RoadVitals

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Jul 17, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 78 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2025

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. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and the low oil pressure warning lights had illuminated two days prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ID
11674238
Incident
Jul 4, 2025
Mileage
58,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2022

?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 to start vehicle since and mechanics unable to diagnose why the engine is fuel starved when system parts tested appear to be in good working order. Something seems to be shutting off power or preventing power to the fuel pump and it is not the inertia switch, relays, fuses etc.. Components have been previously inspected by numerous others including dealer. No Recognizable Alert/Warning Prior to Incidents!

NHTSA ID
11474583
Incident
Jul 8, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2013

LEAVING WORK, APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM PARKING PLACE TO PARKING LOT EXIT INTO ROAD. WHEN BRAKING TO STOP BEFORE ENTERING ROADWAY, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH ENGINE RACING AT A HIGH RPM. PUSHED INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL STOPPED THEN PARK WITH ENGINE STILL RACING. TURNED OFF AND SAT STILL FOR A MINUTE THEN RESTARTED WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED BUT WAS THE WORST INCIDENT WITH ENGINE BEING UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10534684
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ..UPDATED 05/01/13 *BF UPDATED 05/06/13

NHTSA ID
10504951
Incident
Oct 5, 2011
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER OR CRUISE CONTROL WAS RUNNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION FAILURES. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10470149
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed May 3, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WATER HEATER IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES BUT THERE WERE MAJOR DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,100.

NHTSA ID
10457405
Incident
Apr 7, 2012
Mileage
115,100 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 10, 2010

2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LUNGES FORWARD (INCREASE RPM @1000, AND LOUD GROWL FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT) WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, I.E. APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. ONCE I RELEASE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE AGAIN, ALL GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THERE IS NO "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT, AND NO OTHER NOTABLE PROBLEMS. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND ANNOYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365287
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
155,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 22, 2009

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. IT CAN BE ONE MONTH OR FOUR MONTHS LATER THAT THIS HAPPENS. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO GET RID OF THE CAR BUT WE ARE AFRAID OF IT. THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECOURSE OR ALLOWANCE FOR US TO GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP US! *TR

NHTSA ID
10269717
Incident
May 15, 2009
Mileage
47,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 28, 2005

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT ALWAYS START. WHEN IT DID START THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE IDLING. TO ALLEVIATE STALLING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MUST BE PUMPED HARD WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE IAC VALVE WAS REPLACED, AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. NEITHER OF THESE EFFORTS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10146217
Incident
Feb 3, 2005
Mileage
24,998 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OFF OF CARWASH CONVEYOR, THE ENGINE RACED TO FULL SPEED. I HAD TO US BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR. WITH THE FRONT TIRES LOCKED, THE CAR STILL ACCELLERATED OVER TWO SPEED BUMPS BEFORE STOPPING.

NHTSA ID
10067960
Incident
Apr 27, 2004
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 8, 2003

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP ENGINE STARTED TO REV TO A HIGH RATE. DRIVER SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO HELP RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH FAILED. HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MECHANIC, AND CAUSE OF PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10042553
Incident
Oct 2, 2003
Mileage
5,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 24, 2003

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
10008037
Incident
Jun 13, 2002
Mileage
1,470 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2002

WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT STICKS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ON 2 OCCASIONS DUE TO DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM, THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8017039
Incident
Jul 10, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2002

CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 65MPH ON THE VEHICLE. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE MANUALLY OR WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. SPEED INCREASED TO 75MPH BEFORE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE. MERCURY DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SCC

NHTSA ID
8016956
Incident
Aug 12, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 25, 2002
Crash reported

WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR STARTED BACK AT A RAPID SPEED BEFORE THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. LATER FOUND THAT THE PEDAL WAS BROKEN AND THE SPRING MISSING, MAKING THE PEDAL ALMOST TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE DASH.*AK

NHTSA ID
763474
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 24, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR VEHICLE SPED UP WITHOUT CONSUMER APPLYING PRESSURE TO ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING TO HEAR FROM FORD ON THE ENGINE VIBRATION PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS GETTING THE VEHICLE WASHED AND THE ATTENDANT EXPLAINED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE CONVEYOR, THE VEHICLE RACED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND ALTHOUGH HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A REST AFTER CRASHING INTO AN ONCOMMING VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *JG

NHTSA ID
8012433
Incident
Jun 10, 2002
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 27, 2002

VEHICLE ACELLERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. HE APPLIED BRAKES TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004666
Incident
Feb 24, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .