Model year record
2003 Mercury MARQUIS recalls & problems
The 2003 Mercury MARQUIS has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 33 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (8 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Mercury MARQUIS.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lightingHeadlights | 8 | 85,171 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 5 | 28,398 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicPedals and linkages | 4 | 6,797 mi |
| Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash | 4 | — |
| SuspensionRear | 4 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Column | 4 | 60,000 mi |
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system | 3 | — |
| StructureFrame and members; Body › Door | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system | 2 | — |
| Air bagsFrontal | 2 | — |
| Equipment | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SEIZE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *BF CONSUMER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.*JB
- Steering
STEERING REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO TURN STEERING PAST APPROXIMATELY 30-45 DEGREES AT THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING COLUMNS. LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER REPLACEMENT, STEERING NOW HAS A "JUMP" AND A "CLUNK" AT THE SAME POSITION IN THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. THESE ISSUES WHERE NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. IF STATIONARY, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE STEERING TO TURN AT ALL BEYOND 30-45 DEGREES.
- Vehicle speed controlCrash
IN FIRESTONE STORE PARKING AREA PERPENDICULAR TO SERVICE FOR ATTENDANT TO FILL THE RT FRT TIRE. PULLED UP TO ATTENDANT , APPLIED BRAKES AND VEH SURGED AHEAD, STRUGGLED TO CONTROL TO NO AVAIL. MADE DIFFUCULT U TURN TO AVOID DRV INTO STREET TRAFFIC, CRASHED OTHER VEH, CONT'D ON JUMPING 2 INSIDE PK CURBS STOPPING AS FRAME STOPPED RES ON CURB
- Electrical system
JAN 2016 GOT A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR JUNE CALLED LOCALL DEALER. THERE RESPONSE IS THEY DIDN'T. KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALL WHICH WAS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD GO WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.
- Structure › Body
MY CAR FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO AN EROSION IN THE FRAME. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION DRIPPING ON IT. AS THERE WAS NO ISSUE IN 2014 AND I DROVE THE CAR FEWER THAT 8000 MILES IN THE YEAR, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE CAR IS GARAGED AT ALL TIMES AND WAS DRIVEN VERY INFREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED AND IT HAS NOW PASSED INSPECTION.
- Exterior lighting
I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. MY HEADLIGHTS GO OFF ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM HOME AND THEN I HAVE TO PULL THE LEVER BACK AND HOLD IT TO PUT ON BRIGHT LIGHTS. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND NOT BEEN FAR FROM HOME AND HAVE TO HOLD BRIGHTS ON, STEER AND OPERATE BLINKERS ALL AT ONE TIME. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I AM IN PROCESS OF HAVING AN EXPENSIVE LIGHTING MODULE PUT IN MY CAR. I TOTALLY RESENT THEM NOT DOING A RECALL ON THIS. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR? IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE AND I WILL BE WAITING TO GET A REFUND WHEN THEY FINALLY ADMIT THERE IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. HATE FOR THEM TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE X NUMBER OF DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES. SHAME ON THEM.…
- Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION AND THEN THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500.
- Electrical system
HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON WHEN I GOT INTO CAR TO GO TO STORE AT NIGHT. ALSO BATTERY HAS BEEN RUNNING DOWN WHILE VEHICLE IS JUST SITTNG IN DRIVEWAY. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.