2006 Mercury Grand Marquis

The composite intake manifold on the 4.6L Modular V8 is prone to cracking at the coolant crossover passage, the same design flaw affecting the Crown Victoria and Town Car. The crack causes an external coolant leak that can progress to engine overheating, or an internal leak that contaminates engine oil with coolant.

Replace the intake manifold with an updated design featuring a reinforced coolant crossover. Dorman offers a well-regarded replacement. Replace all intake gaskets, the thermostat, and flush the cooling system. If coolant has entered the oil, perform an engine oil flush and replace the oil filter immediately.

Grand Marquis models equipped with the optional rear air suspension experience air spring bladder cracks and compressor failure, identical to the Crown Victoria and Town Car. The rear end sags when parked overnight, and the compressor runs excessively until it burns out. This issue is universal on aged Panther-platform air suspensions.

Replace the failed air springs or convert to conventional coil springs with a conversion kit. Coil spring conversion eliminates the air suspension entirely and is more cost-effective long-term. Install a bypass module to prevent the 'Check Suspension' warning. Replace the compressor if it no longer operates.

The front lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends wear prematurely on the Grand Marquis, causing a clunking noise over bumps, uneven tire wear, and a loose steering feel. The body-on-frame design with a solid front stabilizer bar places additional stress on these components. Failure can lead to loss of steering control.

Replace both lower ball joints and tie rod ends as a pair. Perform a front-end alignment after replacement. Inspect the upper ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, and center link at the same time, as these related components often wear simultaneously on high-mileage Panther-platform vehicles.

The HVAC blend door actuator fails with age, causing the climate control to blow only hot or only cold air regardless of the temperature setting. A rapid clicking or knocking sound from behind the dashboard when the HVAC is activated is the classic symptom. This is one of the most common complaints on all Panther-platform vehicles.

Replace the blend door actuator. On the Grand Marquis, the actuator is located behind the glove box area and can be replaced without removing the entire dashboard. Use a Motorcraft or quality aftermarket actuator. Consider replacing the blend door itself if the plastic door has cracked.

The alternator on the 4.6L V8 can fail, causing the battery warning light to illuminate, dimming headlights, and eventually a no-start condition. The voltage regulator is internal to the alternator and is often the first component to fail. High-mileage Grand Marquis models are especially prone as electrical demand from aging components increases.

Replace the alternator with a new or remanufactured unit. Test the battery as well, since a failing alternator can damage the battery through undercharging or overcharging. Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner during the repair. Clean the battery cable terminals and ground connections.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.