NHTSA — Vehicle Speed Control Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,308 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 032007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the dealer disconnected the speed control deactivation switch as an interim repair until the installation of a fused wiring harness became available for NHTSA campaign number: 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to complete the recall repairs; however, the dealer refused to honor the recall repair. As a result, the contact was unable to active the speed control activation switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V051000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 114,000.....updated 07/22/15 updated 10/11/2017

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #12

Sep 172013

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • 190,000 miles
On 9/17/2003 @ 11:23 pm, my 1996 Grand Marquis caught fire under the hood and was totally destroyed while sitting idle in front of my house. The henrico county fire department was called. I have the fire report, which indicates that no cause for the fire was determined. In June 2014, I received a notification from Ford Motor Company stating that my 1996 Grand Marquis has a potential under hood fire risk. The issue as stated was that "Ford cannot be confident that after many years in service, the speed control deactivation switch in your vehicle will not leak, posing the risk of an under hood fire. Until this repair is performed, a fire could occur at any time. A fire can occur even if the key is not in the ignition, and can occur even if the speed control system is never used." After receiving the letter, I filed a report with Ford to possibly get some form of compensation for my car since I my car was insured for liability only. Ford responded back that my claim was closed due to the fact that I know longer owned the car, and they were unable to inspect it. I find this to be absurd since the car was totaled, and not available for inspection.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #11

Apr 282009

Grand Marquis

  • 220,000 miles
On Tuesday night, April 28, my 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis suddenly caught fire under the hood of the car and the engine was in flames in a matter of minutes. My car had been sitting for hours before I got in it and drove it home, approximately 2 1/2 miles. When I parked my car in the driveway I entered my house. Within five minutes my daughter screamed that smoke was coming out from under the hood. Within another 5 - 10 minutes the entire engine area was in flames. Fire rescue arrived and put out the fire, but not before my car was, for the most part, ruined. From what I have heard, and read, I believe it was something to do with the cruise control mechanism.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #10

Jul 012007

Grand Marquis

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We owned a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicle. This vehicle caught fire in July 2007 without any warning parked in front of our home while we were out of town. Luckily my daughter and granddaughter were home at the time to call 911. We did not receive a recall notice from Ford Motor Company regarding a recall until 2 months later! had we been able to know about the recall, this could have been avoided. My wife and I are senior citizens, me in my 80's and she in her 70's. had this happened while we were driving we would have not made it out of the vehicle in time! my daughter did extensive research online and found there were many complaints prior to the safety recall #05S28. These automakers need to be held accountable for situations as this, especially when numerous consumer complaints were made prior to the recall. We're lucky to be alive and not burned!

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #9

Sep 172007

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. After receiving a safety recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control), the contact had the switch disconnected in his vehicle. On March 8, 2008, he received another recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 08V051000 (vehicle speed control:cruise control). He called the dealer and was informed that they would be in touch with him as soon as the part was available. As of September 8, 2008, the contact has not heard back from the dealer. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 87,000. Updated 10/03/08 updated 10/07/08.8jb

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #8

Aug 272007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) and Ford recall number 05S28 in August of 2007. Since then, he has had the deactivation switch disconnected. The dealer and manufacturer stated on several occasions that they did not know when the parts would be available. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 143,000. Updated 02-14-08

- Flat Rock, NC, USA

problem #7

Sep 012007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign id# 07V336000). The dealer disconnected the vehicle speed control because the part was unavailable. The contact felt that manufacturer is not handling the recall within reasonable time. The current mileage was 140,000 and there had been no failure to date. Updated 01-29-08. Updated 01/29/08

- Newayago , MI, USA

problem #6

Aug 012007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. In August of 2007, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The Ford recall number is 05S28. She took the vehicle to two different dealers and neither had any available parts for the recall repair. There had been no failure to date. The purchase date, powertrain and current mileage were unknown.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #5

Aug 012007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • miles
(defect in speed control equipment related) I received the letter informing consumer of defect in speed control equipment, it is now November, and it seems local Ford dealerships hin rochester New York still haven't received parts to remedy this situation in a timely basis. It stated Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers commitment "to provide you with the highest level of service and support" it is my recommendation that you et these parts to rochester NY and elsewhere nd fix this defect. Thank you.

- Sperncerport , NY, USA

problem #4

Sep 012007

Grand Marquis 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis. On September 1, 2007, the contact received NHTSA recall notice number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). A repair appointment has been scheduled for September 07, 2007. She is concerned that the vehicle could catch fire while waiting for the repair to be performed. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 122,000. Updated 01/11/08. The consumer went to a non-Ford dealer to have the speed control disconnected. Updated

- Portsmith, VA, USA

problem #3

May 101999

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the brakes were applied, while the speed control was activated, the vehicle continued to accelerate, causing a collision which resulted in injuries.

- Masawaska, ME, USA

problem #2

Nov 151996

(reported on)

Grand Marquis

  • miles
Fast idle or high setting of engine RPM, idle 800 RPM at neutral.

- Sea Girt, NJ, USA

problem #1

Nov 131996

Grand Marquis

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Gear indicator was in the reverse position vehicle surged backwards, braking system would not override the acceleration, causing the vehicle to hit a house.

- Casselberry, FL, USA

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