Owners filed 210 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
06800068,000 milesMedian miles at failure
179 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Structure › Body
34
0
0
1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
34
3
0
3
Vehicle Speed Control
15
3
0
3
Power Train
15
1
0
0
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
14
0
0
0
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments
13
0
0
2
Air Bags
8
1
0
2
Structure
7
0
0
1
Electrical System
7
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
6
1
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear07E104000
Filed Dec 11, 20071,657 vehiclesSafelite Fulfillment, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 21, 2021ID
This vehicle is has a power train problem from day one with the 5R55S/W transmission and AWD transfer case. I purchased this vehicle where it stranded my family over 200 miles from home and it's a non running car. This vehicle should have been removed from being sold with this defect and crushed! I will never buy a FoundOnRoad Dead ford pos ever. The transmission went into neutral with out any notice. To repair the faulty drive train I will cost me aprox $2400.00 mileage 152,000 third time the drive train has been worked on.. There tranmissions were failing in a little as 50,000 miles.
Electrical System
Filed May 2, 2019AR
MY WINDOWS WERE ROLLING DOWN WHEN I FIRST THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ROLLING DOWN
Air Bags
Filed Jan 6, 2019NY
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON... ALL THE TIME GRINDING NOISES WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT SOUNDS LIKE GEARS ARE FREELY SPINNING WHILE ENGAGED AND DRIVING. NO ISSUES WITH CHANGING GEARS AS FAR AS MECHANIC SAYS.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 7, 2018149,674 milesIL
OPERATING THE TAILGATE WINDOW HINGES BROKE OFF SCREWS APPEARED TO HAVE SEVERE CORROSION VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 201890,000 milesIA
HUMMING IN FRONT AT ALL SPEEDS FT WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE BAD. NOW RIGHT REAR BEARING MAKING NOISE. VERY LOOSE . LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE NEED TO BE LOOKED AT
Structure › Body
Filed Dec 11, 2017135,000 milesIA
1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 6, 2017190,000 milesIL
THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS!! RIGHT HINGE BROKE WHICH DROPPED RIGHT SIDE OF GLASS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GLASS WHICH MADE IT EXPLODE. GLASS COVERED ME WITH A FEW MINIMAL CUTS
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 12, 2016AR
MY SON WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON AUGUST 6, 2015. SOMETHING HAPPENED, AND HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. AT THAT POINT THE AIRBAG COVER FLEW TOTALLY OFF, INSTEAD AND FALLING DOWN AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE COVER ITSELF GASHED MY SONS FOREHEAD FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, AND HE LOST HIS RIGHT EYE. THIS IS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT SO FAST THAT THEY HAD BURN MARKS ON THEM. THESE AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO SAVE PEOPLES LIVES INSTEAD OF MANGLING THEIR FACES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HORRIFIC ACT....01/04/17 *BF *TR *CN
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 29, 2016186,000 milesMA
REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE HAVING THE WINDOW ONLY OPEN AND PUTTING AWAY GROCERIES. UPON CLOSING THE WINDOW, THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO ALMOST FALL OFF OF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS IN THE PARKING LOT, TO PUSH THE WINDOW BACK INTO THE FRAME AND HAVE IT LOCK AT THE CENTER LATCH. THE LATCH IS NO LONGER ENGAGED AND I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ON THE WINDOW TO CONNECT WITH THE LATCH. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO SO. THE WINDOW IS AT A POINT WHERE IT COULD FALL OFF OF MY CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR 2000-2003 VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD IS NOT CARRYING OVER THE RECALL TO 2004 STATING THE DEFECT IS NOT THE SAME (WITH THE DETAILS) AS THE RECALL ITSELF. IT IS STILL THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART! I AM OF SHORT STATURE AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PUSH THE WINDOW THE 1" OR SO TO GET IT INTO THE FRAME TO LOCK SUCCESSFULLY. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ADVICE BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM AT RISK OF HAVING THE WINDOW FALL OFF THE BACK OF MY CAR AND DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS NOTED FOR THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE ON THIS SITE FOR THE 2004 MOUNTAINEER. JUST NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT. MY VEHICLE IS MY BREAD AND BUTTER IN ORDER TO WORK.
Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2016143,000 milesPA
MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, LOSES POWER STEERING, LOSES POWER BRAKES. IT WILL START RIGH BACK UP ONCE I SHIFT INTO PARK. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES. I COULD HAVE JUST GOT IN THE CAR OR BEEN DRIVING FOR HOURS. HAPPENS AT 15MPH AND 60MPH JUST THE SAME. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Structure › Body
Filed Mar 7, 201615,000 milesTN
THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED NEAR THE MERCURY EMBLEM. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE FORD WOULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2004. ONE STATED THE 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THAT FORD REPAIRED THOSE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL I SENT TO FORD. THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU CAN TELL IF YOU ARE BEHIND A 2004 EXPLORER OR MOUNTIANEER, THEY ALL WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRACK AROUND THE EMBLEM.
Power Train
Filed Feb 23, 2016135,000 milesFL
FAILURE OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CARRIER BUSHINGS FAILURE LEADING TO TWO TRANSMISSION REBUILTS,TRANSFER CASE REBUILD, AND OVER $5000.00 IN REPAIRS. FAILURE OF CARRIER BUSHINGS WOULD LEAD TO FRONT END LOCKING UP. CAUSING A JACKHAMMER AFFECT ON THE DRIVETRAIN OF THE VEHICLE. TO CLOSE CALLS DUE TO FRONT END LOCKING UP. ACCIDENTS WERE AVOIDED DUE TO DRIVER VIGILANCE. HAVE PICTURES OF BUSHINGS AND WHAT'S LEFT OF THE BUSHINGS.
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 3, 201680,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HAD SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WINDOW WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. AFTER REPLACING THE WINDOW A SECOND TIME THE CONTACT RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDOW PANEL AND GLASS HAD CRACK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2016142,000 milesPA
THIS VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO WARNING IS GIVEN ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN TOTALLY OUT FROM THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 2016135,000 milesTN
WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IN A 30 -40 MPH ZONE, SEVERAL LIGHTS CAME ON, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ON A SMALL 2 LANE ROAD, AND THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE. SHE WAS VERY SCARED, SHE TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE THEN RESTARTED AND SHE DROVE HOME. TODAY (JAN. 5, 2016) THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, FORTUNATELY IN A SLOW SPEED ZONE AGAIN. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER, OR THEY NEED TO OFFER A BUY BACK AT FULL VALUE FOR PLACING PEOPLE AT RISK.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 30, 201585,000 milesCT
REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HINGES RUSTED/CORRODED. HINGES HAVE BROKEN CAUSING WINDOW TO SHIFT AND MOVE.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 6, 201589,600 milesMI
ENGINE DIED HAS REPEATED ONLY A FEW TIMES AT OR ABOVE 50MPH OVER SPAN OF TIME
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Jun 23, 2015107,000 milesGA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT DISENGAGED AND THE GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF!..UPDATED 08/13/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Air Bags
Filed May 22, 2015160,000 milesMA
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, THEY WENT OFF BY THEMSELVES. *TR
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Dec 11, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.