2002 Mercury Mountaineer complaints

WHEN APPROACHING MY VEHICLE (2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER) FROM BEHIND, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE PANEL, BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND EXTENDING TO THE HANDLE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS OCCURRED IN FORD-MANUFACTURED SUVS, INCLUDING THE MOUNTAINEER AND EXPLORER. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO A PERSON WHO TOLD ME THAT FORD COULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT, I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF ITS VEHICLES AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEN IT SHOULD PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER WITH A SATISFACTORY REMEDY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P22570R15 (NA). THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN MAY OF 2007 FROM JENSEN TIRE COMPANY WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. AT 36,000 MILES, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT IN JUNE OF 2008. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL. THE TIRE COMPANY FROM WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IS PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAILED TIRE. THE REMAINING TIRES WERE INSPECTED BY OTHER SHOPS AND EACH SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE REST OF THE TIRES BE REPLACED. TOYO STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE TIRES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,402.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 70 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,200.

I BOUGHT THIS MOUNTAINEER IN EARLY 2007 WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT. FROM THE START IT SHIFTED VERY ROUGH. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED UNTIL THIS WEEK WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR AT ALL AND WAS NEARLY BROADSIDED WITH FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT MOVE. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FIXED. FROM OTHER COMMENTS I HAVE READ THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AT AROUND 75,000 MILES WHICH SEEMS FAIRLY RIDICULOUS, AND A BEARING HAS GONE OUT TWICE ON THE SAME WHEEL. THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE BUILT TO LAST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE LIFTGATE, THE GLASS SHATTERED ON HER HAND. THE BRACKETS CAUSED THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS AND SHATTER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S20 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I010000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY DISPLAYS AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE IS AJAR DUE TO THE FAILURE.

I WENT TO SHIFT MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE STICK SHIFT LOCATED NEXT TO STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN MY HAND, WENT TO DEALER AND THE PART WAS $800.00 FOR THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN, THE PART THAT BROKE WAS A SMALL PIECE HOLDING THE STICK, BUT DEALER SAID IT HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF IT. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AMOUNT I SEARCHED FOR A USED PART AND EVERYONE SAID IT WAS VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS AND I FINALLY FOUND ONE FOR $200.00 BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT INSTALLED DUE TO COSTS. AND TO ADD TO MY PROBLEMS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE OD LIGHT STARTS TO FLICKER AND AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS AND RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR

ADD TO YOUR LIST OF COMPLAINTS OF SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM THE ALUMINUM HEAD. THIS IS A FORD MOTOR COMPANY DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE. TOTAL PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX = $3,372.50. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT LEFT ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES RIM HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE RIM IN QUESTION AFTER INVESTIGATING IT HAD A FRACTURE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE ROTATION OF THE RIM WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE CAUSING A SECONDARY FAILURE BY THE RIM FRACTURING IN THE CIRCUMFERENCE CAUSING THE RIM ITSELF TO SEPARATE INTO TWO PIECES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH WINDOW, IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HATCH HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,332. UPDATED 11/07/08 *BF THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL #04V442000 BUT WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR WINDOW BRACKETS BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN: 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AWD, PURCHASED WITH AROUND 79000 MILES, IN 2007. A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASE STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD INTO 3RD GEAR, CALLED DEALER AND HE SAID TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, CHANGED THAT COST 100.00. SEEMED TO HELP SOME, NOW AT 100,000 MILES OR SO CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 30MPH. DRIVING VEHICLE IN BUSY TRAFFIC AND CAR ONLY GOING UP TO 30 IN A SERIOUS HAZARD. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. TOO MANY 2002 ARE HAVING EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CAR JERKS INTO REVERSE, O/D FLASHES, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON , HARD JERKS AND SHUDDERS INTO 3RD GEAR....COME ON HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO GIVE UP HARD EARNED MONEY TO FIX FORDS MISTAKES??? IN PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO TAKE THIS HEAP OF JUNK TO. *TR

I HAD NOTICED THE STANCE OF THE VEHICLE HAD CHANGE AND DURING A ROUTINE NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAD BROKEN. THE REAR SPRING DEFECT ALSO CAUSE THE REAR SHOCKS TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND NEED REPLACEMENT. THE SPRINGS WERE CRACKED ENTIRELY IN HALF. IT APPEARS AS IF THERE WERE A DEFECT RELATING TO THE METALLURGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE METAL USED OR POSSIBLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SPRINGS. AT NO TIME WAS THIS VEHICLE DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR USED TO TOW ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY WAS USED BY MY WIFE TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK( 20 MILE ROUND TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY) THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY ABOUT 2 YEARS AND HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. A FORD REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO INSPECT IT, THERE CONCLUSION WAS THE SAME. TWO REAR BROKEN SPRINGS, AS WELL AS 2 REAR SHOCKS THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT . THEIR COST ....OVER $1000.00. THERE IS NO WAY THIS ITEM SHOULD BREAK...GOD FORBID IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH SPEED, .... A SPRING BREAK AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BECOME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A HIGH SPEED CRASH. SPRINGS ACTUALLY SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THERE BROKEN.....THERE IS A SUDDEN AND UNFORESEEN UNSETTLING OF THE VEHICLE.....WHICH IN MY OPINION IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD VIA THEIR 800 TELEPHONE # - (800-392-3673)...THEIR RESPONSE WAS..."WE ARE UNDER NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY TO

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 66000 MILE AND 1 MONTH AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY. CALLED FORD COSTUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THE PERSON SAID SHE HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. WENT ON-LINE (EDMUNDS.COM, CARSURVEY.ORG, ETC. AND SAW ONE AFTER ANOTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT FIRST WENT ON AT 59000 MILE (STILL UNDER WARRANTY). BUT I READ THE MANUAL FIRST BEFORE TAKING IT TO DEALER. THE MANUAL STATED SUV WAS UP FOR FLASHING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 60000 MILES. FLUSHED THE FLUID AND WARNING LIGHT WENT AWAY. SIX MONTHS LATER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT IS BACK (WARRANTY HAS JUST EXPIRED). FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SAME TRANSMISSION ON THE EXPLORER BUT THE MOUNTAINEER (WHICH IS SAME TRUCK WITH DIFFERENT BRANDING) DOES NOT. SO WHY IS THIS THE CASE? LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT IN THE FREEWAY WENT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING LEAD TO PARTS FAILURE. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, HOWEVER MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WAS THAT SEVERE THAT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (FORD EXPLORER) WITH WHEEL BEARING/HUB FAILURE ON ALL 4 WHEELS AT DIFFERENT MILEAGE INTERVALS. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME FAILURES. PLEASE RESEARCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE WINDOW LIFTGATE SHATTERED WHEN IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), 01I010000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR), AND 07E104000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN IN TWO PLACES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHICH OVER TIME RUINED MY REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAILY AND HAS NEVER TOWED A TRAILER OR HAULED HEAVY LOADS. *TR

COMPLAINT IN DETAIL FOR, MERCURY MOUNTAINEER : JULY 24, 2007 I PURCHASED A 'AS IS WARRANTY' 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM TOYOTA OF SCION IN CONCORD, NC. THIS CAR WAS ADVERTISED ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR $11,995 AND REPORTED MILEAGE OF 51,972. SUBSEQUENT TO MY PURCHASE BELOW IS AN OUTLINE OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE VEHICLE: I REVIEWED THE CAR-FACTS VERY METICULOUSLY, AND ARRIVED AT THE FINDINGS NOTED BELOW WITH REGARD TO THE REPORTED MILEAGE: 1.11/20/2004 SOURCE: NC MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. INDIAN TRAIL NC TITLE # 771444062507118 MILEAGE WAS REPORTED AT 48,000. 2.12/15/2005 SOURCE: NEW YORK MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT., HICKSVILLE, NY MILEAGE WAS REPORTED AT 39,412 WHICH SIGNIFY A DECREASE OF -8,588. 3.9/7/2006 SOURCE: NC MOTOR VEHICLE DEPT. INDIAN TRAIL, NC, MILEAGE WAS REPORTED AT 45,200 WHICH SIGNIFY AN INCREASE OF +5,788. 4.AS MENTIONED ABOVE ON 7/24/08 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH REPORTED MILEAGE OF 51, 972 WHICH SIGNIFY AN INCREASE OF +6772. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT AROUND 100,000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT IN JULY 2007. NOW TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AGAIN THIS JULY 2008. I'VE HAD MANY SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THERE ARE TIMES IT WON'T SHIFT AT ALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DETAILING HER VEHICLE, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON HER WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. SHE WAS ADVISED TO REPORT THE FAILURE TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (75K MILES), THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SUDDENLY FAILED, LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME WHEN WE NOTICED THE ISSUE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS $1500 TO REPLACE THE PUMP SINCE THEY HAVE TO TEAR APART THE TRANSMISSION TO GET TO THE PUMP. ACCORDING THE TECHNICIAN, THE TRANSMISSION HAS NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS (NO METAL SHAVINGS, FLUID LOOKS GREAT, NO WEAR). FORD STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES FOR FORD TO TAKE ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY. FORD STATED IT WAS OUTSIDE THEIR 3 YR / 36,000 MILE RESPONSIBILITY. FORD WILL DO NOTHING. 1. NONE, ONE DAY I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND EVERY GEAR I SHIFT TO ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. 2. THE PUMP FAILURE HAPPENED ONCE, THEN NEEDED TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. 3. THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WAS REBUILT (PARTS - $200, LABOR - $1300). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND THEN OCCURRED DURING HOT TEMPERATURES. CURRENTLY, THE FAILURE IS CONSTANT, WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AS WELL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BAND BROKE AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THEY INFORMED HIM OF A TSB REGARDING HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,482.

THE BACK DOOR OF MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS CRACKED AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM, WHICH IS LOCATED JUST UNDER THE GLASS PORTION OF THE DOOR THAT YOU CAN OPEN SEPARATELY FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE DOOR. I HAVE NOW SEEN THREE OTHER MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE SAME CRACK AROUND THE EMBLEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A COINCIDENCE. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PUT OUT A RECALL TO FIX THE DEFECT. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED / WILL NOT GO OUT. / THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CHRONIC ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR / SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS / SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY MERCURY AND NOT THE OWNER / COSTLY REPAIR / NORMAL DRIVING AND WEAR / THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE NEEDS REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED DOWN AN INCLINE INTO SOME SMALL TREES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND STRUCK HER MOUTH AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NEW IN LATE 2001. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A VERY HARD SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AT 57,734 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOLENOID ASSEMBLY FOR A TOTAL BILL OF $1,438.00. MY CAR NOW HAS 90,000 MILES. ON MAY 2 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AND SUDDENLY MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WENT CRAZY AND MY CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A COST OF $3,200. THIS PROBLEM POSES SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. MY VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED ON A ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BY ANOTHER CAR SINCE MY CAR COULD NOT MOVE MORE THAN 25 MPH WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS ONLY USED TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN AROUND TOWN. WE HAVE OWEN MANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 200,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE INCIDENT/ISSUE INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION. FOR MODEL YEAR 2002 & 2003, FORD INSTALLED THE TRANSMISSION 5R55W IN THE EXPLORER AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES. THE TRANSMISSION TYPICALLY GIVES OUT BETWEEN 25,000 AND 60,000 MILES. MINE GAVE OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. LUCKILY, WE DID NOT GET HIT, BUT UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT IS HUGE. THERE ARE TWO WEBSITES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH THESE TWO MODELS AND YEAR. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS YOU, THE NHTSA, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. YOU HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS, AND ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN MONTHLY INVESTIGATION REPORTS, FROM 10/2007 TO 03/2008, YOU HAVE NOT EVEN INVESTIGATED IT. IT'S GOING TO TAKE NUMEROUS PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN ON YOUR BEHALF. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.....DO SOMETHING!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAINS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE LOOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE HEARD A CLANKING SOUND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MERCURY DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST FOR FREE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

OUR MOUNTAINEER HAS 84,257 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY HAS TO BE REBUILT. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I DID WRONG OR I COULD OF DONE TO PREVENT IT, THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD WON'T HELP US BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

ON LOCAL STREET AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH. #2 SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT FROM CYLINDER HEAD. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BLOWN EXHAUST GASKET. AFTER ARRIVING HOME HAVE FOUND THAT PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT BREAKING THE COIL AND EXPOSING THE ENG TO A POSSIBLE FIRE FROM THE ARCING. THIS WAS ORIGINAL SPARKPLUG INSTALLATION. *TR

MY WIFE AND MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH ON 2/12/2008. THE AIR BAGS ON THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

01/18/07 WHEN TRUCK SHIFTS GEARS IT VIBRATES. SOLUTION: FLUSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. (ALSO CHANGED OIL) HELPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT PROBLEM IS BACK. ($198.95) 5/29/07 AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SOLUTION: REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE PRETENSIONER. (ALSO CHANGED OIL). $273.19 6/26/07 HEARD VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. SOLUTION: REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL (INTERNAL DAMAGE TO CLUTCHES), BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS (BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE) $1580.23 11/07/07 TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR AND SEEMS TO JUMP WHILE TURNING. SOLUTION: FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND REPLACE SEALS IN REAR. $482.97 STILL HAVE THE LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. 12/13/07 TAKE TRUCK TO DIFFERENT PLACE WITH SAME PROBLEM. SOLUTION: REPLACE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING. $401.73. 02/18/08 STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. SOLUTION: LEFT REAR HUB BEARING, DRUMS IN REAR, AND NOW MECHANIC TELLS ME I NEED CLUTCH PACKS IN REAR TO SOLVE PROBLEM. TELLS ME I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER.??? $380.00. NOW I CAN ADD ALL OF THIS UP 198.95+273.19+1580.23+482.97+401.73+380.00=$3017.07 TO FINALLY GET MY TRUCK FIXED---------PRICELESS!!!!!!!!! *TR

PLASTIC PIECE BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND LIFT GATE HANDLE KEEPS CRACKING. A ($400 REPAIR) 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE NOZZLE STOPPED AFTER THREE GALLONS AND GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED AN UNKNOWN REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,140. UPDATED 04-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR AJAR CHIME GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK FOR 5 MILES. UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT. HE DEACTIVATED THE SEAT HEATER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOAM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WAS PROBABLY THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR AND THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NOT A BLOWN FUSE. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAS TO BE REBUILT AT 70,000 MILES. AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON AND ONGOING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD QUALIFY IT FOR A RECALL. *TR

NOTICED SLIGHT ROARING NOISE IN REAR SUSPENSION. FIGURED IT WAS A WHEEL BEARING THAT WAS WORN, WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS, BUT IN LOOKING AT THAT ISSUE SAW THAT REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. VEHICLE STANCE DID NOT INDICATE A BROKEN SPRING. CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE TO BE SAFE AND NOTED THAT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES AND LOOKED AS IF IT WAS TO COME OFF THE BOTTOM SPRING/STRUT CUSHION. AS A RESULT OF THIS MECHANIC INDICATED BROKEN SPRINGS HAD CREATED PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR TOE LINKS. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS SEEN NO OFF-ROAD USE OR BEEN USED TO CARRY HEAVY CARGO LOADS. LADY DRIVEN ONLY. *TR

AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS, I CAN HARDLY TYPE I AM SO FRUSTRATED. THE NUMBER OF POWER TRAIN COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL ARE ASTOUNDING. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER (AKA MONEY SUCKER) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AT THE FORD DEALER FOR $3500. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A FUNNY SHUTTER WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AS WELL AS HESITATION WHEN DROPPING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS YESTERDAY MY WIFE THOUGHT HER TIRES WERE SPINNING WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PROCEED AT A STOP LIGHT. SHE THANKFULLY AVOIDED BEING REAR ENDED BY A SEMI THAT WAS ABLE TO SWERVE ONTO THE APRON AND AVOID CONTACT WITH HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE SHE THEN CALLED ME. AFTER I ARRIVED, I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT COULD BE DIAGNOSED. HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD ONLY REACH 30MPH AND THE RPMS WERE AT 4,000 TO 5,000 AT THAT SPEED. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED IT AND REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLES FOR 10 MINUTES TO SEE IF THE COMPUTER WOULD RESET ITSELF ? THIS DID NOT HELP. IN FACT, THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. HAD THE DEALER PICK IT UP TO GET IT FIXED. THIS CAR HAS 108,000 MILES ON IT ? NOT EXACTLY KNEW THIS IS TRUE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES TO GET THAT MANY MILES OUT OF IT ? FROM THE REPORTS I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED AND REPLACED FRONT

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. STATE FARM INSURANCE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SOMEONE WANTED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS WERE MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER HIT A HOMEOWNERS GARAGE. *JB

THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN IT WAS LIFTER CAUSING THE GLASS AND METAL BAR ACROSS THE WINDOW TO TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND BACK. THE GLASS CAUSED CUTS ON MY HANDS, FEET AND THEY BECAME EMBEDDED IN MY SKULL. THE METAL BAR CAUSED A CUT AND A BRUISED SKULL. *TR

FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF FORD SUV EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. IT IS EFFECTING THE DRIVING AND SHAKES THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SUV SPRINGS ARE MAKING A LARGE NOISY SOUND WHEN TURNING AND CANT TURN ALL THE WAY IN ONE DIRECTION. TRUCK JUST STOPS AT A CERTAIN POINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE TWO FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. FORD HAS A REPAIR BULLETIN THAT STATES THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE MAIN HARNESS TO THE DETONATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,245 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,520.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND TOWING A CAMPER, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SKIPPED GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE IT CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE SERVO PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORN, WHICH DAMAGED THE BANDS AND DRUMS. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,678 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,800. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN ALMOST CUT DOWN A TIRE SAID THE DEALER. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SWERVED TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD, BUT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT SIDE HAD ALSO BROKEN AT SOME POINT. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HERE ARE TWO OF THE MANY LINKS WITH OWNERS EXPRESSING THE SAME CONCERNS. HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=1619655 , HAS TWO PAGES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS, HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML , TALKS ABOUT BROKEN SPRINGS ON ALL FORD MODELS. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THIS IS THE FIRST THEY HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY JUST HAPPEN TO STOCK THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT. I COULD NOT AFFORD THEIR COST SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY A RELATIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. ON APRIL 15, 2007, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND RECEIVED HEADACHE MEDICATION FROM HER DOCTOR. THE VEHICLE'S HOOD AND FENDER WERE DAMAGED. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,246 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,246. UPDATED 02/01/08.* LJ

TRAVELING I-95 N BETWEEN BALTIMORE,MD AND WILMINGTON DE WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN 2002 MERC MTNR. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR AT TOLL BOTH. PULLED OFF HWY AT REST STOP BUT DID NOT TURN OFF ENGINE. PULLED BACK ONTO HWY, ACCELERATED AND CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR CAME ON. O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. PULLED OFF HWY, CALLED FOR TOW AND WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD BAND WAS BROKEN IN TRANSMISSION AND REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AT COST OF $4361. HAD JUST REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND REAR PARKING BRAKES WEEK PRIOR FOR $650. VEHICLE HAD 75K MILES. COULDN'T JUSTIFY SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY ON 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT HAD LEFT ME STRANDED FIVE HOURS FROM HOME. TRADED VEHICLE (GOT ANNIHILATED ON TRADE!) AND CONTINUED MY TRIP.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE PANEL OF THE LIFTGATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PANEL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, SHE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PART AND REPLACE THE PANEL. AS OF JULY 2, 2007, THE PANEL HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CLOSE DOOR LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE PAD FELL APART AS MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO A REAR BRAKE JOB. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH 2002 THROUGH 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS. CAN'T BELIEVE A PARKING BRAKE PAD WOULD JUST FALL APART IN PIECES WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS NEVER USED. *TR

LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT WHEEL. FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED WHEEL BEARING AS PART HAD FAILED. AFTER REPLACING FRONT WHEEL BEARING THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED AS WELL DUE TO A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM REAR END RIGHT WHEEL. BOTH ARE BEING REPLACED FOR $500.00. WHO KNOWS WHEN THE OTHER TWO WHEEL BEARINGS ARE GOING TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS UNCOMMON TO HEAR OF A WHEEL BEARING FAILING WITH SO FEW MILES. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 THROUGH 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS OR FORD EXPLORERS FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS READ AND THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I AM HAVING THE WORK DONE AT STATED THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I WOULD THINK WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT A RECALL WOULD HAVE OR WILL OCCUR. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS A VEHICLE WITH OVER 100,000 MILES IF NOT MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, BUT VEHICLES WITH AS FEW AS 10,000 MILES THIS IS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. *TR