2002 Mercury Grand Marquis: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2023
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
“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”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Feb 2019
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2018
“The car has 87934 miles on it. When driving over 50 miles a hour it jerks and shakes the check emgine light will start flashing the coolant loght comes on then dies but will start right back up. Then coolant levels are fine. The license plate light does not work replaced bulbs and fuses”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
“The seat belts will not stay attached. You can put them on and they appear to be locked in and you can pull on them to see if they are attached and they appear to attach but then while just sitting, they may pop-off you and become disengaged leaving you without your seat belt on you. This can occur if the car is in motion or if it is standing still. Sometimes it will even pop-off right after you put it in the buckle. They are faulty. We called ford and they will not do anything to repair or recall it. I talked to 2 people at ford customer care and sent them an email, also but they will not do anything to help us. We also contacted a mercury dealer who told us to call ford.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that there was a premature failure in which there was an internal crack on the intake manifold, which caused water intrusion that affected other components. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2016
“Both back seat belts don't retract as they should, the test was done when vehicle is stopped but I checked my other grandmarquis of 1997, it has the same issue. I also took it a mechanic and they checked two different but ford crown victoria, it snowed the same issue. All vehicles were stationary during test. Is there any safety test I can perform to make sure they work or recall on this vehicle.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury grand marquis. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph, the front ball joints detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was pending a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Marquis by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.