Model year record

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis recalls & problems

The 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis has 2 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints78filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 6, 2015

Steering

Recall 15E0820001,767 vehicles

Problem: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E05600058,640 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Marquis

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	17	3	0	1	48,500 mi
SuspensionRear; Front	11	2	0	1	35,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Engine › Gasoline	10	1	1	0	73,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	10	0	1	1	37,499 mi
Steering	9	1	0	1	88,917 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	7	0	0	0	39,500 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	7	1	0	1	97,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicPedals and linkages; Foundation components	6	1	0	1	2,796 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch	6	0	0	0	45,417 mi
Air bagsFrontal	3	2	0	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH at night, the cruise control mode malfunctioned, and the speed of the vehicle increased independently. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed several times to the floor, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that he was afraid of driving the vehicle again. The contact unregistered the vehicle and turned the license plates of the vehicle to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer.…
Jul 4, 2025 · 58,000 miles
Seat belts
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that after securely latching the seat belt, the driver's side front and passenger's side front seat belt buckles unintendedly unlatched. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V227001 (Seat Belts). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Aug 1, 2023 · 100,000 miles
Unknown or other
For sometime now the Headlights on my 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis appear to fade or dim soon after turning them on; giving the impression they are losing power and about to fail. I live in the mountains and am very familiar with each and every turn I See on the roads I travel. You See that Is The Matter of Fact- If My Headlights Failed; I Would Not See The Turn Possibly A Fatal Fact.
May 2, 2022
Vehicle speed control
?yrs.ago While backing out of parking space at Calaveras Lumber, after shifting into reverse, & removing my foot from the brake; the engine appeared to receive a huge burst of fuel which shot me backward like a rocket slamming my vehicle into and wedging it under the frame of a pickup truck parked in the same lot. I am glad I was parked and had my foot on the brake prior to this unit or system malfunction otherwise the injuries could easily have been fatal on the highway. I think this defect may be a contributing factor to the car dying recently while on my way to a Wedding Reception in Roseville, which left me stranded after dark for 41/2hrs and 71/2hrs. 2days later. I have not been able…
Jul 8, 2022
Steering
2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THEY HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE STEERING WENT OUT. THE DEALER STATED THE COUPLER BOLT, CLOCK SPRING, COVER AND CONTACT PLATE WERE MISSING AND REPLACED. *JS
Jan 9, 2020
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I RAN OVER SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL WENT RIGHT AND LEFT SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. I FOUND A RECALL ABOUT THIS SAME THING. TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS SITUATION FIXED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE STRAIGHT UP POSITION. WHAT IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS: HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2002/MERCURY/GRAND%252520MARQUIS/4%252520DR#RECALLS
Feb 4, 2019 · 76,000 miles
Seat belts
SEAT BELT WON'T STAY FASTENED AND THE STEERING CREAKS
May 8, 2017 · 147,400 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS, LOW BEAM, AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO DEALERS (POMPANO FORD LINCOLN, 2741 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (888) 718-9266 AND SCHUMACHER LINCOLN OF DELRAY, 2102 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, (561) 454-1800) WERE CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THERE WERE FIVE TSBS FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING, BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,234.
Mar 23, 2018 · 72,234 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006