1997 Mercury Marquis Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe plastic intake manifolds that crack and leak coolant, sometimes with overheating or smoke under the hood. Other frequent topics are brake complaints such as fluid leaks, a pedal that drops to the floor and rotor problems, plus steering and front-end complaints and cruise control recall repairs that owners say were delayed by parts shortages. Where mileage is recorded, most intake manifold complaints fall between about 43,000 and 113,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Cracked plastic intake manifold and coolant leaks

   • 17 complaints (32%)
   • median 68,337 mi at 8.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2006

   Owners describe the plastic intake manifold cracking or splitting, followed by coolant or antifreeze leaking, overheating, and smoke or steam from under the hood. Some complaints describe sudden coolant loss while driving, and others mention a loud noise at idle. Some repairs replaced the plastic part with a metal one. Some owners say the dealer or manufacturer would not cover the repair, and a complaint mentions a service bulletin that the dealer said did not apply to the vehicle. Mileage ranges from very low to about 113,000 miles where recorded, with most cases between about 43,000 and 113,000 miles; filings cluster from 2002 to 2006, and some describe highway or freeway driving.

   What to check: Ask whether the plastic intake manifold has already been replaced with a metal part, and check the coolant level and the manifold area for leaks or dried residue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling about 40 MPH in traffic without any warning, my check engine light flashed on immediately followed by the heat gauge maxing out and a buzzing noise began sounding. What appeared to be smoke was pouring out between my hood and cowling. I managed to stop the car and lifted the hood. Antifreeze smell was strong, water was shooting into my alternator and the engine was excessively hot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10023983, filed 2003-06, 113,100 miles

   “While driving on freeway at freeway speed, my 1997 grand Marquis, ls was running at normal temp. All of a sudden within a matter of a minute or two, the temp gauge maxed out, car started smoking, all coolant was lost. I pulled over immediately, and upon inspection I found that the plastic intake manifold had cracked approx a 3-4 crack. I was stranded, had to tow my car approx 134 miles to get home. This is a $269.99 part not to mention the gaskets, anti-freeze and labor involved to fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10158905, filed 2006-06, 2 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leaks, pedal drop and rotor wear

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 8.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2005

   Owners describe brake fluid leaking from a flexible connector or brake line, with the pedal sinking to the floor and reduced ability to stop. A complaint says the dealer suggested replacing both lines, and the brakes failed again about a week later. Other complaints describe front rotors corroding or malfunctioning, with longer stopping distances and the dealer unable to identify the problem. Some complaints describe a severe braking pulse when coasting in the transmission downshift program at about 34 mph on snow, ice, or gravel. Filed mostly between 1998 and 2005, with the downshift braking complaints dating from late 1997, and recorded mileage ranges from about 20,000 to 139,000 miles.

   Recall 05V086000

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for wet spots on the brake lines and connectors. Ask whether the rear brake line recall (05V086000) applies to the vehicle and whether that work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When applying the brakes, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to stop the car and pull into a parking lot. I started the vehicle but was unable to take out of park. I then refered to the vehicle manual and found out that if this happens then I should check the brake lights. They were out so I checked the fuse and it was blown. I replaced it and the brakes, lights and transmission worked. I drove home (16 miles) and parked the car. About 30 minutes later the car was on fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10128324, filed 2005-07, 139,000 miles

   “While driving, car brake pedal went all the way to the floor substantially reducing the ability to stop and therby almost causing an accident. Upon investigation, found brake fluid was shooting out from under the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10093947, filed 2004-10, 20,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering loss, wandering and ball joint failures

   • 11 complaints (21%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2009

   Owners describe the vehicle wandering from side to side or drifting off the road, and intermittent loss of power steering that the dealer could not locate. Other complaints describe a front ball joint breaking or separating from its socket, with the corner of the vehicle dropping. A complaint describes a crash after a loss of steering control, and a technician said the steering gear box contributed to the failure. Complaints were filed between 1997 and 2009, and recorded mileage is between about 63,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for records of ball joint and steering inspections, and check the front suspension for play. On a test drive, watch for wandering, pulling, or clunks over bumps.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “(this complaint received via e-mail) my wife was driving today around 70 MPH or under on the freeway when she turned a corner and the car fell down low with a clung on the passengers side. She had to have it towed home, where I and the tow driver saw the most horrifying sight, the ball joint just came apart. The ball came right out of the socket. The socket should have been constructed so the ball, even if badly worn would never leave the socket. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10113617, filed 2005-03, 100,000 miles

   “While pulling into the garage right front ball joint broke. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. The consumer stated that the front ball joint failure caused the door frame, arm bushing and joint, spindle front wheel,front sensor assembly, front brake shield and tire to fall.”

   NHTSA complaint #8011266, filed 2002-06
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch recall and repair delays

   Mentioned in 4 of 38 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a cruise control recall where the dealer only disconnected the speed control switch, and the owners were told replacement parts would not be available for months. An owner felt the parts delay should have been stated in the recall notice. A separate complaint describes the engine racing while the brakes were applied, with the car hitting a house before it stopped. Complaints were filed in 2007 and 2008, and recorded mileage, where given, is about 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control switch recall repair was completed, not only whether the switch was disconnected. Check the recall status for the vehicle using its VIN on the NHTSA website.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1997 mountaineer, engine race, could not stop the car. Used the brakes but engine raced and banged into our house in order to stop. This was the fourth incident, in a month time. Other incidents were hitting a car in order for the car to stop. No one was hurt, thank goodness. But this was scary. We want to sell the car, but can't with good conscience until we can find the culprit. Please advise or confirm difficulty with the car. Thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10188225, filed 2007-04, 70,000 miles

   “1997 Mercury Marquis with cruise control recall. Consumer stated that the dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle would be fixed in 2007. Consumer stated it still was not fixed by january 2008. The consumer was informed the part may not be available until june or july 2008.”

   NHTSA complaint #10214986, filed 2008-01

Buying note. Because intake manifold complaints are the most common here, ask whether that part has been replaced and check for coolant loss on a test drive. Also ask whether any brake line or cruise control recall work has been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 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.