Home › Mercury › Marquis › 2003

2003 Mercury Marquis Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercury Marquis, most often about the lights (24% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Marquis model year since 2000.

Most common 2003 Mercury Marquis problems

1. Lights

   8 complaints · 24%

   Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.

   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.

   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…

2. Speed control

   5 complaints · 15%

   Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.

   Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are located too close together. This would cause a misapplication to the wrong pedal when braking or accelerating, at the same time. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could not resolve the problem.

   : the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure the vehicle accelerated. The dealership was alerted however no repairs have been made. The consumer believed the brake and accelerator were designed too close together. Updated 04/06/06.

3. Brakes

   4 complaints · 12%

   Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.

   While driving in bumper to bumper traffic, the vehicle's brakes failed. The pedal was extremely hard to press which resulted in a rear end collision. Suspected the brake/gas pedal raised to the same level when switch was activated, possible depressing brake and gas at the same time. (californiahighway patrol)

   Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are located too close together. This would cause a misapplication to the wrong pedal when braking or accelerating, at the same time. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could not resolve the problem.

4. Electrical

   4 complaints · 12%

   Parts named most often: wiring.

   We bought a used 2003 Mercury gr. Marquis,ls, in sep't. 2003. Two days later the check engine light came on. The dealer, mace lincoln Mercury, 629 ohio st. Terre haute, in. 47807, worked on the car 8 times without success. I contacted the Mercury complaint line twice. Scott shepard, the service manager requested a…

   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.

5. Suspension

   4 complaints · 12%

   Parts named most often: rear.

   Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Marquis. The contact smelled a burning odor coming from the vehicle for several days. While he was changing the rear passenger side tire, he discovered a grease leak. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and they confirmed that the rear passenger side bearing leaked into the brake…

   Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Marquis. The contact stated the rear axle and bearings fail. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they replace the axle and bearings. The Mercury manufacture was called…

6. Steering

   4 complaints · 12%

   Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, column.

   After parking the car on the side of the road, I got back in and the steering column wouldn't take the key. It wouldnt turn forward or backward just would fit in the keyhole. Steering column had to be fixed after I had the car towed. The car (2003 Mercury grand Marquis) was 6 months old with 6,000 miles on it. The…

   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…

7. Body and structure

   3 complaints · 9%

   Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

   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…

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Mercury Marquis recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Mercury Marquis

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Marquis?

By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (8 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); speed control (5 complaints); brakes (4 complaints).

How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Marquis have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Mercury Marquis. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.

Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mercury Marquis?

It is the most complained-about Marquis model year since 2000, with 33 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Mercury Marquis years

• 2001
• 2003

Mercury Marquis problems by year