering shaft separation and loss of steering

   • 21 complaints (26%)
   • median 64,004 mi at 7.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel losing connection to the rest of the column — a clicking or grinding noise, then a wheel that turns without changing direction or that drops down. Several owners link this to the intermediate shaft and its plastic retainer, and some note the repair was done under a steering recall while others say parts were unavailable. Another group describes the power steering assist cutting out at low speed or in cold weather, leaving the wheel very hard to turn; dealers sometimes could not duplicate it. Widely spread, from vehicles with a few thousand miles up to about 140,000; several reports fall between 40,000 and 90,000 miles, and some owners mention cold weather or a quick turn as a trigger.

   Recall 13V385000Recall 14V7040003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for proof that recall 13V385/14V704 steering-shaft work was completed and with which parts, and check for play, clicking or a loose feel in the wheel by rocking it with the car off; have the column and intermediate shaft inspected before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had trouble with my power steering on my 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis. When its cold outside or when I need to make a really quick turn of the wheel it turns very hard and has caused me to almost have and accident. The car has speed sensitive power steering on it . I have owned several ford cars and trucks but this is the first steering problem I have had. I really wish I had never bought a car with this type of power steering system on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10690296, filed 2015-02, 62,008 miles

   “Vehicle serviced at framingham ford 12/19/13 inv 331045 3/17/14 inv 333649 regarding ford safety recall 13s08/NHTSA recall 13v385 steering column shaft. In may 2016 I experienced occasional but unusual steering stiffness when making a right turn. Contacted framingham ford and fmc to express my concern for steering safety as related to the safety recall repairs. Framingham ford responded the recall & repair warrantyy had expired and instructed me to contact fmc for authorization to inspect/repair the steering assembly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10927800, filed 2016-11, 91,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Lighting and climate control module failures

   • 9 complaints (11%)
   • median 64,316 mi at 7.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2021

   Complaints describe headlights that quit or stay on after the switch is turned off, turn signals or hazard lights that stop working, a gear indicator that goes dark, and a dim odometer display. Owners commonly say the dealer traced these to a lighting control module or a wiring issue at the brake pedal sensor. Separately, some report the blower only working through the defrost vents because the climate control unit failed, in one case twice. Generally reported between roughly 36,000 and 110,000 miles, with failures appearing intermittently and often at night or in cold weather when the heater or defroster is used.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check every exterior light, the hazards, the turn signals and the instrument panel with the car running, and cycle the heater through floor, mix and defrost settings to confirm the blower responds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The gear shift id on the dash board has quit working, and we can only identify the gear that we have engaged by feel. Also, we have a recurring problem with the left rear turn signal flash going bad. When this happens, the turn signal flashes at a super fast rate. Both of these problems are safety issues. The gear shift problem happened while the car was stationary, the turn signal problem happened while making a left turn.”

   NHTSA complaint #11140733, filed 2018-10, 90,000 miles

   “Low beam headlights do not work. High beam works as well as daytime running lights. The dealer said the lcm module needs to be replaced but did not have one in stock and will call me when it comes in. My concern is this problem has been going on since at least the year 2000. Now I have a 100 deductible service warranty on this 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis so it will not be a great expense for me as it would be for others. This issue should have been resolved by now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10444628, filed 2012-01, 53,850 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Paint peeling and corrosion on hood and roof

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 48,500 mi at 4.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners report paint lifting and flaking in sheets from the hood, roof and around the rear window, sometimes after a car wash or winter use, with bare metal or primer showing underneath. Some note that several cars of this model showed the same problem, and one complaint describes corrosion found on the roof. In the complaints, dealers took photos for the manufacturer and, in the cases described, no repair assistance was offered. Mostly noticed between about 40,000 and 110,000 miles, often after several winters or repeated car washes.

   What to check: Inspect the hood, roof and the area around the rear window in good light for blisters, lifting edges or primer showing, and ask whether any panels have been repainted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have 5 locations where the paint is peeling off. Hood, roof and back window area. I have seen other gms and lincolns with the same peeling. The peeling areas a growing in size. Pieces of paint 1 inch sq comes off at a time. I should not have this problem on a 4 year old car. I think ford should fix the problem. I had a 1993 GM also with the same problem. But on the 93 car it started when the car was older.”

   NHTSA complaint #10464567, filed 2012-07, 42,000 miles

   “This is the third consecutive Mercury Grand Marquis I've owned that has developed a peeling paint problem (all purchased new). One instance of this I could chalk up to luck of the draw, a random defect. But three automobiles, same make, with the same problem? This defies the laws of random chance and indicates an ongoing quality control problem with these vehicles. This 2008 model Mercury Grand Marquis was purchased new and had about 55,000 miles on the odometer when I noticed the peeling paint. There is no reason ? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10479740, filed 2012-10, 55,000 miles

Buying note. These cars are simple and long-lived, but the sample points to steering-shaft and unintended-acceleration complaints worth taking seriously: confirm the steering recalls were completed and test the brakes and throttle behavior at low speed. Also budget for cosmetic paint work and possible lighting or climate module repairs on higher-mileage examples.

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.