Page 2 of 8 · complaints 51–100 of 372

2002 Mercury Mountaineer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 19, 2011TN

MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE REAR BACK PANEL. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR MY BACK PANEL CRACKED AT 76,000 MILES. OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME TO REPLACE THIS PANEL $500. NOW 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK IN THAT PANEL AND DAYS LATER THE ENTIRE PANEL FLEW OFF MY CAR AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE SHOCK OF THE DRIVER IN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. FORD/MERCURY SHOULD MAN UP AND RECALL THESE. FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART. EVERYWHERE I GO I SEE MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS WITH CRACKED, HALF GONE OR COMPLETELY GONE REAR BACK PANELS. RIDICULOUS. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Oct 11, 2011NJ

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED ON 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. HINGE CAME OFF AND THE ENTIRE GLASS WINDOW EXPLODED FILLING ENTIRE VEHICLE WITH FLYING GLASS. *KB

Power Train
Filed Sep 7, 2011PA

I JUST FINISHED GETTING GAS. I TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. IT IS JUST DANGLING. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY SO THAT IT WOULD ROLL BACK AND CRASH INTO SOMEONE ELSE CAR OR JUST A PEDESTRIAN. I PAID TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME FOR $59. UPON GOING HOME, I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS WHO CLEARLY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE FOR THE PART AND LABOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT ONE STEP FURTHER AND WENT ONLINE TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS HOWEVER, I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I AM OUTRAGED AND I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 5, 2011CA

CHANGING GEAR AND GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF IN HAND. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 201172,000 milesIL

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. 70000 MILES NO TOWING JUST STREET DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. SEEMS TO BE COMMON ISSUE FOR FORD ON 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Filed Aug 14, 2011PA

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 85,000 MILES, AS CASE NUMBER 10187427. RUBBING SOUND IN DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL AS WHEEL ROTATES; GOING FRONTWARDS OR BACKWARDS BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS, CALIPERS ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND NOISE HAS NOT CEASED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 20, 201175,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A VERY HARD SHIFT FOR A FEW MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER RECENTLY STATED THERE WAS A BLOW HOLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE HOLE EXPANDED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT THAT COULD BE USED, BUT NOT UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/22/12 *CN UPDATED 8/11/12

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 7, 2011165,000 milesNJ

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS UNEXPECTED IGNITION MISFIRING CODES, CAUSING HARD IDLE. AND THIS IS CAUSING COSTLY DIAGNOSTIC SERVICING THAT CANT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ASKED 25 OTHER OWNERS AND THE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM...VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train
Filed May 15, 2011120,000 milesWA

DROVE TO GROCERY STORE AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE CAR IN PARK AND UNABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK. IT WILL GO IN EVERY OTHER GEAR BUT WILL NOT GO INTO PARK. ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE GEAR SHIFT AFTER THE GEAR SHIFT ARM BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF PARK A FEW MONTHS AGO. NOW LOOKING AT MORE MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK CAR. NOW MUST LEAVE CAR IN GEAR AND LEAVE KEYS IN THE CAR. THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 4, 201192,213 milesCA

NEW SHOWROOM 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING; NO OVERHEATING, NO DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATORS EITHER TIME. JULY 2004/ODOMETER READING 92213, THE MECHANICS AT THE FREEWAY LINCOLN MERCURY WERE BAFFLED. THEY ADVISED ME THAT ALL THE FLUIDS WERE IN THE VEHICLE. LATER (ONE WEEK) THEY FOUND A "HOLE" IN THE RADIATOR. I WAS TOLD I HAD A NEW ENGINE, WITH A NEW WARRANTY. 2ND TIME WAS JUNE 06, ODOMETER 166199,(NEW ENGINE 73986) NO WARNING, NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS, NO OVERHEATING. PER A DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC NOT ONLY WAS THE ENGINE NOT NEW BUT IT HAD SEVERE CORROSION IN IT AND SHOWED SIGNS OF MULTIPLE OVERHEATING CONDITIONS. THEY TOLD ME OF AN "ALL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" DATED 1/21/02 FOR MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE REGARDING THE "ENGINE HEAD GASKET"---"SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHICLE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA DUE TO PARTICLE CONTAMINATION OR SCRATCHES AND DENTS TO BLOCK MATING SURFACES." ACTION: REFER TO THE FOLLOWING SERVICE INFORMATION FOR RECOMMENDED GASKET SEALING SURFACE PREPARATION PROCEDURES. IF THE ENGINE DIAGNOSIS POINTS TO A FAULTY HEAD GASKET (LEAKS OIL, LEAKS COOLANT, OIL OR COOLANT CONTAMINATION, OR AIR IN COOLANT), THOROUGH CLEANING PROCEDURES ARE NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL HEAD GASKET REPAIR. DIAGNOSIS AND POST- REPAIR CONFIRMATION CAN BE DONE SUCCESSFULLY UTILIZING LEAK DETECTION METHODS SUCH AS A BLACK LIGHT DYE PROCESS. SERVI

Visibility2 injured
Filed Mar 28, 2011150,596 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW AND THE HINGE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW FELL ONTO THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL RESULTING IN TWO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,596.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Feb 17, 201187,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS AT THE DEALER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIANS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE REPAIRS MADE. AFTER THE REPAIRERS WERE MADE, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Structure1 injured
Filed Dec 14, 2010155,000 milesNY

HIT THE REMOTE CONTROL BUTTON TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH FOR THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE REAR HATCH OPENED ONLY HALFWAY AUTOMATICALLY, AS IT IS SUPPOSE TO OPEN FURTHER I PUSHED IT UP, WITHOUT UNUSUAL FORCE AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, AND THE ENCASEMENT THAT HELD IT HIT ME IN THE HEAD RATHER HARD. IT IS NOW WITHOUT A WINDOW. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED IN 2004 WHEN, DURING A COLD SNAP HERE IN NY IT SPIDERED INTO A CRACK BUT DID NOT SHATTER. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY ARGUED AT FIRST, BUT THEN THE PHONE STARTED TO RING AND THEY DECIDED IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND DESIGN "FLAW". *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 30, 201090,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE COLUMN SHIFT TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/26/118LJ UPDATED 02/11/11

Electrical System
Filed Nov 30, 201090,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DOOR WAS EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. UPDATED 01/26/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. UPDATED 03/25/11

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Nov 10, 2010120,929 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A 19 MONTH OLD TODDLER SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE WITHOUT THE KEYS BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GATE AND ROLLED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE REAR DOOR AND THE GATE WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,929.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 7, 201086,000 milesTX

DRIVING FROM DALLAS, TX, TO WEST LAFAYETTE, IN, IN JAN 2010, THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 4.6L V8 ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING US TO STOP IN A SMALL TOWN TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPAIRED. THIS WAS A FACTORY INSTALLED (NOT REPLACED) SPARK PLUG. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN THE FORD V8 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 86,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND WAS NOT DUE FOR A SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT UNTIL 100,000 MILES. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AS GASOLINE IS SPEWING OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WITH AN ATTACHED AND STILL ARCING SPARK PLUG. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Nov 5, 2010127,462 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE HATCH ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT FRACTURED AND THE GLASS FELL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER THAT INFORMED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01I010000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,462.

Power Train
Filed Oct 22, 2010115,000 milesWA

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - DROVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND PARKED THE CAR. CAME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER TO GO HOME. STARTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE SUV WAS STUCK IN PARK. TRIED TO PUSH BREAK AND PULL BACK GEAR SHIFT TO PLACE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE IN HAND. CURRENTLY AT SHOP. TOLD CAR WILL NEED ENTIRE NEW STEERING COLUMN. ALSO SUV HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING. MAJOR DELAY WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR UNTIL IT ACTUALLY GOES IN GEAR. THERE IS USUALLY A PAUSE AND THEN CAR WILL JERK INTO PLACE. *TR

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 20, 2010166,000 milesMS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

Electrical System › Starter AssemblyFire
Filed Oct 6, 2010ID

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD *TGW THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. THE CONSUMER ALSO MAILED IN A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB

Visibility
Filed Oct 3, 2010115,000 milesOH

2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILURE NO DEFROSTER HEAT COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE OF BLEND DOORS BROKEN HAD TO REPAIR MYSELF BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY HIGH COST FOR DEALER REPAIRS. THIS IS A FAILURE THAT WILL HAPPEN DO TO POOR DESIGN OF PLASTIC PARTS AND WILL HAPPEN TO ALL VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR AND TYPE BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF PLASTIC LIMIT PIN BREAKAGE POOR DESIGN BECAUSE. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 27, 2010101,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE AS IF WERE "FLOATING". THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON EXAMINATION; THE CONTACT COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. HE RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND AS HE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SWAY BAR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE SWAY BAR WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 01/11/2011*LJ UPDATED 03/28/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 17, 201065,000 milesIL

WIFE DRIVING TO WORK WHEN CAR STOPPED MOVING. PULLED OFF STREET (NEAR A CAR SHOP), PAID $100 FOR THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY SAID THAT GEARS AND BELT BLEW OUT AND THAT HE USED TO WORK WITH FORD AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLIER 2000'S SUVS (EXPLORER AND MOUNTAINEERS). ~$3000 TO FIX BY THEM. RESEARCHED ON LINE AND SAW ALL OF THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE HAVING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2010HI

MY HUSBAND HAS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER & WE WERE DROPPING HIS NIECE OFF AT HOME, PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR IN PARK & SHE GOT OUT. WHEN HE TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, WE HEARD A SNAP, & THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS HANGING DOWN. HE PULLED THE RUBBER COVERING OFF & FOUND THAT A METAL PIECE RIGHT INSIDE THE GEARS SHIFT ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. WE HAD NO WAY OF PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR SO WE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW US HOME & THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS. WE HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED & JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT FORD WANTS US TO BUY A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FOR $1,300! SO ON TOP OF THE RENTAL CAR FEE WE ARE PAYING, WE NEED TO FIND ANOTHER $1,300 TO FIX HIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, & THE FORUMS I'VE COME ACROSS HAVE ALL HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, & THE PICTURES ARE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR ALSO! I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FOR THE FORD/MERCURY VEHICLES THAT NEED TO BE INSPECTED. SEEMS THE METAL USED IN THAT PARTICULAR PART IS EITHER TOO WEAK OR MAYBE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED IN SOME WAY. I DON'T KNOW! *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 30, 201065,000 milesMO

I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY BABYSITTER'S HOME. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FELL OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING AND WAS VERY MUCH SHOCKED THAT I COULD BREAK IN TWO A METAL OBJECT IN A CAR THAT SHOULD LAST FOR MANY MANY YEARS. AT THE TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN, EVEN AFTER HAVING THE PART REPLACED BY GARY CROSSLEY FORD IN LIBERTY, MO. I AM MUCH MORE AWARE NOW OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN HAPPEN AND AM NOTICING WEAR ON THE RUBBER CASING AROUND THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. I DO NOT WANT THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN TO ANY ONE. IT WAS VERY DISTRESSING TO HAVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FALL OFF! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 201086,000 milesMO

PURCHASED 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM FORD DEALERSHIP IN 2007. TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, TOOK IN TWO DAYS LATER AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND INFORMED NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN. IN AUGUST 2010, VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS ONCE AGAIN DEFECTIVE AND SENSORS AS WELL AS CPU UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHED ON LINE ON WWW.AUTOBEEF.COM AND NOTED MANY OTHER DEFECTS ON SIMILAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEARS WITH VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. APPROXIMATE COST TO FIX $2,400 DOLLARS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 201090,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JUMP AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED TWICE IN EIGHT MONTHS AND A LOCAL MECHANIC ALSO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STAY IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE CONSISTENTLY WHICH WAS WHY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNEVEN RIDE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE NEEDED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IN THE WINTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Aug 2, 201060,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THE OVERDRIVE OFF WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. FOLLOWING REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL INVOLUNTARILY. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER COLUMN WAS BENT AND THE SHIFT LINKAGE CABLE POSSIBLY WAS ABNORMALLY STRETCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Wheels
Filed Jul 13, 201050,000 milesAR

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. I JUST REPLACED THE SAME WHEEL BEARING AT 100,000 MILES. THE TWO REAR BEARINGS HAVE ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED AS FAILING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I HAVE HAD WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS ON. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 1, 201099,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ON VACATION IN FLORIDA 1400 MILES FROM HOME WITH MY KIDS, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE 75 ON ALLIGATOR ALLEY WHEN I WAS COMING UP ON TWO SEMI TRUCKS, I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND INSTEAD OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUTTING OFF IT SPED UP FAST SENDING ME TOWARDS THE SEMI TRAILERS GOING ABOUT 85 MPH, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND VEERED OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND GRABBED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW IT DOWN AND THE SHIFT LEVER BROKE OF IN MY HAND, I GOT THE SUV HOME AND CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR FAILURE BUT THAT I HAVE TO PAY AROUND 1 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE SHIFTER ARM THAT BROKE OFF WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT CAUSED ALL OF THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THE SHIFTER ARM SHOULD BE A RECALL ALSO AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF INSTANCES OF SHIFTER ARMS BREAKING ON THESE MODELS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 17, 2010150,000 milesWV

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, I HAVE HAD MORE PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR THAN ARE COUNTABLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLOWLY BEEN SLIPPING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE WITHIN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, AND NOW MY CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND OD OFF LIGHT IS ON. MECHANICS NOW SAY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE LOOKED AT NUMEROUS REVIEW ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL CARS AND ALL HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND THOSE WHO SAID THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND IT WAS A WASTE OF MONEY. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO THESE PRICES IS GETTING VERY COSTLY FOR A CAR THAT SEEMS LIKE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 15, 201090,000 milesMD

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TAILGATE DEVELOPED A CRACK BETWEEN THE EMBLEM AND THE REAR GLASS LIFT. IT WAS FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND HAS SINCE CRACKED AGAIN. SINCE THIS CRACK HAS DEVELOPED, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME CRACK IN ALMOST EVERY FORD EXPLORER AND MOUNTAINEER THAT I SEE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ONLY COVER THE REPAIR ONCE. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I THEN CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. KEEP IN MIND, I HAVE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS VISITS FOR MY TRANSMISSION HAVING ISSUES FROM THE BEGINNING AND I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WHERE IT SUDDENLY "TAKES OFF" AND GOES REALLY FAST. FORD NEEDS TO STAND BY IT'S VEHICLES AND FIX THEM WHEN THERE ARE OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECTS! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 11, 201087,000 milesOH

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AWD V8 - APPROXIMATELY JANUARY AND MAY 2009 BOTH REAR HUB BEARINGS WENT BAD AT 87,000 AND 90,000 MILES , BOTH SETS OF EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES WERE DISINTEGRATED WHEN TAKEN OFF . REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN . FRONT DIFFERENTIAL BOX HAS LEAKED FOR SOME TIME NOW . REAR END AXLE SEAL HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME NOW . GOING ON 4TH SET OF BRAKES ON FRONT . JUNE 2010 AT 109,000 MILES TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT OUT - AFTER ACTING UP FROM TIME OF PURCHASE AT 37,000 MILES - IT WOULD SLIP WHEN PUT IN DRIVE AT FIRST MORNING STARTUP AND WOULD JERK ERRATICALLY AT LOW SPEEDS - WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING WITH VEHICLE . *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2010132,000 milesOK

I HAD DRIVEN MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER TO WORK, I GENTLY PULLED BACK ON THE GEAR SHIFT, TO PUT IT INTO PARK, AND IT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO LEAVE IT IN DRIVE AND ALSO HAD TO LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE CAR. I DIDN'T REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT BEING STOLEN BECAUSE IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE PUT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF MOUNTAINEER, DO TO SO MANY PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSIONS, AUTO WINDOWS, GEAR SHIFTS, WHEEL WELDS, AND NOW A FIRE MAY START IN THE CAR EVEN IF IT'S NOT RUNNING. REALLY, I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL ONE OF THEM BLOWS UP, KILLING SOMEONE, BEFORE FORD WILL LISTEN. *TR

Steering
Filed May 25, 2010170,000 milesID

GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. TOTALLY BROKEN METAL PIECE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 27, 2010125,000 milesNC

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND STUTTER IN TRAFFIC HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT IN 2008 COSTING $3600.00, THE DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING PROBLEMS ON FRONT AND REAR WITH THE CAR WHEELS SPINNING AND STICKING AT TIMES, THE TIRES (ALL FOUR) BALLING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT HAVING TO REPLACE THEM EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, THE POWER LOCKS, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO LIKE ITS A SHORTAGE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Apr 26, 2010134,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER.WHILE PARKING, THE GEAR SHAFT SUDDENLY BROKE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2010TX

THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NOTICEABLE AT FIRST. THE SUV FELT HEAVY WHEN ACCELERATING, IT WILL JERK EVERY NOW AND THEN IT WAS LIKE THIS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO DAYS THEN THE O/D LIGHT FLASHED RAPIDLY AND ON THE MESSAGE CENTER IT DISPLAYED CHECK TRANSMISSION< THE TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPS ON EVERY GEAR IT REVS WITHOUT ACCELERATING AND WHEN UNEXPECTED IT CATCHES ITSELF AND LUNGES JERKS FORWARD. IT ALSO MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS. THIS IS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTAION . I TOOK IT TO GET DIAGNOSTICS CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY THAT THERE HAD BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN MY AREA DEALING WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE NOT TRIED TO CORRECT THE FAULTY TRANNY . I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF IT CUSTOMERS /CONSUMERS AND SHOULD HAVE A NATIONWIDE RECALL TO REPAIR SUCH FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN MORE CLOSE TO CRASHING THIS YEAR THAN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING. THIS FAULTY TRANSMISSSION IS DANGEROUS. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 31, 2010TX

GEAR STUCK IN PARK. UPON RELEASE GEAR SHIFT BROKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. $2000 IN REPAIR/DAMAGE. UNABLE TO FIND USED PART AS IT IS SELLS QUICKLY DUE TO THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 201077,000 milesNJ

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. MAINTENANCE KEPT UP TO DATE. I STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY WHEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED AND IT KEPT JERKING. IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AT ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY. EVERYWHERE I WENT TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. IT COST ME OVER $2,000.00 FOR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I AM SHOCKED TO SEE SO MANY OTHERS WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT I NEVER HAD ANY OTHER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND SUDDENLY I LOSE A TRANSMISSION. IT SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL WAS DUE TO MYSELF AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I WAS READY TO MAKE MERCURY MY MAIN CHOICE OF VEHICLE BUT AFTER THIS, I DON'T THINK SO. I WOULD LOVE TO BE INCLUDED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Mar 25, 2010108,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Mar 22, 201080,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDSHIELD ON THE REAR LIFT GATE AND IT SHATTERED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA RECALL # 01I010000, VISIBILITY GLASS, SIDE/REAR HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED ON THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE THE CONTACT HAD THE REAR WINDSHIELD REPAIRED ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THREE YEARS AGO THE WINDSHIELD RECALL REPAIR WAS SATISFIED. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS MADE IN APRIL OF 2007. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 17, 2010116,000 milesRI

OUR 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER'S TRANSMISSION BLEW AFTER 116,000 MILES. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS TO GET AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IT AND THEY ALL TOLD US THE MOUNTAINEER IS FAMOUS FOR THIS DEFECT AND NO ONE, INCLUDING NHTSA HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK IT IS GROSSLY UNJUST THAT A CAR'S TRANSMISSION FAILS AFTER ONLY 90-100,000 MILES AND IT'S SO COMMON THAT IT IS APPARENTLY ACCEPTED. THIS IS WRONG. I AM CERTAIN IF YOU INVESTIGATE THE SHEER NUMBER OF MOUNTAINEERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT IT WILL PROMPT A RECALL AND AT LEAST A FIX AT NO COST TO THE UNSUSPECTING OWNER WHO HAS FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED THEIR VEHICLE IN EVERY WAY, ONLY TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 201099,000 milesPA

THE TRANSMISSION ON THE EARLY MODEL 2002'S GO BAD EARLY. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED MANY MANY COMPLAINTS. I FOUND A FEW THAT SAID THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, BUT WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Mar 8, 201052,489 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS RECALL CAMPAIGN (04V442000) ISSUED FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACK GOING FROM THE GLASS ALL THE WAY DOWN PAST THE MOUNTAINEER EMBLEM ON THE BACK HATCH OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS HEARD OF REAR WINDOWS EXPLODING ON THE FORD VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THINKS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52489 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53000.

Steering › Column
Filed Mar 2, 2010120,000 milesWV

SHIFTING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND LEAVING CAR STUCK IN REVERSE WITH NO WAY OF CHANGING GEARS. HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BECAUSE COLUMN IS NOT DESIGNED TO LET YOU REPLACE THE BROKEN PART ONLY. HAD TO SEARCH FOR THE PART IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL THE COLUMNS THAT COULD BE FOUND IN JUNKYARDS HAD THE SAME TROUBLE BROKEN OFF SHIFTER. HAD TO ORDER A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND I DO HAVE THE OLD COLUMN AND RECEIPTS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Feb 28, 2010116,000 milesNJ

REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE - COMPLETELY BROKEN IN TWO POSES A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 26, 2010130,000 milesTX

MY MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE READ THROUGH EVERYTHING I COULD FIND AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORDS YET THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY 7 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDE TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND LUCKILY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND ABLE TO GET ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT GETTING HIT BECAUSE I WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT FORDS TRANSMISSION IN 2002 WAS BAD AND HE REBUILD/REPLACES MORE ON THAT VEHICLE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. I CALLED FOR AND THEY SAID IN SHORT ITS MY PROBLEM. NOW I AM LOOKING AT A 2000 DOLLAR REPAIR BECAUSE OF FORD NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THERE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 22, 201078,184 milesMA

TRANSMISSION SLIPS ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 6 CYLINDER AWD. THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION THROUGHOUT 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER OWNERS. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer → · Every Mountaineer year → · How the figures are calculated →