The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph, the front ball joints detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was pending a diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

- Toledo, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 mph, a noise emitted from the front passenger's side of the vehicle when making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The front right upper ball joint and tie rod end were recommended to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Shortly after purchase we went back to dealer to complain about bouncy suspension that made the car go sideways on the highway when going over bumps while in mild turns (just highway direction changes not getting off/on, etc.). dealer looked into problem via fmc and said the 02 suspension had been changed to improve its ride (ha). The changes were too great to be able to change components to get the ride back to what it was in earlier years. Only changes we could do to improve it were to get 4 new high pressure (fast responding) kb shocks and Goodyear assurance touring (more flex in sidewall) tires to reduce the impact. Now the car does not laterally jump feet but rather inches during highway driving as described above. Also: Starting relay was replaced twice and harness contacts in lower steering column developed poor connections and had to be sprayed with high cost caig contact improver to get car to start consistently. Also: Brake pedal raise/lower motor burned out due to gear seizing up in that area and had to be replaced with great difficulty finding a replacement across country since fmc doesn't make parts anymore (> 7 yrs I guess). Also: All 8 individual cylinder spark coils were replaced with high performance aftermarket ones after two of Ford coils failed, one at a time. All in all not a great car.

- Dartmouth, MA, USA

2002 Mercury Grand Marquis with defective rubber boots on ball joints. Consumer states that the dealer told him the rubber boots on the ball joints and stabilizer links were deteriorated. Mechanic stated this was due to weather, and lack of vehicle use.

- Mobile, AL, USA

This is a concern and I am wondering, if it should in fact be a complaint. I purchased a 2002 Mercury marquis on June 12th of 2003. I was assured this, as other autos had been checked out and in good order. I am now noticing the ignition key sometimes does not turn when I am trying to start the car. Equally important, I ran a carfax report and discovered on 11/18/02 this car had 27,262 miles. When I purchased it, and because of the mileage, which at that time was 27,279 I was assured this was a good car. I find now, that it was not the retired, senior citizen who wanted a new auto trade in, but this was a rental car from burlinggame, ca. Now I am wondering if I should be concerned this car was sitting for 8 months and thus only had 17 miles more in June than in November" or be suspect about the odometer being rolled back" it just doesn't seem accurate a 2002 would only have 17 miles more in 8 months from Nov. 2002 to June 12, 2003.thank you.

- So. Holland, IL, USA