Overview & Reviews

Mercury was a division of Ford Motor Company marketed as being somewhat more upscale than Ford. Throughout the latter part of its 71-year history, Mercury's vehicles were essentially Fords with unique styling details and special features meant to enhance their desirability relative to similar Ford products.

It all started in the 1930s, when Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford hierarchy, one that would exist between the everyman Ford Deluxes and premium Lincoln Zephyrs. To achieve this, Edsel felt the vehicles of this new brand should offer distinctive styling along with innovative features and better capabilities. He named the new division "Mercury," after the Roman mythological god. The 1939 Mercury Eight was the division's first car. It distinguished itself from similar Ford products via a 95-horsepower engine that offered 10 more horses than the Ford V8.

The Eight proved to be a hit, with more than 155,000 sold by the early 1940s. Production stopped during World War II; after the war, the brand was realigned more closely with Lincoln. The company grew from strength to strength in the '50s, establishing itself as a maker of vehicles offering style, performance and cutting-edge technology. A dash of glamour was added to the automaker's image when James Dean appeared onscreen in a Mercury in the film Rebel Without a Cause.

The 1960s saw the introduction of Mercury's Comet and Meteor vehicles. The Comet featured diminutive dimensions and luxury accoutrements, while the Meteor was a midsize family car that followed the trend toward more reasonably sized cars. Racetrack wins boosted awareness of the Comet and helped the model make a big splash in terms of sales. By the end of the decade, the iconic Mercury Cougar, a variation of the Mustang, had been rolled out, its Eliminator version taking its place in the pantheon of legendary early muscle cars.

Hit hard by that decade's oil crisis, consumers during the 1970s were hungry for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Mercury responded with a new, smaller Comet and the Bobcat, the former a fancier version of the Ford Maverick, the latter a fancier version of the Ford Pinto. The brand's sales grew during a decade that was filled with turbulence and uncertainty for many competing marques. Mercury further expanded its lineup in the '80s, this time including the small, Ford Escort-based Lynx. Mercury enjoyed success with the 1986 launch of the Sable, a fraternal twin to the Ford Taurus whose sleek, aerodynamic lines and futuristic "light bar" front end styling set it apart from the Ford.

Mercury's sales hit an all-time high during the 1990s that would never again be matched. Minivans and SUVs were a big reason for that as Mercury introduced its Villager minivan and Mountaineer SUV. Late that decade it introduced a new Cougar, which differed from its predecessors by being a front-drive sport compact that also holds the distinction of being the last Mercury that wasn't a rebadged Ford.

The years following the new millennium were challenging for the brand, as changing consumer tastes and a lack of differentiation between Mercury and Ford vehicles hurt sales. Pundits often proclaimed the end of Mercury was near, but Ford kept stating it would keep Mercury around despite offering no hope for any unique future vehicles from the brand. Finally in 2010, Ford pulled the plug on Mercury, putting an end to more than 70 years of car-making heritage.

User Reviews:

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  What a disappointment... - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By BADKITTY - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I would discourage anyone from even thinking about purchasing this car. It has been vitually falling apart since I purchased it 18 months ago. On the outside, the trim around the window is coming loose, the headlights are full of condensation, the paint is easily scratched. On the inside, the defrost trim is constantly popping out, the sunroof motor fell apart, the carpet is pulling away, electrical harness falls out, the cup holder is useless. I have lights lit up all over the dash for no reason. Dont throw your money away. Worst car I ever owned by far and Ive owned a bunch.

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  Rolling on incline - 2008 Mercury Sable
  By Disappointed - April 30 - 9:00 pm

  This car rolls on an incline when in gear. Need to use both break and gas to keep car from rolling on incline ( if in drive will roll backwards gain speed quickly, same occurs in revers if on downward incline). Ford has requested I take it to 6 different dealerships for repair. All of the dealership say they cannot duplicate the roll. I live in the mountains and this a huge problem I have nearly rolled into several cars/objects because of the rolling. It seems the dealership have their mind made up that there is not a problem before they test the car. The first time the car was serviced for this issue was at 1K miles.

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  wish we wouldnt have bought it!! - 2000 Mercury Sable
  By crsharp - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Wish we wouldnt have bought it. During the first month of ownership it was in the shop twice for motor/transmission problems. Here it is, 9 months later and it needs engine work again!! prior to owning this car we loved our Taurus, but because of this experience we will never own another Ford/Mercury product!!!

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  never buy this car - 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
  By Jeff - March 20 - 10:26 pm

  Had the suv for a little over a year.Transmission and a few other problems fixed a month ago while under extended warranty. Warranty ran out a month later and right wheel berring is bad, heater coil is leaking and ac coolant is leaking. I like the suv but its having nothing but troubles. I called Mercury about the problems and they said there was nothing they could do for me. Never buy anything ford or youre stuck with it.

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  Meh - 1998 Mercury Mystique
  By Buddi - February 19 - 4:23 pm

  My parents got this car for my sister when she was 17 as a first car. The first day she drove it, when she drove faster than 45 the car started to buck, the transmission was slipping. Weve put more money into this car then we paid for it. Now Im 17 (shes almost 21 now) and its mine now. Not too fun to drive, its very jerky when changing gears and its really uncomfortable. My dad and I drove about an hour in it and we got out numb. After fixing it up a bit, shes running pretty good, but we still call it the Mercury "Mistake" because it is pretty much fail. The trunk for some reason floods when I open it up after it rains

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  Not suggested - 1999 Mercury Sable
  By JJsoares - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Though it has been a good car overall it seems ford needs to take the time to redesign their transmissions. Since I bought the car I am now about to put the third transmission into this car. At a cost of about three thousand dollars per transmission, I have put more into it than I have payed off. one transmission had lasted 108,000 miles, and the other has die at 181,000. I have had a lot of trouble with the car but by far the most serious has been the transmission, which if you talk to any ford dealer mechanic they will tell you it is a common problem.

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  Lots of fuel pumps - 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis
  By mattamypat - February 2 - 10:00 am

  My car has slightly over 36,000 miles on it. I just had to replace the fuel pump for the second time, imagine with only slightly over 36,000 miles. I am 76 years old, I had to have my car towed yesterday in 90 degree heat. It cost me over $540 for a stinking fuel pump for the second time. I have contacted Mercury via phone, both the 800-521-4140 number and the number you get when you join their user club or whatever it is. They wont do a thing, they wont let you talk to anyone who can make a valid decision. You get to talk to phone-flunkies answering flunkies and that is it. Some support, I have owned my last Mercury.

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  rear differential - 2006 Mercury Mariner
  By markm - January 30 - 2:20 am

  lease 3 vehicles all mercurys.my 2006 mariner has by far been the worst lease in last 10 years.after rotating tires,then purchasing 4 new ones,still road as if i had snow tires .sound was loud u couldnt have conversation. rear differential was replaced under warranty. 15 miles out of service dept rear fell out -almost got killed after swerving into oncomming traffic. lets see if ford reads these reviews!

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  Mercury Milan my worst purchase - 2007 Mercury Milan
  By jacklover - January 13 - 7:30 am

  We purchased our Mercury brand new from a Mercury dealer, got a great price for an AWD car. 1) The car does not shift when cold unless you lift your foot or reach 5000 RPM 2) The third driveshaft at 75000 miles 1st was replaced under warranty 2nd an 3rd on my tab. 3) Buy tires get the car aligned, the alignment only lasts about 25000 miles . Firestone Bridgestone goodyear not generic tires 4) the dealer must think my wife is an idiot. Free inspections are not free, they will reccomend something not needed. If you ask a question they will deny it. 5) They dont have parts for a vehicle that is 5 years old. The Dealer and Ford Recommend purcahsing a $917.r dollar unit for a $10. breathe

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  Bad Choice for a Vehicle - 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
  By John - January 2 - 6:30 pm

  This vehicle is not well thought out at all. The Nav/radio does not work well, They (Ford) said is was Satellite capable..WRONG, LIE. Said it will play MP3s, WRONG, LIE. Nav system is awkward to use and not accurate, for a $3700. option in a TECHIE Vehicle they BLEW IT. Ford bought me an AFTERMARKET Satellite radio, VELCROED to the Dash and BAD FM sound. No auto headlamps, no outside temperature. No wonder american car makers are having problems.