What was/is wrong with your Marauder?

[tomd]

If we already covered this sorry. Question after you pick up your Marauder what did you find wrong with it?

Mine had swirl marks on the trunk lid, and who every buffed it also burn the rubber gasket around the rear window. Also scratches on the upper left front fender, that’s about it so far, only have about 3500 miles on her. :beer: :rasta:

[SergntMac]

not loud enough...

[Billatpro]

NOT fast enough

[JohnnyB]

Black moulding around the headlights is starting to lift off. Happended after I took delivery or maybe I didn't notice it when picking up the car. will be going into the dealer for a fix as soon as it warms up a bit....

At low speeds (5 mph) heard a ticking noise from the right rear. Seems to have gone away.

Got two driver side floor mats

Polish and buff job was OK.... I can do better
Sub-woofer pops when you crank the volume... have to check it out

Engine, transmission and everything else is OK......

I need warm weather!

[FordNut]

Passenger's side wiper blade doesn't park in correct position (too high).

At first, steering wheel cover seemed ok but now it's peeling away from back side of spoke on RHS.

Tranny shift points feel mushy, make tranny seem like it's slipping. FOMOCO says it's supposed to be that way. Reinhart chip will fix this.

Doesn't accelerate good enough, needs to have 4.10's available as a factory option. Reinhart chip necessary for speedo to read correctly if you do this yourself or have it done at a dealer.

[LincMercLover]

NOT fast enough

Saw that one coming a mile away!

Leather seats in mine WERE perfect until I took it in the first time. Some moron I think either sat or leaned acrossed it and put a little scratch in it (I wouldn't call it a tear cause it wasn't all the way through).

Have the paint re-worked, shifter plate replaced, and bumper re-mounted.

Still need mirror cap re-worked, center cousel re-done (they messed it up with the shifter plate), rattle in B-pillar fixed, running lamp seal re-installed, and seat fixed. :po:

[Mark McQuaide]

Leather on back right steering wheel spoke, sub rattles like crazy, wiper parking, some interior rattles.

[nomad]

Can't remember:alone: Still snowed in:help: :po:

[JT03]

Originally posted by Billatpro
NOT fast enough
A seven year old Impala could whip me
Everything else ok. :po:

[03 Merc]

The only problem I had was a show stopper... http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142&highlight=parking+brake especially since the system didn't show any info on the MM... They ended up "borrowing" the parts from another MM and waiting for the parts for it..

[RF Overlord]

Either I'm not picky enough, or I'm a cheap date. The only complaint I've had is the sub-woofer rattle, that the dealer fixed a couple of months ago. There were other little imperfections here and there, but I've long since stopped expecting perfection in ANYTHING...it's not worth my time and hassle to get it back to the dealer first thing in the morning and leave it all day and then have to try and make it back before they close to sign zee papers, old man. If it was something critical, or major, that's another story, but for a couple of swirl marks in the clear-coat?

[Smokie]

The only actual problem was/is the right wiper, it parks way too high, the dealer quickly informed me "it is normal, they are all like that". The car is not my daily driver so I just try not to think about it.

[Beadhead]

Black trim above right side running lamp is not as secure as the left side. That's it!! As far as the performance is concerned, there's nothing that a trip to Dennis (scheduled for this summer) won't fix.

[Fourth Horseman]

Just my stuck throttle problem which FMC quickly remedied for me. Other than that no real big issues. I'm still getting a very audible pop from the rear suspension somewhere whenever I go through a gutter diagonally. I don't think it's really a problem, but it's annoying. Haven't talked to the dealer about it, though.

[gonzo50]

Haven't been in yet for my 3000 miles service, I had one minor problem with the throttle body, :bigcry: it wouldn't stay open enough to let the engine stay running. Replaced part. Thats all for now.

[joflewbyu2]

no real problems yet after 1 month and 1500 miles. replaced the ****ty wipers with trico 22" rounded and spring loaded (this style keeps them secure at high speeds unless you have the spoiler type blade), relaced the heavy brass covered lug nuts with gorilla spline drive locking lugs (30% lighter, stronger and tripple chrome plated), added the black mercury rubber mats front and rear, added the black factory door edge gaurds, carpeted trunk organizer and have the painted spoiler on the way. should be here monday or tuesday. anyone with detailed instructions please e-mail me at joflewbyu2@aol.com thanks!!

[chapel1]

Passenger side wiper did'nt park correctly.Unlike Smokie's dealer mine was able to fix it so that it parks perfectly.And he did'nt bend it?
I paid to much, because I had to have it First.Although I did'nt pay MSRP?

[nexstar7]

mine had scratches on the stereo face plate and my front right quarter panel had dimples on the panel that where painted over.

[warren]

oflewbyu, RE: SPOILER -- Follow inst. and have all tools ready ( Taped two 12" flat rulers
or pencils across trunk and spoiler on either side to get good line up )- it should
take 30 min. only. Put a toss out tarp ( lite cotton paint type ) over the whole trunk
as filings from your drilling will drop down and may get on paint and scratch.
Also check out spoiler attachment tape - mine was loose and painted over.
You can buy more at auto-body supply store, 3M #306386 Black Auto Attachment
Tape. Once in place the spoiler looks great and you get more thumbs up !!!

Warren B.

[bchapman]

I have no complaints about the initial quality of mine. There are only two design flaws that bug me. My seatbelt clip is too close to my hip and the driver's door driprail does just that... it drips water on me when I open the window.

[MassMarauder]

750 miles on the odometer. Going to make an apointment this week for:
sub woofer rattle.
spongy brake pedal
brakes pulsating.
Leather wrap on steering wheel is unglued on back side.
No Glove box dampening.
First oil change.

[tomd]

Originally posted by Fourth Horseman
Just my stuck throttle problem which FMC quickly remedied for me. Other than that no real big issues. I'm still getting a very audible pop from the rear suspension somewhere whenever I go through a gutter diagonally. I don't think it's really a problem, but it's annoying. Haven't talked to the dealer about it, though.

I'm still getting a very audible pop from the rear suspension somewhere whenever I go through a gutter diagonally.

I think am getting the same thing? I turned right going up a hill and "POP" what could that be??? :confused:

[DHULK]

REAR WINDOW ON MINE DOES NOT GO DOWN COMPLETELY AND CENTER GAUGE PAC IS NOT MOUNTED. I`M WAITING FOR THE SPING WEATHER BEFORE I TAKE IT IN !!:burnout:

[Long Live #3]

Already gone through one windshield.

[WolfeBros]

Tomd, definitely sounds like a loose rear suspension component.
Guessing shock mount but why just sometimes ? I don't know.
When you take it in.....take the Service writer with you on a test drive so he/ she can hear it. Otherwise you will most likely get it back NTF. (no trouble found)

[beemer]

It was nice here in Mass last Saturday so I took my girl for a short ride and me alone for a longer one. 180 mioles on car now. Washed topside undercarraige wiped her down and tucked her away 'til spring and salt is gone from roads.

My initial impressions, remember I'm coming from a 2001 CV LX Sport.
New front suspension is tighter firmer, can't say that the "speed sensitive steering" is that sensitive. I'm conservative, and found the performance quite good, keeping in mind that the car is still breaking in, I was careful. Saw 100MPH once, and saw 5000RPM once. Car feels fairly effortless on the highway. Stereo has no rattles and sounds good. No car rattles, fit and finish is good all over. All in all, I'm very happy with this car.

Best to all,

Paul :D

[chapel1]

Yeah!And it's still fun to drive!I hope visitors don't get scared by this thread?I think we all still love our Marauder's.And these aren't really compliants?The car is definatly awsome and I think Ford could have put a little more Quality in thier Premieum Edition Grand Marquise?

[Reaper948]

hmmmmm Door piece thats next to all the gauges fell off......theres a scratching sound in the rear right wheel ......Subwoofer is popping.....there was a dimple in the Matrix dot dash.......yep all that initial quality

[beemer]

Sometime you've got to wonder. We were at St. Thomas last year when Marauder production had just started 1 week previous. They had run off about 45-50 test cars. The Ford Engineers were driving us around the parking lot in several of the test mule Marauders LOL. What are the build dates on the driver's doors of you guys with the rattle and squeak cars?
LOL mine has a build date of 09-02, and everything is as it should be, so far (fingers crossed!)

Paul:D

[Gaylon Harwell]

Front passenger window gasket rolled down with the window... and ripped. All is well now after a very courteous service visit.

[jefferson-mo]

My driver door hangs low and is tearing the strip at the top, windshield molding curling up on the driver's side--new windshield necessary to fix, 'rod rattle' on cold start, transmission is on dope:rasta:
Hopefully Dennis' chip will fix that(please say it's so)
4.10 Gears coming, subwoofer stinks but I think it's just too small
This is THE WORST paint job I've ever seen(very discouraged about that)and this car has been repaired, I found a piece of masking tape in the left rear wheelwell, a run in the paint in the left 1/4 in front of the wheel opening, evidence of serious industrial fallout or metal filings in the roof paint, foggy spots in the paint on almost EVERY panel, paint on the rear window molding at the top, very loose panels in the left rear passenger area(like they'd been removed) scratches all over(never been buffed).:depress:
Other than that the car drives great(except that dopey trans) goes like stink, handles great,stops on a dime and people still don't know what to make of it.:coolman:
I know the shop foreman at the dealer where I bought it and asked him to look into what was done to my car before I bought it and all they would tell him was there was a 'paintless dent removal' on the roof:bs:

Got an appointment at my dealer's Body SHop to have it fixed but don't feel real good about a repaired or repainted car........we'll see


MassMarauder...I was told there is no glovebox damping on the '03s
You guys with the rear suspension pop check the air suspension sensor bracket on the watts link. Mine had a stripped nut when we lowered it(but no rattle or pop)

:banana2:

[RCSignals]

MassMarauder...I was told there is no glovebox damping on the '03s

According to all the order guides, there is supposed to be!

[screamdennis]

got my MM aug 30th. and it had been scrached while in shipping , dealer had it fixed and rigth rear mag had a chip in , that was also replaced right away. the right front fender inner liner was missing , just the small piece that cover the front cover by the fog lights , still havent gotten that part yet.
i paid full price for mine , guess thats what you get when you live in alaska , otherwise i think the car is great , the ride is super and people really like it .
my rear brakes squeak when appling the brakes going to have the dealer check it out when i take in , the car has 2550 mile on it now

[bchapman]

After I had test-driven the Marauder, I came back to the dealer and said I was ready to buy. He had about 6 cars on the lot and said he'd "pick one out" for me and have it ready for delivery that evening. Well, even in the dark and the rain (the car was under an awning), we could see scratches all over the car and it was filthy and there were 120 miles on it. The salesman said he would have it buffed out, but we refused delivery, even though all the papers had been drawn up and signed. The dealer re-did the paperwork the next day for the floor display car (15 miles on it) and when I came in to pick it up, the salesman HIMSELF was hand-buffing the car for me inside the showroom. I haven't had a bit of problem with this car, except for the two design "features" I previously mentioned.

"Delivery" of a car should mean the car is delivered in pristine condition, no matter what you pay for it or what kind of car it is. Most flaws should be readily apparent to the dealer during delivery-prep and corrected before being handed over to the purchaser. I say, go over your vehicle with a fine-tooth comb before accepting delivery. It's very easy in the excitement of the moment to accept things that will annoy you later. (like a marriage! ha ha!! ;) )

[Macon Marauder]

I haven't seen the problems that others have (paint, fit and finish, etc.) Mine seems to have unique problems all its own:

1) Missing interior door trim (ordered for months now)
2) Wrong spare tire (still waiting)
3) Starter replaced at 900 miles
4) Cig lighter doesn't work
5) Lots of fine scratches due to inept wash/buff - easily fixed

Over all: extremely satisfied with car, dealer - not so much.

[mdmarauder]

I seem to have many of the same problems with my Marauder

1. Steering Wheel Cover Loose

2. Squeaky Driver Seat (I think)

3. Rattling Rear Deck

4. Minor Paint Flaws

I want to get these things fixed but I cringe at the thought of having the Dealer take my car apart. (Been down that road before)

I do have to say excluding my 2001 LS this is the best Ford Product I've ever owned.

[WolfeBros]

1. Steering wheel cover loose on right spoke.
(dealer ordered new steering wheel yesterday)

2. Minor paint issues. scratch on drivers door (repaired)

3. Package shelf rattle. (will fix myself)

4. Right wiper parks too high.
(replaced with Bosch wiper blades. Problem still there you just don't
notice it)

5. Performance issues. (repaired with Reinhart chip :up: )

Note to prospective buyers : Don't let these little problems scare you off this is still one sweet ride. With the rebates they are a great deal !

[tomd]

Here are couple more things that I’ve remembered about my Marauder.

Mine also has a Driver seat that squeaks.

Do the rest of you guys have a left front fender inner liner? I have one on the right side but NOT on the left (driver side)?

Reaper948,
make sure you get that dot Matrix dash replaced. Mine had a dimple on the left side; I hear that little piece cost $54.00! Hate to see what the right side cost!

Thanks WolfeBros I’ll have the shock mount check out when I get my car back.
:bounce:

[mdmarauder]

Has anyone here had the squeak in the seat fixed yet?

I wondered if it's fixable without going to the dealer. It's getting REAL annoying.

[MassMarauder]

Couple more things for me.

2nd gear is really funky. Feel the power, then the hesitation then power again. Hope the chip fixes it.

Package tray rattle (not the sub).

[jefferson-mo]

Hey Mass same thing with 2nd!:rasta:


I thought I was imagining it......I'm gonna get my trans tech ride with me and see what he thinks:stupid:

no squeeks or rattles...........uhhh........ .........except for the rattle I heard in the right door..............uhh......... ......turned out to be my Elvis chrome sunglasses in the overhead:o

hey Logan bet you don't have that problem:lol:

[MassMarauder]

jefferson......Keep me posted on that 2nd gear issue

[jefferson-mo]

I've got the Elvis issue worked out thanks:lol:



oh you didn't mean that?:uzi:

[jefferson-mo]

One other thing that's not a real problem but kind of a nuisance in the dark.....

Have any of you guys programmed the garage door opener in the overhead?:cool4:
I did mine and it's very simple to do and VERY convenient to use......:beatnik:

The problem is using it in the dark the buttons for the garage opener and the overhead lights feel the same and are almost in same place so there I am with a bright light in my face all of a sudden while still heading for my closed door....:eek:
and with the lights on you still can't SEE the buttons

so like I said more of an annoyance than a real problem
:banana2:

[WolfeBros]

The Reinhart chip will fix your 2nd gear problems. :bows:

[jefferson-mo]

Thanks Wolfie(insert howling wolf smilie here-how about it Logan?):rock:

[WolfeBros]

No problem Jeff-Mo.....but with a Sable chip you could pull the front wheels when you launch........:lol:

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by jefferson-mo
One other thing that's not a real problem but kind of a nuisance in the dark.....

Have any of you guys programmed the garage door opener in the overhead?:cool4:
I did mine and it's very simple to do and VERY convenient to use......:beatnik:

The problem is using it in the dark the buttons for the garage opener and the overhead lights feel the same and are almost in same place so there I am with a bright light in my face all of a sudden while still heading for my closed door....:eek:
and with the lights on you still can't SEE the buttons

so like I said more of an annoyance than a real problem
:banana2:

Replace your overhead light bulbs with a yellow bulbs. it's easier on the eyes

[Paul T. Casey]

took delivery in Nov. it was cold didn't open windows for a few days. when i did, the right front had a chip on very top. Dealer replaced it but musta got the cables tangled in the door. It wouldn't latch shut. I almost lost my wife on turn. if it was my ex wife, no problem, but I kinda like this one (she encouraged me to get marauder). took it back and is now fixed. done some windows in past, stuff happens. Have 10K on it now and no complaints.

[jefferson-mo]

RC.....what about if I got some of those HID blue/xtra sooper dooper white xtreme thingies???


:lol:

[Mark McQuaide]

Our Mountaineer has the same problem, can't see the homelink buttons at night, have to feel around.

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by jefferson-mo
RC.....what about if I got some of those HID blue/xtra sooper dooper white xtreme thingies???


:lol:

Hmm, well with those as overheads you might have to wear a set od #5 welding goggles

[joflewbyu2]

to fix the homelink problems, always put brand new fresh alkaline batteries in your remote before trying to program it to the car. fixes 95% of the programming problems.

[jgc61sr2002]

Joflewbyu You are correct and it also states that in the MM's owners guide. John

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by chapel1
Passenger side wiper did'nt park correctly.Unlike Smokie's dealer mine was able to fix it so that it parks perfectly.And he did'nt bend it?
I paid to much, because I had to have it First.Although I did'nt pay MSRP?

Hey chapel1 how did the the dealer park the right side wiper without bending it? I am sure a lot of people would like to know so we can tell our dealers.

Thanks!

[chapel1]

He told me that this has been the same problem since when he was a mechanic?They have to remove the arm and reset the keyway to a new postition?The keyway is a sometimes square pc of metal used to act as a gear or key to join two round shafts together.
This is what he told me.Whether he was telling me the truth or not I don't know?The key explaination is what I know about and applied to his two sentances of his brief explainations.
I had the same problem on my 93 ford C/V.And they fixed it the first time with out any problems.I did tell him it seems as if alot of dealerships aren't aware of the fix?And he said just send them to us?Then I told him Ford and Mercury should have a bullition on this and he shrugged and smiled!:po:

[RCSignals]

chapel1
the '93s used a different wiper drive and it was easier to change the position of the arm in smaller increments.
The new system on the '03s uses a much more "course" slotted shaft and positions the arm using a key. problem is that moving the arm one detent down puts it much too low. the only way my dealer could correct the high right side wiper was to slightly bend the arm

[tomd]

My 1998 Grand Marquis also had the right wiper blade up high.

What ever happen to hidden wiper blades? :confused:

[O's Fan Rich]

No valve stem caps! And it was not detailed very well by the delivering dealer. Now the air bag light is on and the steering wheel cover is peeling off!

[LincMercLover]

Hiden wiper blades went out when the hood cowl was brought closer to the windshield.

[Moparzz]

Had some finish issues on hood, roof and trunk. They sent it out to a body shop and had everything buffed out but I had to deal with the swirl marks (Zaino #5). Had an area of delamination in the windshield and they repalced the windshield for me. Wipers sucked. They tried another set off a GM and I ended up replacing those with Bosch. Service from my dealership has been very good.:up:

[Mark McQuaide]

Don't know if you noticed my other post, my dealer fixed the wiper position without bending it.

[BlackVelvet]

Haven't seen this posted, but at 900 miles, my driver's window stopped working (other 3 work fine, but that don't help much at toll booths). Other defects: Driver's door sticks some (seems to be loosening up) a dime size paint defect on the trunk, and some gouges in the rims. Guess I should have washed it before I bought it.

[Donny Carlson]

:mad: The "passenger side wiper parking too high" was a problem on my MM. I looked at the other 4 on the lot, 2 had it parked high, 2 did not. The other GM's i looked at were parked in the correct positions. I *****ed about it and the service department fixed it in like ten minutes. It's a simple adjustment.

I suspect somebody at the factory just put the right sides on a bit wrong. But normal, smormal. Customer is always right, especially on car the FoMoCo wants 35 cases of Ziti for.

:cool:

[Agent M79]

The only problem I have is... mine isn't here yet! :depress:

[Tom Kuznicki]

:mad2: Well, after taking delivery last June, The drivers side minnel molding, ( the rubber that the window seals into ) ripped after about 2 weeks, had it replaced but, the service tech broke the switch plate while removing the door panel. I got halfway home when the switch plate flopped against my leg,. returned the car after they ordered a new switch plate. Now, just last week the passenger side window will not open, I assume the motor self destructed, will take it back for the third time since new.

[ik04]

Things I noticed after leaving the Dealer the first time:

1. The paint on the left rear door has a small chip/bubble.

2. The trim pieces around the bumpers and tail lights don't come close to fitting properly. They stick out half an inch from the body.

3. The rear bumper feel like it is not connected to anything except at the corners.

4. No jack.

5. The engine misses badly and makes loud popping noises in the radio when the accelerator pedal is pressed when the throttle is closed (at any speed).

6. The transmission shift points suck. Period.

Kevin

[joflewbyu2]

8,500 miles and no problems. just glad i got an early 300A with all the goodies. was concerned with the 2004s coming out with dual knock sensors and more aggresive tuning but the Jetchip and the Superchips tuner corrects that problem. i tried both and they BOTH changed the way the car drives. gives the MM ATTITUDE - A BAAAADDDD ATTITUDE!!!

[ZZMarauder]

Early 300A - (6/02) Tach waits two or three minutes before it works, then it's fine until the key is turned off. Even with an immediate restart it won't work for another two or three minutes. I'm not about to have a dealer mess up the dash until it goes out completely. At least I don't see how high the engine revs when I start the car cold.

[crom]

I have 2000 miles so far, MM is a 300A. Check engine light came on at 400 miles. Had dealer check it, was a faulty sensor on the EGR, dealer replaced no more light. Small paint imperfection on hood. Love the car, plan on doing upgrades once warranty expires.

[Johnman]

The dash pad on my car was scuffed and warped and even had a small puncture when I bought it. I made them agree to replace the entire dash as a condition to my buying the car. They readily agreed. They did a good job except where they nicked the black plastic around the radio when they put it back in. Oh, well, I expected something like that with such a major operation. The car was absolutely flawless except for that. Since then, over 2K miles and no problems...