1996 Mercury Grand Marquis Review
Price Estimate: $747 - $1,131

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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
This distant descendant of the Turnpike Cruiser gets engine and transmission upgrades, a new steering wheel and a new gas cap design. Passenger power lumbar support has been deleted.
For sale nearby
3 listings
- Not provided
- 4 accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 15 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- D&L Auto Sales (689 mi away)
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Owosso, MI
Take a joyride in this charming emerald green 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis! This beauty is equipped with all the essentials for a smooth and comfortable...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (15 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2MELM74W1TX653451
Stock: 5708
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-10-2025- 114,533 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 15 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Don Johnson Motors (921 mi away)
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Lisbon, OH
Offered for sale by Don Johnson Motors is a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis with Only 114,000 Miles This vehicle was out west for most of its life until 20...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (15 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2MELM75W7TX677025
Stock: 677025
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-29-2025
Vehicle overview
Like its Ford Crown Victoria twin, the Grand Marquis represents excellent value. Large size, decent performance, and prices starting in the low 20's make the luxury-oriented Grand Marquis competitive with sedans ranging from the Honda Accord EX to the Buick Roadmaster. Better yet, the Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria rank highly with Consumer Reports as far as reliability is concerned. It seems that you could do much worse than to buy one of these traditional full-size sedans.
Inside, the Grand Marquis is a bit too traditional. Big poofy seats offer little support, and fake wood is slathered all over the dashboard. Controls and gauges are well placed, and Ford's new style radio offers improved ease-of-use with fewer buttons and a real life knob for volume control. The rear seat is somewhat cramped and uncomfortable; odd considering the Grand Marquis' size. However, the trunk is sufficient for all but the most demanding cargo needs.
Changes for 1996 are limited to minor engine and transmission upgrades, a new steering wheel, a new gas cap, and the deletion of passenger-side power lumbar support. The Alternative Fuel engine offered on the Crown Victoria doesn't make the leap to Mercury showrooms.
We think the Grand Marquis is a good value in a marketplace where $20,000 compacts are becoming the norm.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$215/mo for Grand Marquis GS
Grand Marquis GS
vs
$200/mo
Avg. Large Car
Reliability
The 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis has 6 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
6 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 96V070000
- Manufactured from:
- 1996-02-01 to 1996-03-01
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 73500
- Defect Description:
- WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
- Defect Consequence:
- THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
- Recall Number:
- 15E082000
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 1767
- Defect Description:
- Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
- Defect Consequence:
- If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Corrective Action:
- Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
- Recall Number:
- 08V051000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 08S01
- Manufactured from:
- 1992-02-05 to 1997-10-31
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 225000
- Defect Description:
- FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
- Defect Consequence:
- AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
- Recall Number:
- 07V336000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 05S28
- Manufactured from:
- 1992-02-05 to 1998-02-28
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 3600000
- Defect Description:
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Defect Consequence:
- THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
- Recall Number:
- 00V157002
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 00S16
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 1129
- Defect Description:
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
- Defect Consequence:
- IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
- Recall Number:
- 00V157001
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 00S15
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 1167
- Defect Description:
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
- Defect Consequence:
- IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
Mercury Grand Marquis Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Well worth it
5 out of 5 starsBigcar, 01/27/2016
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4dr Sedan
I was definitely sold on a town car or grand marquis and eventually found my 96 with a set of snow tires for 1400. 107000 miles. The very clean interior had me sold. I believe almost all of the parts were original. There's a lot of rust where I live and that caused some bad tie rod failure and holes in a catalytic converter. But parts are very cheap for these cars. The tie rod did last a … long time without grease when I think about it. The rest of the car has held up quite well with a ball joint replacement, bad alignment, being driven miles on a flat, shocks beat to death, and what Ive put it through in snowy parking lots. Engine has never given me an issue and the transmission is smooth, as well as the ride. The power is very good off the line and my engine has some sort of ecm tuning on it. Now most everything is fixed and I only hope the frame doesn't give out, because the rest of the car has a lot of life left in it. Either way my next car will most likely be another marquis or town car, with leather.
Good Solid Car- Great Used Value
4.63 out of 5 starsrobert , 11/09/2010
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 4dr Sedan
I have had 3 Grand Marquis. A 1985 that I drove to 250 K! A used 1990 that I drive to 200K. The last car was a used 1996 and in has 98K on it. No problems a good solid cars. 2011 is the last year. This was a great car from a generation ago, well built, cheap to run, and it will be missed by me.
1996 Grand Marquis
4.13 out of 5 starsgrandmarquis, 04/26/2009
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 4dr Sedan
My 1996 Grand Marquis now has 79600 miles on it and it still runs strong. No one would guess its age (especially since new ones look simliar). Good accelaration and pick-up, lots of power. I have had to have all the O2 sensors replaced, and the mass airflow sensor has been replaced twice. It still has its original battery. I have also replaced the spark plugs. I change the oil … ever 3000 miles. Fuel economy is good for the engine size but still very expensive to use for city driving (I get about 16 mpg city/23 or 24 highway)
Grand Marquis
5 out of 5 starsCGood, 02/17/2005
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 4dr Sedan
This is the fourth Grand Marquis I've had in the last 6 years. I now own 2 and will be purchasing my 5th in the next year. I do a lot of cross country driving and you just can't beat these cars on the used market for comfort and handling. Mine has 120,000 miles and runs like the day it was new.
1996 Grand Marquis Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $215/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 20.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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