Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and the ABS and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had a drastic reduction in speed. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions where it was repaired but the repair details were unknown. The repairs failed to remedy the vehicle. The contact stated the service engine warning light continued to illuminated and the vehicle jerked violently, reduced speed and attempted to stall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,037. Updated 12/03/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. The contact tried to depress the brake pedal and disengaged the cruise control but neither attempts to slow the vehicle were successful. The contact was able to slow the vehicle down only by depressing the accelerator pedal again after a period of unintended acceleration. The dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 10/24/17
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 pedal with his foot in order to get the vehicle to slow down. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. While the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 218,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl - the vehicle was a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. While driving the gas pedal became stuck. The vehicle then side swiped two other vehicles. The vehicle went off the road and hit a tree. The passenger side front was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. The failure mileage was 25,000. The passenger and driver sustained injuries. The vehicle was towed. Pictures were taken ,and a police report was filed.
I was turning into my drive way and the car all of a certain accelerated to a speed up and I immediately jump on to the brake to stop the car and it crashed into the back fence . I got out the car to check and see if the pedal had the floor mat on it and their was nothing on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Car would not idle after starting. Thank god it happened in driveway. Towed to dealer, and dealer replaced iac valve, and cleaned fuel system. Car had 37974 miles on it. Purchased used on 07/03/03, was certified as used car, 33750 miles. Noticed intermittent turn signal flashing when purchased. Changed bulbs, no improvement. Shouldn't a safety recall be issued instead of a TSB on the idle problem?
Cruise control moves gas pedal rapidly down and back up at a rate of 1 to 2 occilations per second, at times car can be felt to jerk back and forth. Dealer has made many attempts to correct the issue under warrenty but now is being told that Ford will no longer pay for repairs. I feel this May be a safety issue as I do not know when the car May accelerate out of controll.
While driving vehicle and upon backing out of driveway consumers foot slipped off gas pedal, could not find brake pedal to stop vehicle. Consumer hit a parked vehicle. Consumers foot became engaged with the ledge of the gas pedal as he was attempting to put on brakes while backing out of the driveway.
Acceleration complaints in other Grand Marquis years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, 17% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.