Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1989 Mercury Grand Marquis Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
7fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Total complaints69
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“While driving at approximately 25 miles per hour in perfect weather, my w/w michelin xz4 215/70/15m/s blew out on my grand marquis from the center/top of the tire(not sidewall). There were no road hazards. The tire has a large gash, and extensively splayed steel belts exposed/torn. Luckily I was…”
“Dt: the consumer owns a 1989 mercury grand marquis. The engine revved up which caused the vehicle to move forward while he had his foot on the brake. The first time this incident happened it did not cause an accident, but the second occurrence, he rear ended another vehicle. *jb *sc”
“When attempting to install a brand new craft silver 651 battery it started sparking. The retail store was contacted, and they indicated that the battery will stop sparking once installed. Consumer installed the battery and it blew up the alternator. Retail store district manager was contacted. He…”
“When attempting to install a brand new craft silver 651 battery it started sparking. The retail store was contacted, and they indicated that the battery will stop sparking once installed. Consumer installed the battery and it blew up the alternator. Retail store district manager was contacted. He…”
“The plastic bushing kickback wiring located on top of transmiss has deterioated and caused the transmission to become damaged, and wasnot operational.*ak”
“Vehicle axle broke causing wheel to come off.*mr while driving the left rear axle broke and caused the wheel to come off the vehicle . The vehicle spun off the road and came to rest in a ditch. The wheel crossed lanes, smacked a concrete barrier and bounced into another vehicle forcing that…”
“The vehicle frame had approximately three feet of rust and corrosion. The rust was also noticed by the bracket that holds the transmission support cross member. The engine oil pan rusted out which caused an oil leak. Also two of the tires had acquired bulges. *jg *jb”
“The vehicle frame had approximately three feet of rust and corrosion. The rust was also noticed by the bracket that holds the transmission support cross member. The engine oil pan rusted out which caused an oil leak. Also two of the tires had acquired bulges. *jg *jb”
Defect investigations
Investigation PE91125 Opened 1991-09-11 · closed 1992-01-15
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
There is no summary currently available
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.