Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 22 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 11% |
| Air bags | 15 | 8% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 5% |
| Steering | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated he noticed coolant fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact started the vehicle and noticed that the high engine temperate warning light wa
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
When driving the steering will feel loose and the car sway left and right but the steering wheel isn't moving. Feels like the front wheels are going to all of a sudden shoot left or right and loose control.. I had a 2001
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front seat belt was inadvertently unlatched. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by a
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an electrical glitch on the instrument cluster. Additionally, the battery was drained.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
PLEASE NOTE: This complaint/issue pertains to many nearly identical plastic intake manifolds sold as OEM, new or replacements for cars made in the last ten years- Dangerous perhaps fatal fires are likely not getting repo
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO LIFT THE ACCELERATOR P
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TTHE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASES. IT CLICKS INTO PLACE BUT LET'S GO AFTER VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS WENT OFF DASH, TAIL, INSTRUMENT AND SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THEN KILLED MY BATTERY
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 sha
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.
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
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RCM IN THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 24 of them (13%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.