UPDATE ON ODI NUMBER 10208094. ON THE DAY THE MERCURY THAT I OWN WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO SOLVE THE SAFETY PROBLEM, AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITHIN 10 MILES OF MY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS A LATE MODEL LINCOLN TOWN CAR. ONE PERSON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL AND THE DRIVER DIED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE FOLLOWING IS A QUOTE FROM THE NEXT DAY BREVARD COUNTY FLORIDA LOCAL NEWSPAPER (FLORIDA TO…
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis cruise control problems
critical 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$600
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
FALSE ACCELERATION OF 2008 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. ON OCT. 9TH, MY WIFE AND I AND TWO FRIENDS (FROM PA AND DE) WERE IN VEHICLE HEADED FOR DINNER. CRANKED VEHICLE AFTER SETTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 22 HOURS. ENGINE REVVED UP TO AN ESTIMATED 4000 RPM CREATED LOUD RUMBLING SOUND AND VIBRATED VEHICLE. I WAS TOO FRIGHTENED TO LOOK AT TACHOMETER. TURNED SWITCH KEY OFF. MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO START ENGINE. F…
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis?
It's a serious issue. 14 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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