The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving 40 mph, the rear axle cracked resulting in an oil leak and squeaking noises. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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. Can't seem to get Ford Lincoln Mercury to cover cost of repair.

- Harrison,, OH, USA

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!

- Kankakee, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact heard a loud grinding noise coming from the rear axle. The dealer informed the contact that there were no related recalls and repaired the rear axle. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure. The current mileage was 55,500 and the failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 04/25/11 several months ago, the consumer started hearing a noise when driving. It sounded like the right front wheel bearing. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop and the mechanic stated the vehicle would be fine to drive. Soon, the noise became worse. Upon inspection, it wa discovered the problem was the rear axles. The mechanic pulled the axles off and found both had groove cuts in them. The consumer believed his vehicle should have been included in the recall and he believed it was inadvertently missed. Updated 08/31/11

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

I own a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis that was originally built by the Ford Motor Company to be placed into fleet service as a hertz rental vehicle in July 2002. I purchased the vehicle as a used car from a dealer in ashland ky knowing that the car had been in previous fleet service. On July 15, 2004, Ford acknowledged that panther vehicles built for fleet service were prone to premature axle failures and issued the following recall. ------ Ford Motor Company component description: Suspension:rear defect summary certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles. Consequence summary this could lead to early bearing failure and ultimately to axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a crash. Corrective summary dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings, seals, and axle shafts. The recall began on July 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Made between 11/14/2001 and 12/3/2002 potential number of units affected: 47,314 date owner notified by mfr: 7/15/2004 recall initiator: Office Of Defects Investigation NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000. Missing from this recall are all Mercury models that were built for fleet service as rental vehicles. My vehicle has produced the same symptoms as the cars mentioned in the associated recall, but it was not included. How do I seek mediation for damages suffered due to a know manufacturers defect?

- Ashland, KY, USA

Same as ODI 10142807.....Ford motor issued a recall (NHTSA campaign 04V328000 & NHTSA PE 04010) for 2003 Ford Crown Victoria & Lincoln town car about rear bearing seals and axles. Ford L/M will not repair my 2003 Mercury marauder based on this. It is the exact same vehicle, especially the rear end. Marauder is a limited addition with the police package mentioned in the recall.

- Dedham, MA, USA

The rear end makes a thumbing noise when the vehicle speed reaches 40 mph and faster. Tires were replaced, but the noise became worse. Vehicle is currently at the dealership, who maintains that there is major problem, and the rear end has to be taken apart. There is recall 04V328000 for the rear axle fracture that consumer feels might be the cause of the noise.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

Occasional "popping" in right rear of car. On going since car was purchased on Nov. 26, 2002. Reported each time car was taken for service. At servicing on Nov. 11, 2003, technicians found "right rear upper control arm missing... found right rear upper control are bolt out."

- Boone, NC, USA