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 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis, and it carries 2 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 | 14 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 12% |
| Suspension | 11 | 10% |
| Tires | 9 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Power train | 5 | 5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 br
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 war
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 fam
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
?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 s
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: 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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 DE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 F
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 106 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 14 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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 68/100. 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.