Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1988 vs 1989 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 455 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▼ 19.4% fewer reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 1988 share | 1989 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 44.4% | 27.6% | ▼ 16.9 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 15.3% | 24.1% | ▲ 8.9 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | not reported | 8.6% | ▲ 8.6 pts larger share |
| SEAT BELTS | 5.6% | not reported | ▼ 5.6 pts smaller share |
| POWER TRAIN | 5.6% | 10.3% | ▲ 4.8 pts larger share |
| ENGINE | 6.9% | 10.3% | ▲ 3.4 pts larger share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 5.6% | 8.6% | ▲ 3.1 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 2.8% | not reported | ▼ 2.8 pts smaller share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.8% | not reported | ▼ 2.8 pts smaller share |
| STEERING | 4.2% | 1.7% | ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share |
| STRUCTURE | not reported | 1.7% | ▲ 1.7 pts larger share |
| TIRES | 4.2% | 3.5% | ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1.4% | 1.7% | ▲ 0.3 pts larger share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 76.4% | 65.5% | ▼ 10.9 pts smaller share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SEAT BELTS
Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 25 → 17
- ◆ Injuries
- 10 → 3