2003 Mercury Mountaineer complaints

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CRACKED PANEL ON BACK LIFT GATE FROM WINDOW AROUND RIGHT SIDE OF ROUND EMBLEM TO BOTTOM. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. 90% OF THESE VEHICLES I SEE ON ROAD ARE CRACKED. FORD /MERCURY NEEDS TO RECALL & FIX. *TR

THE BACK LIFT GATE IS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW, "THRU" THE MERCURY EMBLEM, AND ALL THE WAY DOWN. I'VE SEEN NEARLY IDENTICAL CRACKING ON MANY OTHER MOUNTAINEERS. I SEE A RATHER LARGE NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURIES AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

THE BACK LIFT GATE IS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW, AROUND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MERCURY EMBLEM, AND ALL THE WAY DOWN. I'VE NOTICED THE SAME CRACKING ON ALMOST EVERY OTHER MOUNTAINEER ON THE ROADS, AND I SEE A HUGE NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE STEERING COLUMN . THE OFF BUTTON DOES NOT WORK ,THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE APPLIED, AND THE BUTTON TO SLOW DOWN THE TRUCK ALSO DOES NOT WORK . NO SPECIFIC DATE ,A COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO FORD WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG . *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE 295 IN NJ. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS WHICH INCLUDED A FORD DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLES AND ALSO THE FORD EXPLORER. I DEPEND ON MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND I SERVICE THE CAR AS RECOMMENDED BY FORD. NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE CAR AND MEANWHILE I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK. IF I WAS NOT AN ALERT DRIVER, THAT FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES AND OR DEATH TO ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND TRY TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED AND WITH THE VERY HIGH STICKER PRICE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE KIND OF SUV THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

REAR BACK HATCH CRACKED WHEN PURCHASED, PROMISED TO BE FIXED BY DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY NEVER HONORED THEIR PROMISE. I HAVE SINCE SEEN SEVERAL MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE REAR BACK HATCH CRACKED AS WELL, WONDERING WHY THEIR WASN'T A RECALL?? ALSO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ALREADY REPLACED TRANSFER CASE AND NOW POWER STEERING IS LEAKING. *TR

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY HATCHBACK. THE EMBLEM HAS A LONG AND LARGE CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EMBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL 2003 MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CRACK WILL CAUSE THE GLASS TO BREAK. I NOTICED WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE ONCE THEREFORE I FELT THAT I SHOULD ADVISE/COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FAILURE TO SEE IF A RECALL OR A BULLETIN WOULD BE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH NO RECOURSE OR RECURRING ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE REPAIRED AT NOT COST TO ME BECAUSE AGAIN I HAVE FOUND MANY MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL HAVE BEEN 2003 SO FAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ASSIST FORD/MERCURY TO PRODUCE A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. WITHIN SECONDS, THE WARNING LIGHT HAD RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO STOP FOR RED LIGHT. CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ON BUT WHEN BRAKES WERE PRESSED VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE STOPPED CARS I PUT TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND RPMS WENT WAY UP. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. HAD CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON INTERSTATE NEXT DAY. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER AND TOLD IT WAS CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,700.

I HAVE A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, MY WIFE STARTED TO BACK UP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THEN SLAMMED INTO REVERSE CAUSING HER TO JERK AND THEN HER FOOT CAME OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING HER TO RAM A PARKED CAR BEHIND HER, AND THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST TIME .THE NEXT TIME I MYSELF WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND IT DONE THE SAME THING EXCEPT THERE WAS NOT A CAR BEHIND ME TO STP ME AND I WENT OVER A EMBANKMENT AND IF NOT FOR A TREE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT BAD , THE TREE STOPPED ME FROM GOING TO THE BOTTOM , AND IT STILL TO THIS DAY WILL SLAM INTO REVERSE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE WITH IT YET . I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT ALOT OF MERCURY MOUNTAINEER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDSHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

MOST 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS ARE EXPERIENCING CRACKED LIFT GATES AROUND THE EMBLEM. SOMETIMES MY LIFT GATE OPENS ON ITS OWN...DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS HAPPENING DUE TO THE CRACK BUT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OUR VEHICLES. DEALERS KNOW ABOUT IT BUT WON'T REPAIR IT WITHOUT CHARGING THE CONSUMERS. DRIVE THRU CAR WASH PERSONNEL ADVISE DRIVERS BEFORE THEY DRIVE THROUGH THAT THE CRACK IS PREEXISTING (SO THEY ALL KNOW ABOUT IT?) BUT THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS CAN'T GET THIS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING ISSUE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ALL OF US? *TR

AFTER SPENDING HOURS TRYING TO REMOVE BACK DISC-DRUMS FOUND THAT THE EBRAKE SHOES HAD RELEASED FROM THE LININGS ON BOTH SIDES REAR OF A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE ADHESIVE ON THE SHOES HAD RELEASED FROM THE SHOE. *TR

PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IN 2007. WE ONLY DRIVE THE CAR LOCALLY FOR SCHOOL AND WORK AND WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND MADE THE DEALERSHIP/WARRANTY PAY FOR $1600 REPAIR. SINCE THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 3 MONTHS. WE GET CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE, REPLACED THAT TWICE (LAST ONE FROM ACTUAL FORD DEALERSHIP) BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WASN'T THE ORIGINAL FROM THE CAR. CAR LEAKS WATER THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW/ROOF SEAL AND NOW MY LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I LOCK THE CAR AND IT TELLS ME EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE CAR THAT THERE IS A DOOR AJAR NO MATTER IF WE GET OUT AND RECLOSE ALL 4 DOORS AND BACK DOOR. R&R WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED 8/29/08 FOR $555. JUST RECENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION GO OUT AGAIN (12/8/09) AND HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE REBUILD OF A MERCURY TRANSMISSION WHICH COST US ANOTHER $4000. IT STILL SLIGHTLY VIBRATES GOING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO THE BACK HATCH HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN THROUGH THE LOGO. OUR FORD DEALER CHARGES $200 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE! *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I WAS STOPPED TO GET FUEL. I PUT MY SUV IN PARK TO GET OUT. I WAS LEAVING MY KEYS IN IT. WHEN I STEPPED OUT AND WALKED TO THE REAR, MY SUV STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I HAD TO RUN BACK AN JUMP IN IT AND HIT THE BRAKE. I LOOKED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER AN IT DIDN'T GO INTO PARK. IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF P AND R. IF I HAD LOCKED THE DOORS I WOULD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET INSIDE BEFORE IT HIT THE FUEL PUMPS. IT HAS BEEN STOPPING AT THAT SPOT EVERY TIME I PUT IT IN PARK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC START, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO THE POLICE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR TRAGEDY TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW. I HAD AN ACCIDENT BACK IN JUNE 2009 WHERE MY VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE YARD AND HIT THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND I WAS HURT IN THE PROCESS. ON JUNE 22, 2009, I WENT OUTSIDE TO WARM MY VEHICLE UP BEFORE I WENT TO WORK THAT MORNING. WHILE, I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE OUT THE DOOR TO GO TO MY VEHICLE IT START ROLLING BACK. I IMMEDIATELY RAN OUTSIDE BEHIND THE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE BECAUSE I KNEW PEOPLE WERE THERE. I GRAB THE DOOR AND IT THREW ME ON THE GROUND SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I DAMAGED MY ORGANS. AFTER THE LOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF LEFT, I WENT TO GEORGE'S IN WEST POINT, MS WHERE THEY DO MY TIRES AND BRAKES TO CHECK ON THE BRAKES. THEY CHECKED MY CAR AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I WENT TO THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CLINIC TO MAKE SURE I WAS OK AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES. I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR AGAIN THE NEXT DAY ON JUNE 23, 2009 BECAUSE I WAS NOT FEELING GOOD. I WAS TAKEN TO BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ON JUNE 26, 2009 DUE TO THE INCIDENT AND WHEN I WAS THROWN IT JARRED MY ACID REFLUX AND CAUSED A VIRUS. I WAS CHECKED THOROUGHLY FOR ORGAN DAMAGE AND PUT ON PAIN MEDICATION. THIS INCIDENT COST MY INSURANCE TO GO UP AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTING GOING OUT IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR IT AND MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET UNDER RECALLS TO SEE IF T

I HAVE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE FEBRUARY 2007. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE LAST PROBLEMS WAS THE BREAKING POINT. I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHCILE. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM COMMUNITY FORD IN NEW ALBANY, MS IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT. I COULDN'T GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR ANY WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD. AFTER A YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT END AND IT WAS $500.00 AT GEORGE'S TIRE SERVICES. I TOOK IT IN DUE TO THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND I WAS ADVISED THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK DID IT WOULD LOCK UP ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. I NOTICED THAT MY STRUCTURE BODY:HATCHBACK/TAILGATE HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY. MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE BACK DON'T WORK. MY ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AIRCOMPRESSOR HAS WENT OUT AND I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE MY OIL GAUGE IS CONSTANTLY SAYING IT'S LOW. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES. I AM HEARING THIS NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET GOING TO FORD TO SEE WHAT IT IS. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING THIS BURNING COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EITHER. MY LASTEST PROBLEM IS MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS OF PAYMENT ON THIS VEHIC

LIFTGATE PANEL ABOVE EMBLEM (OUTSIDE) HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY TOP TO BOTTOM. WHEN I TOOK TO FORD SERVICE, THEY STATED OTHER SIDE WILL CRACK AND EVENTUALLY PANEL COULD COME OFF. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. IF PANEL COMES OFF, ODDS ARE IT WILL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE RECALLS ON SAME PROBLEM BUT FOR DIFFERENT YEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. *TR

GEAR SHIFT LEVER (PRNDL) SNAPPED OFF OF STEERING COLUMN WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK FROM A DEAD STOPPED POSITION. *TR

I ALSO HAVE A CRACK ON MY LIFT GATE AROUND THE EMBLEM AND EVERY MERCURY I SEE ON THE ROAD ALSO HAS IT. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER APPROX. 9 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE OUT. WHEN WE DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL BETWEEN 2002 - 2006 FOR THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON MOUNTAINEERS, EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND RANGE/LND ROVERS. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO; THEY SAID THAT OUR PARTICULAR VIN# DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHEN I ASKED HOW COME A MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT COULD NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST THEY SAID IT COULD BE AN OVERSIGHT OR JUST MAYBE NOT FOR THAT MODEL. I THEN ASKED HOW COME THE RESEARCH PROVED TO SHOW THAT THESE WERE DEFECTIVE UPON MANUFACTURING AND SOME OF THEM NOT GET RECALLED THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME. WE NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS INOPERATIVE AND NOBODY WANTS TO CLARIFY THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD 2 ESTIMATES BOTH WITH USED PARTS FROM A WRECKING YARD. THE 1ST ESTIMATE WAS $1350 AND THE 2ND WAS $800 AND NO GUARANTEES SINCE THEY WOULD BE PULLING THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OFF OF A WRECKED VEHICLE THE SAME YEAR AS OURS AND IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY BE DEFECTIVE. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS AND NOW MY HUSBAND HAS NO TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK. HE DOES DRIVE MY CAR AT THE MOMENT BUT CAN NOT CARRY ALL OF HIS TOOLS IN MY VEHICLE SINCE HIS IS AN SUV. WE DID SEEK LEGAL COUNCIL AND WERE INFORMED THAT WE NEED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT YOU COULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL OUR VEHICLE AND THEY SAID WE HAD A VERY GOOD LAW SUIT. IF MY HUSBAND DID NOT HAVE THIS CHECKED AND CONT

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND IT HAS A CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE THAT STARTS AT THE TOP IN THE MIDDLE, GOES AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM AND CONTINUES DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. I AM WORRIED THAT THE GLASS WILL FALL OUT OR BREAK ONE DAY WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR CLOSE THE TAILGATE. OR WILL THE GLASS SHATTER WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR CLOSE IT? *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 78000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE MONTHS AGO FOR SLIPPING AND NOT DOWNSHIFTING IT IS NOW GONG BACK IN TOMORROW TO BE REPAIRED FOR NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE IT ISN'T VERY GOOD. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER MOUNTAINEERS WITH EXACT SAME CRACKING AROUND EMBLEM. THIS MAKES ME WONDER IF PANEL COULD FAIL CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OUT. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN NUMEROUS WEBSITES , IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT OR THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE RAMPANT. *TR

ON THE TAILGATE OF THE MOUNTAINEER, DUE TO HEAT/COLD A CRACK STARTED FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND WENT DOWN PAST THE "MERCURY" EMBLEM DOWN TO THE NEXT PANEL. *TR

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4.6L-V8: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ACCELERATION [STOP SIGN/SIGNAL, EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, COASTING] THE ENGINE WILL NOT HOLD IDLE, THEN STALL. THE STEERING & BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS. TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO DARK FOR A MOMENT...THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. DECELERATING FROM AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, ON A CURVED EXIT RAMP , AT NIGHT MAKES FOR AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER CAN NOT SEE BECAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE! I'VE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION CENSOR [TPS] WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALER OFFERS REPLACEMENT OF PARTS $1500, AND NO GUARANTEE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS USELESS TO ME FORE IT IS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD...FOR ME AND ANYONE ELSE DRIVING NEAR ME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY HATCHBACK. THE EMBLEM HAS A LONG AND LARGE CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EMBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL 2003 MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CRACK WILL CAUSE THE GLASS TO BREAK. I NOTICED WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE ONCE THEREFORE I FELT THAT I SHOULD ADVISE/COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FAILURE TO SEE IF A RECALL OR A BULLETIN WOULD BE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE WITH NO RECOURSE OR RECURRING ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE REPAIRED AT NOT COST TO ME BECAUSE AGAIN I HAVE FOUND MANY MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ALL HAVE BEEN 2003 SO FAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ASSIST FORD/MERCURY TO PRODUCE A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. *TR

A CRACKED LIFTGATE APPLIQUE..IT IS CRACKED AROUND THE APPLIQUE.. *TR

WHEN REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS (ANOTHER INFAMOUS FORD DEFECT ON THESE VEHICLES), NOTICED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PLACES AT TOP OF SPRING, WHERE COILS DUG INTO EACH OTHER AND CREATED A STRESS RISER. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

WHILE OPENING MY HATCH IN THE BACK OF MY CAR THE HOCK CAME APART. ONE OF THE TWO HOCKS THAT HOLD THE GLASS OF THE HATCH BROKE. NOT SURE WHY IT BROKE, THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING LEANING UP AGAINST IT. IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE I COULD HAVE HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE GLASS COULD HAVE FELL ON THE CARE BEHIND ME. *TR

THE PAINT ON THE REAR LID OF MY 2003 MOUNTAINEER IS PEALING. DEALER AND TWO AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOPS HAVE VERIFIED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A FACTORY DEFECT. FORD/MERCURY REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO THEIR WARRANTY INFORMATION. THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECT CAUSED BY THEM DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

I DRIVE MY HUSBAND'S 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IT HAS 69000 MILES ON IT NOW AND WE BOUGHT IT USED DEC 2004. WHEN THE SUV SHIFTS INTO 3 OR 4TH GEAR IT CLUNKS OR SHUTTERS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES HAVING IT RETURNED AND TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IN DECEMBER 2007 WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. NOW WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 35 THE RPM WOULD RAISE UP TO 4,000, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING.THEN IT SHIFT INTO WRONG GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. NEXT DAY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY CLAIM THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL THEY TAKE IT APART AND IT COULD COST ANY WHERE FROM $3,000 TO $4,000. WE REPEATEDLY TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY WOULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED WE HAVE A MAJOR EXPENSE NOT COVERED.WE ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE PISTON PUT IN AT THE ASSEMBLY FACTORY WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND IS A DEFECTIVE PART. SO AFTER 1 WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, THE NEW OVERHAUL KIT, OVERDRIVE PISTON AND TORQUE CONVERTER WE SPENT A GRANT TOTAL $1,895.83. THIS IS SOMETHING THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE FIXED WHEN WE FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. I CAN HONESTLY SAY WE WILL NEVER GO BACK THAT DEALER AGAIN. *TR

THE HEATER STOP WORKING 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, 2ND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, DEALER THINKS MIGHT BE INTAKE MANIFOLD OR HEAD GASKET, 3RD TIME SAY MUST TAKE IT APART TO FIGURE OUT BUT PRESSURE TEST ARE WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK NEXT TO THE EMBLEM ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $700 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OVER THREE YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 04-20-09 *BF UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

CRACK IN LIFTGATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE TRUNK LID UNDER THE WINDOW WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE TRUNK LID. THE TRUNK LID WAS REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO BY THE DEALER AND NOW A CRACK HAS REAPPEARED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AFTER THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND REPAIR. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $85; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WANTS A FREE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS A DEFECT AND WILL PROBABLY CRACK AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 02/05/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB

THE FAILURE IS FOR A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE FAILURE IS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE THAT OCCURS RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE MERCURY EMBLEM OR LOGO ON THE BACK OF THE TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE. THIS CRACK HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES HERE AND IN ONLINE FORUMS. TO ME SEEMS LIKE A DEFICIENCY OR A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THIS PANEL THAT IS A PART OF THE LIFT GATE GLASS AND THE TAILGATE AS A UNIT'.. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THE 2002-2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER SHARE THIS SAME TAILGATE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCURY AND FORD ARE SOLELY TO BLAME FOR PRODUCING THIS FAULTY PART OF THE TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE AND SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL THEM'.. I NOTICED MY FAILURE OR CRACK IN JUNE OF 2008 WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT. I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE 2003. A BIG CONCERN IS SAFETY, SOMEONE WALKING BY THE SUV AND GETTING CUT ON THE SHARP PLASTIC, JUST LOOKING AT THE CRACK IS DISTURBING. HERE IN SOUTHERN CA. FAIRWAY FORD WANTS $425.00 AND CERRITOS FORD LINCOLN MERCURY WANTS $625.00 TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM'.. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2004. WE WERE PICKING UP THE SUV AFTER HAVING THE REAR GLASS HINGES REPLACED PER THE RECALL. AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE WRITER AT VILLA FORD TOLD ME, TRY NOT TO PUSH ON THE EMBLEM TO CLOSE THE GLASS, THE PANEL WILL CRACK IN TIME'.. (1.) I WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE PANELS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE CRACK? (2.) WHY FORD OR MERCURY NEVER DISCLOSED THE PROBLEM? I DID CALL MERCURY, THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT AND SAI

PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY, MOUNTAINEER, AWD VEHICLE NEW ON 6/17/03. ON 05/10/06 AT 50515, THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. A VISUAL EXAM INDICATED WATER DAMAGE WITH BEARING SEIZURE. ON 11/24/08 AT 88826, THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE EARLIER HUB REPLACEMENT WAS DIAGNOSED. AT THIS TIME BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BEARING HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS PRACTICALLY FROZEN AND SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT FATIGUE TO THE OUTER CASING. BOTH HUBS SHOWED RUST AND PITTING. I MAINTAINED POSSESSION OF BOTH HUBS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HAD THE HUB LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, (70MPH) A POTENTIAL FOR A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT EXISTED. ON 11/21/06, A REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REBUILT. ON 11/24/08 THE NOISE WAS AGAIN HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. APPARENTLY THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT BEARINGS DAMAGE SHIELDED THE REAR DIFF. NOISE. I NOTICE ONLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT FOR THE PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR, HOWEVER THE BASIC DRIVE TRAIN DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED FOR MERCURY OR FORD EXPLORER FOR SOME TIME AND OTHER MODEL YEARS MAY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD NOT GO 100000 PLUS MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND LIKEWISE THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE FRONT HUBS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL UP 100,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I OPENED REAR LIFTGATE AND REMOVED SOME ITEMS AS USUAL. UPON TRYING TO LET THE GATE DOWN 1/4 WAY DOWN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE STRUTS HUNG NOT ALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE GATE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT FROM A MECHANIC THAT THE RACKET PINION STEERING COLUMN IS LEAKING AND THE MECHANIC FEELS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 16 MONTHS. ON OCTOBER 1, 2008, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS, ONLY IN THE CITY. SHE FEELS THAT EITHER THE WHEEL BEARING IS DEFECTIVE OR THE FORD DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY CORRECT THE PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE WHEEL BEARING IS ONLY GOOD FOR 12,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WILL FORWARD HER INFORMATION TO THE DEALER. FROM THERE, THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,494 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS HANGING DOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR HATCH WINDOW CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 2003 JUST BROKE IN TO TWO PIECES. *TR

POWERTRAIN. *TR

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AT 62000 MILES. FORD DONE REPAIRS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TWO DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND IT STARTED SMOKING OUT FROM UNDER IT. THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON!!!! THEY NEED TO RECALL MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. *TR

CURRENTLY I HAVE A CRACK IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK LIFT GATE. I DO NOT KOW HOW IT GOT THERE BUT THEN I NOTICED 6 OTHER MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE AME ISSUE. I THINK THIS MAY BE A MANUFACTORS DEFECT AND WONDER IF THES WILL EFFECT THE BACK GLASS? *TR

UPON LEAVING WORK IN THE AM I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY DASH GAUGES WERE WORKING NOR WERE ANY OF THE ELECTRIC WINDOW OR THE RADIO. I THEN CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO ADV ME TO BRING IT TO HIM. WHILE I WAS EN ROUTE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO HIM IT STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE LIKE I WAS IN A HELICOPTER AND I STARTED SMELLING THIS WEIRD SMELL LIKE OIL BURNING AT FIRST IT THOUGHT THEY MESSED UP MY OIL CHANGE AND I WAS FURIOUS. UPON ARRIVING AT THE SHOP HE IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE ODOR PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT AND FOUND OUT THAT MY FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD GONE BAD. I PURCHASED ANOTHER ONE AND HI INSTALLED IT AND I TOOK IT HOME BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE GAUGES ON MY WAY TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SMOKE AND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND BACK UNDER MY CAR ANOTHER DRIVING PASSING BY SIGNALED SOMETHING WAS COMING FROM BENEATH MY VEHICLE AND UPON THAT I HEARD A LOUD BANG POPPING NOISE AND MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT AGAIN THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE AND THE GAUGES WINDOWS AND RADIO STILL DOES NOT WORK. MY MECHANIC CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND ADV THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. HE DID HOWEVER CALL A MERCURY DEALER WHO ADV HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE SOME OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIALS ON OTHER MOUNTAINEERS BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN AS TO HOW MANY WERE DONE. *TR

CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MERCURY EMBLEM. WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK, IT WAS ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE PLASTIC, THEN WITHIN A WEEK IT WAS ALL THE WAY THOUGH. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANY STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE EFFECTED BY THE CRACK OR WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CRACK. I'M NOT SURE IF THE GLASS IS EFFECTED OR NOT, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT WHATEVER CAUSED THE PLASTIC TO CRACK WILL ALSO EFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE GLASS. *TR