1992 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

DT: THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTING. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS ON APRIL 21, 2004. VEHICLE LOST BRAKE FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON DRY PAVEMENT. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO NOISE. DID NOT CONTACT THE DEALER, BUT HAD IT REPAIRED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *NM

Mileage: 47,465

WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE 1999 THE PREVIOUS OWNER (WHO HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NEW HIMSELF) HAD ALREADY HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED 1 TIME AND TURNED 5 TIMES. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I IMMEDIATELY HAD NEW ROTORS PUT ON. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED 1 MORE TIME AND TURNED 5 MORE TIMES. AND AFTER I GET THEM TURNED IT USUALLY ONLY TAKES A WEEK OR TWO FOR THE ROTORS TO WARP AGAIN AND THE TERRIBLE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING RETURNS. I ALSO HAVE A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE SOMEWHERE. I HAVE TO "TOP OFF" THE BRAKE FLUID AT LEAST EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. AND I HAVE NO EMERGENCY BRAKE. PLEASE HELP!! AS A SINGLE MOM WITH A 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP HAVING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM REPAIRED OVER AND OVER--NOT JUST BECAUSE OF COST BUT BECAUSE OF THE TIME INVOLVED IN BEING AT THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE DONE. NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE--ESPECIALLY WITH MY BABIES RIDING IN THE CAR. IT SHAKES ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN I PUT MY BRAKES ON AND I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED THAT THE BRAKES JUST MIGHT QUIT WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I SEE IN THE COMPLAINT SECTION OF YOUR WEB SITE THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS AND VIBRATING WHEN BRAKING. IF THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT OFFICIALLY A "RECALL" YET, IS THERE SOME WAY THAT I CAN GET SOME ASSISTANCE ON GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE? I'VE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN I COULD AFFORD TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT ISN'T FIXED. AND I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY THAT I CAN PUT INTO THIS PROBLEM, BUT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE CAR. SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. HELP!!*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IF ABS BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, BRAKE ACTION IS SUDDEN & EXTREME, CREATING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS. ABS WILL ENERGIZE BY ITSELF WHEN VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS, PARTICULARLY IN WET WEATHER. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WILL "ENERGIZE" AT TIMES WHEN THERE IS NO SLIPPAGE OF THE WHEELS. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM ENERGIZES WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING IN PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IF THE ABS SYSTEM ENERGIZES, AND THE DRIVER HAS TO USE THE BRAKES, THE BRAKING ACTION IS SUDDEN AND EXTREME, CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE REPAIRING DELERSHIP (MANHATTAN LINCOLN MERC, 301 424-7000, "MIGUEL") HAS EFFECTIVELY GIVEN UP ON SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, AFTER A CONSULT FROM FORD (ENGINEER, ERNIE PECK?). WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET RID OF THIS CAR, BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS FOR MY WIFE AND OUR 11 MONTH OLD.*AK

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY, AND DEALER REPLACED BRONT BRAKE PADS/FLUID, AND BRAKE PUMP, ETC. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY, AND DEALER REPLACED BRONT BRAKE PADS/FLUID, AND BRAKE PUMP, ETC. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SINCE THE CAR IS NEW IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE WEAR. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT LEAST 3 TIMES UNDER THE WARANTEE AND ONCE AFTERWARDS. WITH ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON THE LAST SET OF PADS THEY SHOW SIGNIFICANT WEAR AND WILL NOT LAST MORE THAN ANOTHER 6,000 MILES. I HAVE READ IN ARTICLES OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS A DESIGN DEFECT.

BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT RETURN OR RELEASE BY ITSELF AFTER BRAKES ARE USED. DEALER NOTIFIED AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS PAID BY THE CONSUMER. *AK

BRAKES WILL LOCK UP ON ITS OWN WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING ,CAUSING SMELL OF BURNING SHOE PADS. VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY/ LOSS OF CONTROL. HAS REPLACED ALL PARTS WITHIN BRAKE SYSTEM. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK *JB

BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND APPLIED BRAKES INVOLUNTARILY AND SOMETIMES IMPERCEPTIBLY CAUSING WEAR ON PARTS AND OVERHEATING THE ROTORS.

ABS: WHEN APPLIED, HEARD GRINDING NOISE, BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR; VEHICLE STOPS ABRUPTLY, ANY SURFACE; VARIOUS SPEEDS, CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. CHECKED BY DEALER THREE TIMES, REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS, INCLUDING BRAKE SENSOR. *AK

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT FULLY RETURN, LEAVING ABS PARTIALLY ENGAGED, CAUSED SKIDDING ON SNOW COVERED ROAD. ALSO, BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD, MOSTLY STOP/GO TRAFFIC, CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NEVER CORRECTED. *AK

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT FULLY RETURN, LEAVING ABS PARTIALLY ENGAGED, CAUSED SKIDDING ON SNOW COVERED ROAD. ALSO, BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD, MOSTLY STOP/GO TRAFFIC, CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NEVER CORRECTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES; WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE COULD NOT BECAUSE BRAKES WERE HOLDING VEHICLE. ONCE BRAKES WERE RELEASED, VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND OWNER HAD BRAKE BOOSTER PUT IN, PART NO.F4AZ-2005-B. *AK

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES; WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE COULD NOT BECAUSE BRAKES WERE HOLDING VEHICLE. ONCE BRAKES WERE RELEASED, VEHICLE TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND OWNER HAD BRAKE BOOSTER PUT IN, PART NO.F4AZ-2005-B. *AK

DROVE INTO PARKING LOT AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK, APPLIED FOOT TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED 1N 1991, BUT THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT ANY NOTICE; ALSO REPLACED LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER AND TRANSMISSION. *AK

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

WHEN COMING TO A GRADUAL STOP THERE IS PULSATION UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ONE CAN FEEL A VIBRATION OR A SHAKING AS THE CAR COMES TO STOP, REPLACED ROTORS AT 13,000. *AK

REAR BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION WHEN THE ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, A SERIOUS VIBRATION IS EXPERIENCED.*AK

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE PEDAL WAS SOFT AND, WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP.*AK

WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME OR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, BRAKES SEEM TO HOLD AND NOT RELEASE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A GRADUAL STOP. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS. *AK DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS, AND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL, IT REMAINED DOWN AND DID NOT RISE BACK, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL PRESSURE IS FIRM AND DOES NOT TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE STOPS PROPERLY. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME OR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, BRAKES SEEM TO HOLD AND NOT RELEASE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A GRADUAL STOP. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS. *AK DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS, AND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL, IT REMAINED DOWN AND DID NOT RISE BACK, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL PRESSURE IS FIRM AND DOES NOT TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE STOPS PROPERLY. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME OR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, BRAKES SEEM TO HOLD AND NOT RELEASE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A GRADUAL STOP. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS. *AK DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS, AND SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL, IT REMAINED DOWN AND DID NOT RISE BACK, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE PEDAL PRESSURE IS FIRM AND DOES NOT TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE STOPS PROPERLY. *SLC

BRAKE LINE PUNCTURED. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 506187)

BRAKES SELF-ENGAGE IN VARYING DEGREES.

BRAKE PADS FAILED. *SD

BRAKE ROTORS WARPED. *SD

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THERE IS A NOISE . TT

POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE EA94-043. TT

BRAKE DRUM HAS EXCESSIVE BUILD UP OF RUST WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO GET BRAKE DRUM OFF FOR MACHINING; CAUSES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION. TT

POWER BOOSTER FAILED, BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. TT

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RETURN TO UPRIGHT POSITION, CAUSING EXCESS BRAKE WEAR AS BRAKES ARE CONSTANTLY BEING APPLIED. *DSH

THE REAR BRAKES ARE CORRODED AND THEY DO NOT WORK AND THE FRONT ONES ARE WORN OUT. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL CHARGE HIM FOR THE WORK. TT

THE BRAKES ON. SQUEAL WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES AND THAT THEY NEED MORE PADDING. TT

BRAKES REPLACED 6 TIMES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *SKD

DRIVER APPLIED ABS BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE KEPT SLIDING; SLICK OILY SURFACE. TT

THE ROTOR BECAME OUT OF ROUND, CAUSING VEHICLE PULSATION. *AK

ABS BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON STEEP DOWNGRADES. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKS UP WHEN GOING OVER POT HOLES AND SPEED BUMPS. TT

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE, DISC ROTORS WARPED. TT

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE, ABS SYSTEM FAILURE. TT

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO DEFECTIVE WHEEL SENSOR. *SKD

REAR BRAKE FAILURE, DRAGGING OF PADS. TT

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. TT

REAR BRAKE FROZE UP CAUSING TO SCORE BRAKE DRUMS. TT

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL STICKS. ALSO EXPERIENCES STICKING OF ACCELEATOR PEDAL. TT

THE BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TT

BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSED BY MASTER CYLINDER. TT

BRAKES FAILED TWICE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS/PADS/CALIPERS, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY, ALSO PULSATE. *AK

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, DISK ROTORS WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. TT