Owners have filed 27 complaints
about the 2001 Mercury Marquis with NHTSA between 2001 and 2018.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 42
Against the median year of the Mercury Marquis. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 96
18.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Mercury Marquis
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Mercury Marquis
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
414.8%
Median failure at 81,500 miles
Seat Belts
311.1%
Median failure at 131,952 miles
Tires
311.1%
Median failure at 21,862 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
311.1%
Airbags
311.1%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 23,390 mi
Electrical System
311.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
311.1%
Median failure at 45,120 miles
Suspension
27.4%
Median failure at 117,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
13.7%
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.7%
Steering
13.7%
Median failure at 186,300 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
216.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
433.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
150,000+ miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2001peak 3Nov 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Mercury Marquis
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA05004Opened 17 Feb 2005Closed 6 Jul 2005SEAT BELTS
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN IN 2001, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS USING A TEST TOOL THAT WOULD DETECT A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION VEHICLES PASSED THE INSPECTION TEST FOR ONE OR BOTH FRONT BUCKLES.SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL SERVICE ACTION, ODI RECEIVED 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT A PASSED INSPECTION BUCKLE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO LATCH OR INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED DURING USE.IN ADDITION, FORD HAS IDENTIFIED 543 OWNER AND FIELD REPORTS ALLEGING BUCKLE FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO PASSING THE INSPECTION TEST.FORD...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 28,000 milesHartwell, GACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. A CRASH OCCURRED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO BE DIFFICULT TO FIND. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW IF THE HORN IS LOCATED UNDER THE HORN SYMBOL OR UNDER THE AIR BAG. HE HAS TO REMOVE HIS HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO BLOW THE HORN, WHICH TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,414.
NHTSA complaint #10251492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,390 milesHartville, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RESULT OF A CRASH WITH BACKING UPS TRUCK PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED PART OF THE DASHBOARD CAME AROUND AND HIT DRIVER INSIDE OF HEAD. DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10109988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM DURING THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #8019935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER STATES THAT WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM DURING THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #8019935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 186,300 milesCovington, GA
STEERING
GRINDING NOISE IN STEERING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY WHILE SITTING STILL. STEERING IS NOT AS RESPONSIVE AS IT USE TO BE. THIS HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME WHILE BEING USED FOR THE LAST YEAR, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11144991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean City, MD
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT UNLATCHES FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ONE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAS IGNORED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I AM DRIVING THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS NOW AND I'M CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. HELP!! WHY IS THIS PROBLEM A SAFETY HAZARD AND RECALL ON SOME CARS AND NOT OTHERS???? IT IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE ON ANY CAR!
NHTSA complaint #10449532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,952 milesSeville, OH
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT INDEPENDENTLY BECAME LOOSE FROM AROUND THE CONTACT. HE REFASTENED THE SEAT BELT AND PROCEEDED DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,952 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #10335273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesHartwell, GACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY MARQUIS. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SOUND THE HORN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. A CRASH OCCURRED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO BE DIFFICULT TO FIND. THE CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW IF THE HORN IS LOCATED UNDER THE HORN SYMBOL OR UNDER THE AIR BAG. HE HAS TO REMOVE HIS HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO BLOW THE HORN, WHICH TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT. HE FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,414.
NHTSA complaint #10251492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesRound Lake HTS, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I TRADED A 1999 GRAND MARQUIS IN ON A 2001 GRAND MARQUIS ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO. A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE 99 WAS THAT THE DASH LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING FUSES. NOW THE 2001 IS DOING THE SAME THING, THERE IS ONLY 53,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10214547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF EXPIRING WARRANTY, 3 COILS FAILED ONE AFTER THE OTHER RESULTING IN VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COST. WITHIN YEAR 4TH COIL FAILS. TRIED TO GET WARRANTY TO COVER AFTER 1ST FAILURE; FELT LIKE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. STILL THINK SOME SORT OF DEFECT. AM JUST PRAYING THAT I WON'T BE ON THE ROAD ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP WHEN #5 FAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10202726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesBrooklyn, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER HYDRAULIC UNIT FOR THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT SELLS THE PART. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS LOCATED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10200982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE OF THE BUCKLE ON THE FRONT SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE. IT APPEARED TO CLICK"CLOSED BUT UNEXPECTEDLY POPPED OPEN WHEN I DRIVING. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER . WHO SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE VIN.. HOWEVER, NHTSA SITE SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE VEHICLE FOR JUST THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALLS WERE TYPICALLY ASSEMBLY PLANT RELATED AND THAT THIS VEHICLE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE SIMILARITY WAS TOO GREAT TO IGNORE ,AND I WISHED TO REPORT THIS MATTER TO YOU. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT THE HAZARD TO MY SAFETY WAS CONSIDERABLE. I WILL REPLACE THE FAULTY PART AT MY OWN EXPENSE IN THE MEANTIME BUT URGE YOUR AGENCY TO FURTHER REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY THAT NOT ALL THE VEHICLES SO IMPAIRED HAVE BEEN RECALLED. LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 7 BUT WAS PRECEDED BY MANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10187777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,436 milesMesquite, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TWO COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ONE VALVE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10165625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesWestborough, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM / BALL JOINT FAILED ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE CAR. PRIOR TO THIS DRIVER EXPERIENCED SQUEAKING FROM THE FRONT END AND STIFFNESS IN STEERING/CASTOR ACTION AT SLOW SPEEDS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10154831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,400 milesNEW Lenox, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2001 GRAND MARQUIS [XXX].UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. FAILURE OF "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT " TO INDICATE IGNITION FAILURE. NUMBER 3 AND 5 COILS FAILED AS WELL THE IDLE CONTROL. CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT STOP LIGHT ,ENGINE CUT IN AND OUT DURING HIGH SPEED EXPRESS DRIVING RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE AS WELL POWER STEERING. CAR WAS FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE. EMISSION WARRANTY BOOK SHOWS THE 80K EMISSION WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AT NO COST.?CAR HAS 72K MILES. ALSO THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT " COMPONENT ARE NOT OPERATING! THE APRIL 2006 CONSUMER REPORT GIVES THE 2001 CROWN VICTORIA AND GRAND MARQUIS A BLACK MARK IN THE IGNITION SECTION. FORD SHOULD REPLACE BALANCE OF 6 IGNITION COILS AND PAY ME FOR THE REPAIR. A CLASS ACTION SUIT BE DONE !!! [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10151818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesNEW Lenox, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
ADJUSTABLE POWER BRAKE PEDAL IS INOPERATIVE I AM UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10115976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,390 milesHartville, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RESULT OF A CRASH WITH BACKING UPS TRUCK PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOYED PART OF THE DASHBOARD CAME AROUND AND HIT DRIVER INSIDE OF HEAD. DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10109988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,805 milesMiamisburg, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STOPPED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER STATED DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10101813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,862 milesBradenton, FL
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE REMAINING THREE TIRES SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10071776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bandera, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE BACK DOORS FAILED TO OPEN, CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS THE WAY THE LATCH MECHANISM WAS DESIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #10007515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stratford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER TO LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *YH CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #568235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackensack, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE,TAPPED LIGHTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED AND WENT THROW SEVERAL OBSTACLES BEFORE STOPPING. MR
NHTSA complaint #8021103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM DURING THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #8019935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER STATES THAT WAS INVOLVED ON A COLLISION AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOYED.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM DURING THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #8019935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stratford, CT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO START. ONCE STARTED CONSUMER PROCEEDED ACROSS THE LOT. CONSUMER STOPPED THE CAR AND WHEN GETTING BACK IN COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF GEAR UNTIL AFTER TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. AS CONSUMER APPROACHED THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, HE USED THE BRAKES TO SLOW TO A STOP. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #567030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WE WERE LUCKY. THE ACCELERATOR NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT SNAPPED DOWN AGAINST THE FLOOR BOARD. LUCKILY, I WAS DRIVING, NOT MY 70+ YEAR OLD MOTHER, AND WE WERE ON AN OPEN ROAD WITH NO PEOPLE OR OBJECTS IN FRONT OF US. EVEN SO, WE WERE DOING APPOX. 80 MPH BEFORE I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE KEY. THE DEALERSHIP DID A GOOD JOB. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE "WIRING HARNESS AT LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE HAD SOMEHOW GOTTEN INTO THE ACCELERATOR MECHANISM CAUSING THE GAS PEDAL TO STICK DOWN. THOUGH THEY FIXED OURS, IT BOTHERS ME TO THINK OF ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THE SITUTION BEEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. I FILE THIS REPORT IN THE HOPE OF PREVENTING THAT "TERRIBLE" ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. OTHER THAN THIS, ITS HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR*AK.
NHTSA complaint #760127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sykesville, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND USING BRAKES THERE WAS VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #898408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fords, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE IDLES TO 40 MPH. CONSUMER DEPRESSED BRAKES WITH FORCE AND VEHICLE IDLED LOW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CONSUMER STATES THE SIDEWALL HAD DETACHED FROM THE TREAD AND HAD DISINTERGRATED, THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY TIRE SHOP THAT TIRE WAS BEYOND REPAIR, CONSUMER IS SEEKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT (MICHELIN SYMMETRY TIRE P225-60-16)
NHTSA complaint #562531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.