2002 Mercury Mountaineer complaints

2002 MOUNTAINER HAD REAR AXLES REPLACED TWICE, FRONT ONCE , STILL LEAKS DIFFERNTIAL FLUID . ALL SEALS REPLACED TWICE, DEALER SAID IT WASN'T ONGOING PROBLEM ,BUT MOST 2002 MOUNTAINEER OWNERS SEEMED TO HAVE SIMLIAR PROBLEMS. THIS WAS 1ST YEAR AWD MODELS WERE PRODUCED, NOW 3 MONTHS AFTER LAST REPAIR STEEERING BUCKLES IN LOW RANGE TIRES SEEM TO FIGHT TURNING. CAR ISN'T SAFE.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35MPH AND LOSING CONTROL, THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DITCH ON A DIRT ROAD. THE TIE ROD BROKE AND TWO FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRUCK IS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS PAID OVER $6000.00 IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, LOWER BALL JOINTS, SEALING FOR BOTH SHAFTS, FOUR BRAKE PADS, BEARINGS ON ALL FOUR TIRES, AND THE REAR TRANSFER CASE WAS FLUSHED TWICE. FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND REQUEST THAT THE DEALER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM HER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE MOUNTAINEER AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY SAID WE PROBABLY NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE THEN TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS AND THEY CONFIRMED WE NEEDED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REPLACED ALL SEALS AND VALVES, TORQUE CONVERTER, SOLENOID PACK, TRANSFER CASE, PRNDL SWITCH, AT A COST OF $2500. AFTER READING ABOUT SEVERAL TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR OF MOUNTAINEER, I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

THE FRONT END GEAR BOX HAS GONE BAD AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRES ARE READY TO POP OFF. I JUST REPLACED THE REAR END LAST NOVEMBER 2006 ,AND NOW HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AGAIN.*AK

I HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, SIMILAR TO THE SOUND GIVEN WHEN BRAKE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED. I TOOK THE 2002 MOUNTAINEER TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR BRAKE REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE RIGHT REAR ROTOR WAS PULLED THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE PAD FELL OUT. ON INSPECTION THE METAL AREA THAT ATTACHED THE PAD TO THE BRAKE MECHANISM RUSTED THROUGH, ALLOWING THE PAD TO FALL FREELY INTO THE DRUM. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PAD SCRAPPING THE DRUM WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WAS THE NOISE I WAS HEARING AND IT ROTATED WITH THE WHEEL. HE SAID THE CAR COULD NOT PASS NY STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR WHEN APPLIED , RENDERING THE BRAKE UNUSABLE IN AN EMERGENCY ,AND DEMONSTRATED THAT TO ME. MY WIFE HAS DRIVEN THE CAR 98% OF THE TIME SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN JANUARY 2003. SHE NEVER ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE SO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS, THOUGH RUSTY, WERE IN GOOD SHAPE.*AK

I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ON MONDAY EVENING IN LYNDHURST, NJ AROUND THE TIME OF 7 PM. I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY SOME RATTLING WHICH SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAS OCCURRED. I WAS VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO APPLY PRESSURE TO MY BREAK TO STOP WITHOUT THE TRUCK IDLING VERY ROUGH LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. THE TRUCK LOST ALL POWER. I CAREFULLY PROCEEDED TO A LOCAL GAS STATION IN RUTHERFORD AND DROPPED MY CAR OFF FOR THE MACHINING TO LOOK AT IN THE MORNING. I RECEIVED A CALL THE FOLLOWING MORNING FROM (THE MECHANIC) WHO STATED THE #5 SPARK PLUG RIPPED OUT OF MY ALUMINUM ENGINE HEAD. FOR A COST OF $366.00 HE RE-THREADED THE SPARK PLUG, INSTALLED A NEW COIL AND DID A TUNE-UP. HE TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN V8 AND V10 FORD ENGINES. IT CAN OCCUR AGAIN, OR THE SAME PLUG MAY RIP OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE TO GO ON TWO HIGHWAYS TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY. THE SOUND WAS LIKE I WAS BEING FIRED ON BY NATO. IMAGINE LOSING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH PEOPLE BEHIND YOU AT 65 MPH. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY COMPLIANTS BY FORD CUSTOMERS WHO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING THEM TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY, SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THEM REPLACE THESE DANGEROUS ENGINES. SPARK PLUGS JUST FIRE THE ENGINE, THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SHOOT OUT OF THE ENGINE LIKE SMALL ROCKETS. WHAT IF MY HOOD WAS OPEN AND THIS HAPPENED? SOM

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 02 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 58K MILES. A FEW DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT, I NOTICED A "GROAN" FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE WORKED ON MANY VEHICLES BEFORE AND IT WAS OBVIOUS IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL. I PLANNED TO HAVE THE BEARINGS IN THE REAR END REPLACED, BUT AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE REALIZED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED WITH NO GOOD RESULTS. EVEN WITH A USED CAR PURCHASE, I THINK FORD SHOULD BE EMBARASSED AT THE FACT THAT I AM EMBARASSED FOR MAKING THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I WISH FORD WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RE-GAIN OUR TRUST IN THEM AND FIX OUR VEHICLES THE RIGHT WAY. THEY HAVE KNOWS SINCE DAY ONE THAT THEY WERE NOT RIGHT AND HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX THEM. I WON'T BUY ANOTHER FORD UNTIL THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I KNOW THEY DON'T CARE, BUT RIGHT NOW I OWN THREE FORDS AND THEY WILL BE THE LAST IF THIS IS NOT RECTIFIED. THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!

THE REAR LIFT GATE SEEMINGLY IS OPEN ALTHOUGH ALL THE DOORS OF THE CAR ARE CLOSED IT STILL SHOWS A "DOOR AJAR" SIGN IN THE INFORMATION PANEL IN THE DASHBOARD. *JB

REAR PASSENGER POWER WINDOW NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. IT WILL GO DOWN, BUT NOT GO UP, EITHER FROM PASSENGER DOOR SWITCH OR DRIVER'S SWITCH. BOTH SWITCHES AND MOTOR REPLACED AT FIRST REPAIR SHOP BUT COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MY LOCAL MERCURY DEALER ALSO WANTED TO REPLACED BOTH NEW SWITCHES AND NEW MOTOR CLAIMING ALL THREE WERE STILL BAD. TWO WEEKS, AND THREE SHOPS LATER, A FORD DEALER IN THE NEXT TOWN OVER SAID BOTH SWITCHES AND MOTOR WERE FINE ( I ALREADY KNEW THAT). HE FOUND A BROKEN WIRE BEHIND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL BEHIND THE DASH PANEL. A NEW SECTION OF WIRE WAS SPLICED IN, BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW OR WHY THIS WIRE BROKE IN AN UNEXPOSED LOCATION. *NM

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS,AND BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH. RPM RACED HIGH. OD LIGHT WOULD FLASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RPM'S WOULD RACE HIGH, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, THEN SUDDENLY CATCH. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 56K MILES. TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, $600. REPAIR BILL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS ALL SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT HAS 59,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I NOW KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST SYMPTOM THOUGH AT THE TIME I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WOULD REV A LITTLE BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. THEN IT STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT GEARS WHILE DRIVING. ULTIMATELY, I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY REBUILT,( REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER, THE TRANSMISSION CASE WAS REPAIRED, THE SEALS AND BANDS REPLACED) AT A COST OF $3070.00. I HAD THE WORK DONE AT AAMCO SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. *JB

A LARGE CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY FORMED RUNNING VERTICALLY DOWN THE PANEL OF THE REAR LIFTGATE OF OUR 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER NEAR THE EMBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN IF THE CRACK HAS LED TO A FAILURE OF THE TAILGATE INTEGRITY AS FAR AS WATERPROOFING IS CONCERNED. *JB.

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHEN SHE WAS CLOSING HER LIFTGATE CYLINDER DETACHED. WEATHER CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS A RAINY DAY AND TEMPERATURE AROUND 50 DEGREES. *AK

MERCURY MOUTAINEER 2003, THE HATCH OF THE CAR JUST CAME DOWN AND HIT HER, SHE JUMPED BACK AND THE DOOR CONTINUED TO CLOSE AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED. CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE CAR DOOR HAS A SAFETY RECALL AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SAFETY RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED ON HER CAR AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO NOW. DOESN'T FEEL SHE IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY RECALL.

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES ON WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING WHILE PULLING ONTO HIGHWAYS. CAR TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND WILL COST $2,400 TO REPAIR. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MOUNTAINEERS BUT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS IT IS NOT DEEMED A SAFETY HAZARD. APPARENTLY THE CAR MAKER HAS NOT BEEN IN SUCH A CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY FREEWAY! WE ALSO HAD NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. *NM

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 58,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR, SO MY WIFE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING SAFE TO DRIVE. SO FAR, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT. IF SHE WERE TO TRY TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION OR TO ATTEMPT TO MERGE AND THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD BE A TRAGEDY. I LOOKED THROUGH YOUR SERVICE BULLETINS. I BELIEVE WHAT I REFER TO IS DOCUMENTED. 10014089. THIS CAR IS ALMOST NEW. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL! THANKS. *NM

TAILGATE HAS DEVELOPED CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE GATE. THE PLASTIC IS BONDED TO THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. APPARENTLY DISSIMILAR EXPANSION COEFFICIENTS RESULT IN CRACKING OF THE GATE. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED 3 IN THE LAST MONTH, NOT INCLUDING MINE. *NM

BOUGHT USED FROM A DEALER 10-05 WITH 71328 MILES. CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC. NO PROBLEMS W/ DRIVE TRAIN, TRANNY, OR SUSPENSION, EXCEPT TO CHANGE FLUIDS IN DIFFERENTIALS (REAR & FRONT). DID THIS FIRST WEEK WE OWNED IT & WATER FOUND IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL. 1ST OWNER'S RECORDS CAME WITH CAR. ALL SERVICES WERE DONE (NO MENTION OF PROBLEMS). I SERVICED IT EVERY 2-3000 MILES. ON 4-27-06 THE TRANNY FLUSHED, & THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL & TRANSFER CASE SERVICED. MILEAGE WAS 85857. 2 NEW TIRES PUT ON FRONT ON 5-25-06 (FLAT TIRE). ON WAY HOME (18 MI. INTO 35 MI. DRIVE), FRONT END STARTED TO FAIL. COULDN'T FIND SOURCE OF LEAKING FLUID. DRIVE HOME. NEXT MORNING, TRIED TO RETURN TO MECHANIC WITH CAR. MADE IT ABOUT 25 OF THE 35 MILES TO TOWN BEFORE FRONT END FAILED. MECHANIC SHOWED US THE GEARS FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL--THE "TEETH" WERE SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF 1/3 OF IT--REMAINING TEETH SHEARED DOWN BY AT LEAST 50%. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED, ALSO 4 BALL JOINTS, SEALS FOR BOTH SHAFTS, BRAKE PADS (FROM DIFFERENTIAL FLUID DAMAGE) WERE REPLACED. ALL 4 WHEELS HAD BEARINGS REPACKED. 2 MORE TIRES BOUGHT. WITHIN 1 WEEK, BEGAN HEARING NOISE AGAIN FROM DRIVE TRAIN. CAR BACK AT MECHANIC ON 6-20-06. THE NOISE NOW FROM REAR TRANSFER CASE. IT WAS FLUSHED 2 TIMES (FLUID FILLED WITH FINE METAL FRAGMENTS). THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ALSO CHANGED. MECHANIC SAID 4-6 MONTHS UNTIL REAR END FAILED. I'VE NOW LOST THE REAR END--ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS & REPLACE ALL AXLES. WILL RE-ASSESS FRONT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ROTATE THE TIRES, THE MECHANIC NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS. NO WARNING LIGHT ALERTED THE CONTACT OF THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN JULY 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SECOND ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AT 50 MPH WHEN IT IMPACT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS IMMOBILE. THE OTHER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND THERE WERE THREE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO, DURING OR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHO DETERMINED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER THE SECOND ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER MILEAGE 72465. AT THIS TIME IT STARTED TO SHUDDERING DURING UP SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I TOOK IT TO PITCOCK AUTO REPAIR IN RICHARDSON, TX. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND NO CODES THEY FLASHED THE COMPUTER TO RESET ALL SETTINGS AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AND RETURNED IT TO THEM WHO THEN TOOK IT TO A EAGLE TRANSMISSION IN PLANO TX. THEY ALSO DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO CODES! IT WAS THEN REMOVED AND OVER HAULED IT WAS THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE #1,2 CLUTCHES WERE ALMOST GONE AND THE # 3 WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVER HAULED AND TEST DRIVEN WHEN A OVER DRIVE LIGHT CAME"ON" THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REMOVED AND ALL ITEMS WERE CHECKED AGAIN REINSTALLED DURING THE TEST DRIVE AGAIN THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT CAME "ON". THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE VALVE BODY TEST DRIVEN AND THE SAME PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REMOVED AND THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE CHANGED(# OF TIME CHANGED) VALVE BODY (2),CONVERTER(2),FLASHED COMPUTER (2), REPLACED THE SEALS/GASKETS (3) AND MANY TEST DRIVES WITH SAME PROBLEM! EAGLE TRANSMISSION WAS ON THE NET WITH OTHER TRANSMISSION REPAIR PEOPLE AND ALL OF THEM COULD NOT HELP THEM TROUBLE SHOOT THIS PROBLEM AS NONE OF THEM HAD EVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN! THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO AFTER DOING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TOLD EAGLE THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL ITEMS AGAIN! THE MANGER OF EAGLE HAD JUST RECEIVED THE GEARS , SEPTEMBER 2006 AND IN IT THEY H

POWERTRAIN ISSUE. AT 79,700 MILES, MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD WHICH COST ME 2500.00. APPARENTLY THERE IS A BAD SOLENOID AND BANDS THAT TOTALLY BUSTED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER SEEING OTHER REPORTS ON THIS, I WANTED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAILGATE WAS CRACKED BELOW THE WINDOW. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE TAILGATE WAS ALREADY CRACKED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPAIRED THE CRACK. A YEAR LATER, THE TAILGATE BEGAN CRACKING AGAIN AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOME WORSE; ITS CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOW COMES DOWN SO HARD THAT IT MAY BE THE REASON FOR THE CRACKING TAILGATE.

I HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE KEYHOLE. I HEAR A VIBRATING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A WHILE I COULD NOT HARDLY GET THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, OR DRIVE. I EXPERIENCED THE NOISE FOR A WHILE. I WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE SHIFTER WAS HARD TO GO INTO ANY GEAR. I FINALLY GOT THE GEAR SHIFTER TO GO TO DRIVE. THE NEXT TIME THE STEERING AND SHIFTER LOCKED UP WAS WHILE I WAS WITH MY FAMILY AT THE LOCAL STORE. IT LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO TO ANY GEAR. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND TRIED IT AGAIN, THEN THE SHIFTER FELL OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO CHARLIE HENDERSON FORD (THE LOCAL DEALER).I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THESE MODELS. I HAVE ANOTHER RELATIVE WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER SIDE MADE A WOBBLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH. THE SOUND ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ON 08/08/06 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INSPECTED THE TIRES AND DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON THE SAME DAY AND EXPRESSED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK

OF THE MANY PROBLEMS I'VE HAD SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, THE LATEST TAKES THE CAKE. HERE'S THE SKINNY OF ALL MY PROBLEMS, WITH THE LATEST MOTIVATING ME TO REPORT A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA. HOPEFULLY, SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. HERE'S A WEBSITE OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/CGI-BIN/FIX_COMMENT.PL WHERE DO I START. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 38K MILES AND IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE. FIRST THING TO GO WAS A WHEEL BEARING AT 41K, GOT THAT FIXED @ $200. NEXT TO GO @ 48K WAS THE TWO CALIPERS AND NEW ROTORS ON THE FRONT, COST $800. NEXT @ 52K WAS THE A/C NEEDED TO BE RECHARGED, $150. NEXT @ 58K, THE TWO CALIPERS IN THE BACK HAS TO BE REPLACED, COST $300 (I FOUND A GOOD MECHANIC/FRIEND). FOR THE GRAND FINALE... I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION @ 61K, COST RANGE FROM $1,800 TO $3,400. I WILL FIX IT AND DUMP IT RIGHT AWAY AND SELL IT. A COMPLETE LEMON!!! IT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE NHTSA FOR AN INVESTIGATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY FELL OFF ONTO THE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE. *NM

WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP AFTER HEAVY OR MODERATE BRAKING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WILL REV FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED, THEN THE VEHICLE WILL HARSHLY JOLT FORWARD AND START ACCELERATING. *JB

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO YEARS. I REPLACED THE LIFTGATE GLASS IN 2004 AFTER IT SHATTERED THE FIRST TIME. A REPLACEMENT PART WAS PUT ONTO MY VEHICLE ON 12/14/05 AFTER A RECALL SERVICE. WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE PART THAT WAS DETERMINED AS DEFECTIVE IN 2004 THAT WAS PUT ONTO MY VEHICLE IN DECEMBER CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER AGAIN. *NM

2002 MOUNTAINEER HEAD VALVE BROKE. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER AGREED TO A REBUILT ENGINE AND THE WORK WAS COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 29, 2005. TWELVE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE REBUILD ENGINE INSTALLED, IT CEASED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A HOSE CLAMP CAME LOOSE. *JB

DURING BRAKE INSPECTION MECHANIC DISCOVERED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AT THE SAME LOCATION ON EACH COIL SPRING. I HAVE NEVER USED THIS VEHICLE FOR TOWING, OFF-ROAD USE, OR HEAVY HAULING. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *JB

LOSS OF A/C ,FOUND WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING ON OIL FILTER SPACE GUARD DUE TO POOR ROUTING OF HARNESS. MANY OTHER WIRES RUN THROUGH THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE AND OTHER FAILURES. *JB

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MTNR. 85,000 MI. NORMAL,EXPECTED USAGE..4 WKS AGO NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT UP DOOR PANEL ABOVE/BELOW THE CTR. OF THE MTNR. LOGO. CRACK THR/THR PLASTIC PANEL.. DOOR IS USED FREQUENTLY AS ACCESS TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA..2 DAYS LATER TOOK IT TO THE FORD/MERC. DEALER, SERV. MNGR. STATES THAT HE HAS RECENTLY SEEN ANOTHER "SAME" CRACK.. CONTACTED FORD WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AS THE VEHICLE HAD >100,000MI..SAME RESULT WHEN HE CONTACTED THEM FOR MY VEHICLE, SENT IN FOR RECONSIDERATION WITH PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE/CRACK... APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, NOT SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO >MILEAGE AS MUCH AS RELATED TO FREQUENT USAGE OF THIS DOOR, AND A PLASTIC PANEL SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE SECONDARY TO DESIGN/PLACEMENT OF LOGO, CREATING A "WEAK" AREA THAT IS EXPOSED TO FREQUENT "BANGING DOWN" AS THE DOOR IS CLOSED..FORD'S ANSWER THE SECOND TIME WAS A DENIAL OF RESONSIBILITY AND A SUGGESTION THAT THE OWNERS CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY (NOT THE CORRECT OR CUSTOMER FRIENDLY RESPONSE, AS THIS WOULD ONLY RESULT IN CUSTOMER PAYING OUT A DEDUCTIBLE AND/OR BEING SUBJECTED TO INCREASED INSURANCE RATES)...I REALIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH, BUT IT IS ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT LISTENING TO THE CUSTOMERS AND CERTAINLY NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, AS DEFECTS, FAULTS ARE IDENTIFIED SECONDARY TO LESS THAN EXCELLENT DESIGN, ENGI

THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL FLASH, THEN CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON. HAD TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND/OR REPAIRED ON 3-15-06. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT, IT WILL NOT COVER ANY SAFETY DEVICES AFTER 50,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ADVISOR THEN GAVE US AN ESTIMATE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR WHICH ARE APPROX. $232.00. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT THE RIGHT HAND BUCKLE PRETENSIONER NEEDS REPLACED. IF IT DOES NOT GET REPAIRED AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON, THEN IF WE (MEANING, MY HUSBAND, SON, DAUGHTER AND MYSELF) ARE IN AN ACCIDENT REQUIRING OUR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD BE FATAL (GOD FORBID), FOR MY FAMILY AND/OR ANY OTHER FAMILY THAT MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I PERSONALLY FEEL THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MADE ON EVERY VEHICLE. I HAD CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO SPEAK TO A REPRESENTATIVE THROUGH OUR VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT, IN HOPES TO GET SOME SATISFACTION THAT THEY WOULD PAY THIS, BUT TO NO PREVAIL I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 50,000 MILES IT COVERS NO, AND I REPEAT NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT, SO THEREFORE THEY PAY 0 DOLLARS TOWARDS ANY SAFETY MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WITH YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THIS MATTER. I JUST HOPE THAT SOME JUSTICE CAN BE MADE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH OUR VEHICLE

LEAKING REAR-END FLUID. REAR-END NOISE (HOWL/ROAR) DEFECT NOT COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECORDS SHOW THAT SSM17560 WAS REMOVED MYSTERIOUSLY.*JB

2002 MOUNTAINEER STALLS, TRANSMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY, MAIN CONTROL VALVE, AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE LIFT GATE WAS STICKING, AND WHILE CLOSING IT, THE GLASS SHATTERED, THE GLASS WAS RECALLED, AND WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRIM ON THE FRONT DOOR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUST ON THE BRAKE COMPONETS, THE PARK BRAKE SHOES FELL APART DUE TO CORROSION, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. *JB

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD. THE COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED IN JULY, 2003, SEPTEMBER 04, AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2005. NOW IT IS FEBRUARY 2006 AND THE BAD BEARING NOISE IS BACK. WE ARE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER YET AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO NOTIFY FORD AND THE CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY AND BBB. *JB

TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY. O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THEN CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR.*AK

HOOD SUPPORT STRUTS CAN FAIL IN COLD WEATHER WITHOUT NOTICE OR WARNING. COULD CAUSE SEVERE HEAD/HAND/ARM INJURY.*AK

COMPLAINT REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT ON 2002 MOUNTAINEER. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING DAMAGES ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE ISSUE. (INSURANCE COMPANY ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER)*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LIFTGATE FELL OFF. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE LIFTGATE WAS OPENED AND IT FELL ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE LIFTGATE FELL. *AK

ON NATIONAL TV THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FORD EXPEDITION REGARDING WATER LEAKING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE INTERIOR BEING SOAKED ON A RAINY DAY. I OWN A MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2002, AND AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, AND UNTIL RECENTLY IT HAS WORSENED. WHEN I CALLED FORD ON 6/22/05, THEY EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE ID WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE HAVING THIS INVESTIGATED SINCE IT SEEMED TO BE QUITE DANGEROUS FOR A WINDSHIELD TO BE LEAKING WATER. WHEN I TOUCH THE GLASS WINDSHIELD I CAN ACTUALLY MOVE IT. WHAT IF I HIT A POT HOLE...COULD THE GLASS SHATTER AND BREAK FROM LACK OF STABILITY. I DRIVE DAILY WITH MY THREE CHILDREN, AND AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING THE MANUFACTURER FIX THIS PROBLEM. SHOULD I HAVE A NEW WINDSHIELD PUT IN? WILL THIS FIX THE PROBLEM OR JUST TEMPORARILY STOP THE WATER FROM LEAKING INSIDE? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DIRECTION IN THIS MATTER.*AK *NM

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - MARCH 2005 - 46,000 MILES SOLENOID WAS REPLACED COST $600 - DECEMBER 2005 - 60,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON - IN SHOP NOW TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION OR PARTS - COST OF $2,300. I HAVE FOUR PERSONAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FORD ENGINE. WE HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS FORMS FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. SEEMS THAT A 3 YEAR OLD CAR BOUGHT NEW AND STILL NOT PAID FOR SHOULD HAVE A GOOD WORKING TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A DEFECT IN MERCURY WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OR FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHY IS MERCURY SO INSISTENT ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY? MERCURY MUST KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. *JB

COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO MERCURY DIVISION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY: ON 12/9 I HAD TO TAKE MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER, WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT, TO FINNIN FORD IN DUBUQUE. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A "NEW" TRANSMISSION!! I CALLED FORD TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND THIS PAST MONDAY (12/12) I GOT A CALL BACK THAT FORD WAS ONLY GOING TO PICK UP $1200.00 OF A $3000.00 REPAIR BILL. LAST NIGHT I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BUT ONLY AFTER PAYING $1800.00!! THE REPLY FROM THE FORD CUSTOMER REP WAS THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT PAY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS STUCK FOR THE MAJOR PORTION OF THIS BILL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!! BEFORE I SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER FORD/MERCURY ONE LAST CHANCE TO DO WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR A VERY LOYAL CUSTOMER (2 EXPLORERS & 2 MOUNTAINEERS). FORD/MERCURY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THIS TRANSMISSION AT NO CHARGE. A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES ON A 2002 SUV SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND BECAUSE IT DID, THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE FIXING THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. OH, AND DID I MENTION THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS THE SECOND SUCH PROBLEM THIS WEEK. IF FORD MOTOR CO. HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM ALSO A LONG STANDING MEMBER OF CONSUMER REPORT, AND I WILL BE ADVISING THEM OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNSEL. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL BY 12/20/2005. THANK YOU, DAVE GRALL. *NM

I HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4.6L ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT BUT THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN DEC 2003 WHEN IT HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER AN OIL PUMP FAILURE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE DELIVERED TO THEM FOR ANALYSIS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK UPDATED 12/19/05. *JB

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD AND STRIPPED THREADS. MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2002. *NM

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

DT: THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. SHE STATED THAT IT DID START BACK UP. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT EACH TIME. SHE SENT MANUFACTURER A LETTER ON THE PROBLEM AND OTHER PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE CALLER STATED THAT SHE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AND NOW WHEN SHE TAKES IT OUT OF PARK SOMETHING POPS. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO HELP HER WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS DID NOT STAY ON, THE CONSUMER HEARD WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. *JB

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH A METAL HAND RAIL AND TWO AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. NO DEFINITIVE CAUSE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED EXCEPT. A WITNESS SAYS SHE HEARD AN ENGINE REV UP JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *JB