2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden, unintended increases in engine speed — at a stop, in a parking lot, backing out of a space, or with the cruise control engaged — and in several accounts the brakes did not stop the car. Front suspension and steering complaints follow, typically ball joints or steering-shaft wear reported at moderate to higher mileage. Many reports come from cars with relatively low odometer readings, so mileage alone is not a reliable filter for this year.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Engine races or accelerates on its own

   • 20 complaints (26%)
   • median 48,500 mi at 9.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2025

   Owners describe the engine revving to high rpm without warning — while stopped at a light, pulling out of a parking lot, backing out of a space, leaving a carwash conveyor, or with the cruise control set. Several say the brakes would not hold the car and they had to shift into neutral or shut off the ignition; some report hitting another vehicle or a garage fixture. Complaints describe dealers either finding nothing, disconnecting the cruise control, or replacing the throttle body, with the behavior returning afterward. Spread from a few thousand to over 100,000 miles, and reported in stop-and-go, parking-lot and highway cruise conditions alike.

   What to check: During a test drive, include a stop-and-go and a parking-lot reverse maneuver, and ask the seller whether the throttle body or cruise control has been serviced for this complaint. Have a mechanic inspect the throttle linkage and cruise servo before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was leaving a shopping center parking lot when I started the car up and everything was okay. I shifted the car into reverse and immediately the engine started to race extremely fast causing the car to move backwards with my foot still on the brake. I tried to turn off the ignition, but I was too close to the car behind me and I hit it. I was moving about 10 to 20 miles per hour with my foot on the brake which failed to stop the vehicle. After the accident, the car ran okay. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10400456, filed 2011-05, 27,100 miles

   “I have a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. While stopped at a light the vehicle has all of a sudden accelerated at high speed uncontrollably. My husband had both feet on the brakes and shifted the car into neutral as the rear tires spun wildly with black smoke rolling off of them. This was terrifying. We took the car to the dealership after contacting ford and they couldn't find anything wrong so they disengaged the cruise control thinking that may be the problem. The car continues to do this and you never know when it will happen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10269717, filed 2009-05, 47,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Headlights and exterior lights stop working

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 18,600 mi at 13.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2022

   Complaints describe headlights cutting out without warning at night, dimming or fading, and in some cases all exterior lighting failing except the high beams while the lever is held. Owners report being told the lighting control module needs replacement, and one notes the coverage offered for later model years did not apply to this year. Separate reports cover an inoperative turn signal, no-crank conditions, and smoke entering the cabin through the vents. Reported from as low as a few thousand miles up to around 120,000, usually noticed at night when the lights fail.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check all exterior lighting — low beams, high beams, hazards, tail and brake lights — with the engine running, and ask whether the lighting control module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Problems with my wife's 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis ls not cranking at odd times. I have cranked up the car, and driven it into the garage, then go back out a couple minute later - 15-30 minutes - and the car would not crank. The last time I pulled the car into the garage one evening and when my wife went to go to work the next morning it would not crank. The dealer's service department can not find a problem. However, the left turn signal went out about a year ago, requiring a module be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10065824, filed 2004-04, 15,213 miles

   “After driving to mall my daughter realized that my head lights were not on. Checked all fuse (under dash and under hood). None were blown. Realized that had no dome light but did have map/reading lights. No tail lights or brake lights except third brake lights. Had brights if I held high beam lever. Had car towed to shop. Was told that it was the light control module (lcm). Was told that ford had and extended warranty on this part. Took it to ford dealer. They said that it was only for the 2003-2005 models and that my car was not covered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10759856, filed 2015-08, 118,575 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Ball joint failure and front-end suspension noise

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 51,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2016

   Complaints describe the front end dropping to the pavement when a lower ball joint separated, sometimes taking out the tire, fender and sway bar link; others report clunking or noises from the front while turning at low speed. One owner describes a bouncy, floaty ride that made the car step sideways over highway bumps, with the dealer saying the suspension tuning was changed for this year. Independent shops recommended replacing upper ball joints and tie rod ends in some cases. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 55,000 miles, often noticed at low-speed turns.

   What to check: Ask for records of ball joint and tie rod replacement, and have a shop check the front ball joints for play and torn boots on a lift before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Shortly after purchase we went back to dealer to complain about bouncy suspension that made the car go sideways on the highway when going over bumps while in mild turns (just highway direction changes not getting off/on, etc.). Dealer looked into problem via fmc and said the 02 suspension had been changed to improve its ride (ha). The changes were too great to be able to change components to get the ride back to what it was in earlier years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10462251, filed 2012-06, 1,000 miles

   “Backed out of driveway at a friends house and went about 4 houses, when the right front of the car dropped to the pavement and dug into the asphalt. The car was stopped immediately as it was only traveling at 10 MPH. Upon inspecting the damage it was discovered that the lower ball joint on the passenger side had broken off. The tire was cut down on the inside sidewall and was pushed back into the fender forcing the fender back into the door. The rim and sway bar link were also damaged. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10207322, filed 2007-10, 80,476 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering stiffness, binding or loss of assist

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 82,950 mi at 10.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2021

   Owners describe the steering becoming notchy, stiff or binding, sometimes losing assist entirely at low speed, and in one case the wheel seizing during a turn. Complaints mention a rusted steering shaft, a loose pitman arm, and a missing coupler bolt as the findings, with shaft or component replacement as the repair. Several note that similar steering complaints exist on later model years. Usually reported above about 85,000 miles, though one pitman arm finding came at roughly 21,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for binding or groaning, and ask whether the steering shaft or coupler has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. Consumer stated that while driving vehicle they had no control over steering. 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11402472, filed 2021-03

   “The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the contact attempted a turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the mechanic stated that the steering wheel was rusted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 111,050. The current mileage was 123,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10543811, filed 2013-09, 111,050 miles
5. 5
   Seat belts

   Front seat belt buckles unlatch or will not stay fastened

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 14.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2024

   Owners describe the seat belt appearing to latch and then releasing on its own, whether the car is moving or parked, and in one case both front buckles unlatching after being secured. Another report describes a seat belt pretensioner sensor failure that disabled the air bags, with the part reportedly no longer available. Owners say they were told no repair or coverage was offered. Reported from under 16,000 miles up to around 140,000, with most accounts from cars well past 70,000 miles.

   What to check: Buckle and tug each belt firmly, including the rear belts, and check that the airbag warning light does not stay on after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10899622, filed 2016-08

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10970729, filed 2017-04, 140,000 miles

Buying note. Check the front suspension and steering carefully and drive the car through stop-and-go and parking-lot situations to see whether engine speed behaves normally. Because several reports come from cars with modest mileage, service records and a pre-purchase inspection matter more than the odometer reading alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.