2004 Mercury Mountaineer complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO SECOND OR FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. TRANSMISSION FAILING 69,469 MILES ON VEHICLE. TAILGATE CRACKED ALSO. NOT SURE IF WORTH REPAIRING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE PARKED HE NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACK BELOW THE MERCURY EMBLEM ON THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

IN JULY 2008 FILED MY FIRST COMPLAINT WHEN THE ENTIRE BACK LIFT GATE AND WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. INSURANCE REPAIRED IT, I PAID A 200.00 DEDUCTIBLE. AGAIN THE MEDALLION HAS CRACKED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS THE START OF ANOTHER LIFT GATE BLOW OUT/GLASS ALL OVER, ETD. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 40K MILES HAD DRIVER SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. THIS WAS UNCOVER DURING A NORMAL STATE INSPECTION. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH JOINTS WAS REQUIRED TO SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR

TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FMC) VIA WEBSITE: YOUR INQUIRY: HAS ANY MECHANIC EVERY CAME ACROSS A SITUATION SIMILAR TO MY 2004 MOUNTAINEER CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM AS FOLLOWS: EVERY TIME I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL BETWEEN 27-45MPH AND DESCEND A HILL, THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN! THAT'S RIGHT; NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, NO ENGINE RUNNING! THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY/WARRANTY ISSUE TO ME? THE MERCURY SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND IT'S GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $70.00, JUST FOR HIM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG! FROM FMC: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL CONCERN ON YOUR 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I SINCERELY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THAT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BROUGHT YOU. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT COMPLETE VEHICLE SERVICE RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED AT THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP ONLY. AS DEALERSHIPS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER VEHICLES' SERVICE RECORDS; THUS, CANNOT DETERMINE IF THIS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. MOREOVER, OUR DEALERS DETERMINE HOW THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WILL BE APPLIED WHEN ASSIGNING TECHNICIANS TO SERVICE VEHICLES. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE $70 DIAGNOSTIC FEE THAT WAS QUOTED TO YOU AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WOULD APPLY, IS A STANDARD PRACTICE FOR THIS DEALERSHIP. I INVITE YOU TO SPEAK WITH THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER OR THE SERVICE MANAGER, AS HE/SHE WOULD BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ADDRESS YOUR DIAGNOSTIC FEE. AT THIS TIME, I RE

REAR GLASS HINGE FAILURE ON 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. HINGE PIN FAILED ON MY REAR GLASS HINGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT MANUALLY CLOSED THE REAR HATCHBACK AND THE WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY ONTO HER ARM. THE SMALL PIECES OF GLASS SCATTERED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE HATCHBACK DEFECTIVE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I DROVE A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SUV AND AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE APARTMENT COMPLEX FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE GAS PEDAL CLAMPED DOWN & I COULDN'T GET THE BRAKE TO WORK. MY SUV WAS TOTALED & I RAN INTO A FULL-SIZED PICK-UP TRUCK, WHICH WAS TOTALED TOO. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE POLICE & MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD ME NOT TO TELL ANYONE ELSE ABOUT IT. IT WAS LATE EVENING, SO NO KIDS WERE OUT, BUT BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, WHICH TOTALED TWO FULL-SIZED TRUCKS IS SCARY! *TR

GLASS LIFT GATE STRUT FROZE WHEN IT WAS OPENED WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT, THE FORCE BROKE THE HINGE AT THE TOP. IF I HAD NOT IMMEDIATELY SUPPORTED THE LIFT GATE IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN. THE HINGE ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS CRACKED AND BENT AND ABOUT TO GIVE. THE EMBLEM ON THE GATE HAS ALSO BEEN CRACKED FOR QUITE AWHILE. I DID HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ISSUE ADDRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT STILL EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION SLAMMING INTO GEAR IN REVERSE AT VARIOUS TIMES. *TR

TRANSMISSION REBUILD AT 100,000 MILES, 6 YRS OLD. FEEL LIKE IT IS TOO SOON TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM TOO. THE BODY PANEL UNDER THE BACK GLASS IS ALSO CRACKED. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS HUB BEARING DEFECTS, TRANSMISSION DEFECTS, DRIVE TRAIN DEFECTS, REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL DEFECTS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE COMPONENTS OF MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND FORD EXPLORER YET NHTSA DOES NOTHING. FORD WILL NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS AND HAS BEEN DOING BAND AID FIXES UNDER WARRANTY. THEY DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM YET THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE VARIOUS WEB SITES. IT MAKES ME BELIEVE NHTSA IS IN BED WITH THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PUBLIC. WHEELS FALL OFF CARS CAUSE HUB BEARINGS FAIL YET THERE IS NO RECALL.. FORD PUTS THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID IN CARS, TRANSMISSION FAILS...THERE IS NO RECALL. REAR AXLE SEAL FAILS AND NO RECALLS WHY!!! *TR

BRAKE LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH FAILED TWICE

I OWN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE HINGES HOLDING THE REAR WINSDHIELD IN PLACE BROKE AND MY WINDSHIELD FELL OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD EXPLORER FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. SINCE THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING ON THE REPAIRS AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. *DT

MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE MADE A ROARING SOUND. MY FOOT NEVER LEFT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I COULD NOT STOP IT. I JUMPED THE CURB, WENT OVER A GRASSY AREA, OVER THE SIDEWALK AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I HIT A CONCRETE BUILDING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND TO THE CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE HAD THE BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED AND MY AUTO INSURANCE HAS PAID OVER $3,000 FOR THAT. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO OUR NEAREST FORD DEALER WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SHOWED AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. THEY SAID THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT GIVE US A PRINT-OUT AND SAID HE COULDN'T FIND IT WHEN WE CHECKED BACK LATER. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OUR INSURANCE WOULD NOT. THEY ALSO WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, BUT SENT US TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE AIRBAGS. AFTER EXPLAINING MY ORDEAL TO THE TECHNICIAN, HE AGREED TO ALSO CHECK THE THROTTLE BODY. HE SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG OR THE THROTTLE BODY! HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRST DEALER COULD HAVE WIPED IT FROM THE MEMORY OF THE COMPUTER. AFTER MY HUSBAND SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY, SHE SAID SHE WOULD REQUEST THAT THE DEALER WHO RAN THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC TEST SEND US A COPY OF THE PRINT-OUT THAT HE COULDN'T FIND FOR US. THE CAR IS GOING BACK INTO

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SOMETIMES JERK REALLY HARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE GEAR. TWICE, IT JERKED SO HARD, I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, CAUSE IT WAS BACKING BACK FAST. REALLY SCARED ME. OTHER TIMES, IT JERKS HARD, BUT STAYS PUT UNTIL I PRESS THE GAS. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, THERE IS NO WARNING. TOOK TRUCK TO MERCURY DEALER ONCE, OVER A YEAR AGO. SAID THEY CHECKED, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHICLE IS PAID FOR. NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE LAST JERK OCCURRED. *TR

REAR BACK PANEL CRACKED. WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 2 DAYS, TEMP WAS -15F LOW/22F HIGH. FINE ONE DAY, CRACKED REAR PANEL (AROUND THE REAR HATCH WINDOW). DEALER STATES NO RECALL, SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. $500 TO FIX. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE NOISES, ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. SHOP SAID SOME GROVE IN SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD IT FIXED FOR $3,000. LATER FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT AT 10,000 MILES BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. ALSO HAD A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR WITH 54,000 ON IT AND HAD TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, SHOP SAID THERE WAS SOME GROVE ON SOME PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILES. *TR

HERE IS THE E-MAIL I SENT TO FORD REGARDING WHAT IS GOING ON. : MY NAME IS LEANNE FREEMAN I OWN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER,I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION TROUBLE WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS TROUBLE I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND WAS ABLE TO FIND 25,000 PAGES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE MANY OF WHICH HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH FORD. I AM CONCERNED THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. WHY HAVE THEY NOT DONE SOME KIND OF RECALL I COULD SEE IF THIS PROBLEM HAD ONLY HAPPENED TO A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE BUT THERE IS OVER 25,000 PAGES WITH EACH PAGE HAVING OVER 50 POST PER PAGE OF OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM ???? I HAVE SAVED ALL THE INFO FROM ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO FORWARD IT TO YOU I WILL BE HAPPY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME LEANNE FREEMAN HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2002/TRANSMISSION/OD_LIGHT_CAME_ON.SHTML HTTP://WIKI.ANSWERS.COM/Q/WHY_WOULD_THE_TRANSMISSION_ON_A_MERCURY_MOUNTAINEER_KEEP_SHIFTING_HARD HTTP://WWW.FORD-PROBLEMS.COM/EXPLORER-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS.HTM HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F1C1B35 HTTP://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?HL=EN&EI=JSUKS6K0ENS0TGEIG4JJBW&SA=X&OI=SPELL&RESNUM=1&CT=RESULT&CD=1&VED=0CDYQBSGA&Q=TRANSMISSION+PROBLEMS+ON+MERCURY+MOUNTAINEER&SPELL=1 HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/R65436/COMMENTS/PAGE-2/ HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSI

I OWN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. RECENTLY, I FOUND THE BACK PANEL TO THE LIFTGATE NEAR THE EMBLEM IS COMPLETELY CRACKED. THIS IS CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME ON THE ROAD AS IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHERS WHILE DRIVING. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THIS PRODUCT. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AND BY SERVICE MECHANICS. *TR

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS - THE LEFT HINGE ON THE LIFTGATE ON MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FRACTURED, CAUSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE TO SWING OUT. THE RIGHT HINGE HELD BUT SHOWS CORROSION. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V442000 FOR MODEL YEARS 2002 - 2003. THE LIFTGATE IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACE THE PARTS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH AND USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO STEER SUV TO OFF THE ROAD BUT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. NEARLY RAN OFF A 10 TO 12 FOOT DROP OFF INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. CAR MAX (WHERE WE BOUGHT SUV COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE SO THEY SENT IT TO METRO FORD IN INDEPENDENCE, MO AND ON THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED REPLACE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM). THE WRENCH AND FAIL SAFE MODE CAME ON THIS LAST TIME BUT THE PERSONS REPAIRING IT INDICATED THEY FOUND NO CODES FOR IT AND WERE UNABLE TO RE-CREATE TO DIAGNOSE. FROM RESEARCH I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE (BOTH THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND THE NO CODE FOUND SITUATION) BUT WE CAME VERY CLOSE TO AN INJURY RELATED ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

THE GLASS IN THE LIFT REAR GATE FELL OUT INTO MY SON'S HAND. THANK GOD, HE DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AND HAVE THE HINGES REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $100 BECAUSE I HAD A WARRANTY. PREVIOUS INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THE CAR MANUFACTURES NEED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER DESIGN. *TR

MY LIFT GATE GLASS HINGES HAVE STARTED TO FAIL, THE PIN HOLDING THE TOP AND BOTTOM PART OF THE HINGES TOGETHER HAVE COME OUT ON ONE SIDE OF BOTH HINGES CAUSING THEM TO TURN AND START LETTING THE OTHER SIDE COME OUT. EVENTUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS THE GLASS WILL FALL OUT ALL TOGETHER. BECAUSE OF THIS THE LATCH DOES NOT LINE UP RIGHT AND HAS CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TRIM MOLDING TO COMPLETELY CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. I HAVE ORDERED THE HINGES TO BE REPLACED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR MYSELF BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE INSURANCE AGENCY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTED THE CONTROL RESTRAINT MODULE FROM THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/13/09.*LJ THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPDATED 11/16/09

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION IN MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN IN PARK AND SHIFTING IN REVERSE IT DELAYS AND THEN A LOUD HARD CLUNK. IT ALSO CLUNKS FROM GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. MY CAR IS OUT OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILES/ 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINT IN FORD. THE CAR HASN'T EVEN HIT 30,000 MILES YET. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ACCELERATION. MANEUVERED VEHICLE TO NEARBY PARKING LOT, WAITED, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. NO PROBLEM IN RESTARTING VEHICLE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE OFF. USED CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO INCIDENT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM; UNABLE TO RE-CREATE FOR FORD DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY FORD DEALER IN WINTER 2009. *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE AT 35,000 MILES. REPLACED BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS, BEARINGS, SEALS, CV BOOTS, AND COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL WITH USED PARTS PER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. *TR

DURING THE LATER PART OF JUNE 2008, I PURCHASED A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM CARMAX AT THE CHICAGO RIDGE LOCATION IN ILLINOIS WHICH HAD 28,579 MILES. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX REPORT AND SALES PERSON, THIS VEHICLE HAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE 100 POINT INSPECTION, AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION THIS CAR HAD NO MAJOR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECTS. WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS I NOTICED A SLIGHT DELAY BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS BEGAN TO MANIFEST, SO NATURALLY, I TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BACK TO CARMAX. SINCE THE PROBLEM EXCEEDED THEIR ABILITY TO FIX IT, I WAS INSTRUCTED BY CARMAX TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS YOUR ORGANIZATION, FORD. ON JULY 1ST 2008 A FORD MECHANIC AT THE 95TH WESTERN LOCATION REPORTED THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED THE TRUCK, REPLACED VIBRATION DAMPER, AND WORKED ON THE PULLEY-CRANKSHAFT. THE DELAY CEASED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED IN AN EVEN GREATER CAPACITY THAN BEFORE AS NOW THE GEARS BETWEEN THE FORWARD AND REVERSE PROCEEDED TO PRODUCE A KICK BACK MOTION. I DECIDED TO GET A SECOND WRITTEN MECHANICAL OPINION FROM MEINEKE TRANSMISSION AND MUFFLER ON 107TH WESTERN, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. SINCE THE 100 POINT INSPECTION ON THE CARFAX DID NOT INDICATE SUCH, AS I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT CARMAX WOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ME THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION, I DECIDED TO GET YET ANOTHER WRITTEN OPINION. ONCE AGAIN, BY ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT LUCHA'S AUTO REPAIR IN SOUTH C

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER-THE REAR HATCH HINGE BROKE. LOOKS LIKE IT IS CORRODED. HAVE NOT FOUND OUT HOW MUCH THIS COSTS BECAUSE OF LACK OF MONEY. HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE AND EVEN A RECALLS FOR THE YEAR BEFORE THIS FOR THE SAME THING. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING RECALLED? I AM A 5FT 2 INCH WOMAN, AND I HAD TO CATCH THIS WHEN IT FELL OFF. IT COULD HAVE BROKEN MY LEGS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR, IT SUDDENLY CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

REAR LIFT GATE ON 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WOULD NOT CLOSE. NOTICED HINGE ATTACHMENT FOR GLASS LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS FALLING OFF. GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE AND IS DAMAGED. *TR

I STARTED MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE OTHER DAY, AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, LIKE A LAWN MOWER, RIGHT WHEN IT STARTED. I SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO BRING ME TO THE FORD DEALER. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENGINE SPAT OUT A SPARK PLUG. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUV'S AND PICK-UPS. THE TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS TO PLUG THE SOCKET BECAUSE THE THREADS WORE OUT. HOWEVER THE SPARK PLUG WAS FACTORY-INSTALLED AND THE ISSUE IS DEFINITELY A FORD PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME, IT COULD BE EITHER LEAD TO A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR, OR BOTH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT'S TWO YEAR OLD SON GRABBED THE KEY AND PLACED IT IN THE IGNITION. HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE NEVER IGNITED. THE CHILD THEN PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE SHIFTER IN EITHER NEUTRAL OR DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET DOWN A HILL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRUSH-HOG AND A HONDA VEHICLE BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CHILD SUSTAINED A CONTUSION AND LACERATIONS TO HIS HEAD, CHEST, AND LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY AT A SALVAGE YARD. THE POLICE STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED, THE GEARS WERE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED, WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION HAD SLIPPED ONCE AND TOOK IT IN AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED TO A MERCURY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY CHANGED FLUID AND FILTER NOW IT DON'T HAVE REVERSE OR FORWARD GEARS UNLESS I SHIFT IT MANUALLY THE DEALER SAID IF THEY CHANGE FLUID IT WILL GET WORSE AND IT DID SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHY WASN'T A RECALL GIVEN FOR THIS VEHICLES TRANSMISSION PLUS THERE IS NO DIP STICK ON THE TRANSMISSION TO CHECK THE FLUID NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 3500 DOLLARS AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT A CAR COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS. *TR

OUR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2008 AT DEALERSHIP NEARBY. WE WERE DRIVING HOME AND THERE WAS A GRINDING AND POPPING SOUND IN THE REAREND OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ME , MY HUSBAND, 3 MTH OLD AND 2 YR OLD OCCUPYING THE CAR. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND STATED TO GET THE BABIES OUT OF THE CAR IN A HURRY IT WAS ON FIRE. WE GOT THE BABIES OUT AND RAN IN TO CALL 911 AND THE FIRE DEPT. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED AND TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE AT THAT TIME I CONTACTED MY AUTO INSURANCE TO SEE IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE COVERED. THEY SENT AN AUTO ADJUSTER OUT TO LOOK AT IT. OUR INSURANCE DID HELP TO REPAIR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD GOT SO HOT IT EXPLODED CAUSING THE FIRE. THEN AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS AGAIN AT THAT TIME I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY EXPLAINED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE CAR BUT IF I TOOK TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC THEY MAY CONSIDER REPAIRING. SO I DID AND THE WHOLE TRANSFER CASE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND FORD IS NOT PAYING FOR THE COST. I JUST DON'T WANT THIS EXPERIENCE TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE AND TO RISK THEIR LIVES JUST DRIVING THIS CAR AS A RESULT TO A FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK. I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS SAFE FOR US TO DRIVE I ALWAYS HAVE THAT FEAR IN MY MIND AND WORRYING ABOUT MY BABIES. NOW I HAVE THIS NEW PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND ONE PARTICULAR COMPANY THAT HAS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. SOMETHING REALLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL OF HER VEHICLE. THE CRACK CURVES AROUND THE MERCURY LOGO LOCATED ON THE REAR PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER 20% OFF THE REPAIR SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB

MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE THAT APPEARED A YEAR AFTER I BROUGHT IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING I MIGHT HAVE DONE BUT EVERY ONE I RAN ACROSS HAS THE SAME IDENTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME AREA. PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH SAID IT JUST SHOWED UP ONE DAY. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT? *TR

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I NOTICED WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT JERKS REAL HARD INTO GEAR. ALSO COMING TO A STOP AND WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WILL JERK. *TR

THE FAILURE IS FOR A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND 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 ON ONLINE FORUMS AND TO ME SEEMS LIKE A DEFICIENCY IN THE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THE LIFT GATE OR TAILGATE. (I.E. - THE LOGO IS SO BIG AND THE MATERIAL AROUND THE LOGO EMBLEM SO THIN THAT IT CRACKS UNDER PRESSURE AND CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE) I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE FORD EXPLORER HAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF PROBLEM, YET MERCURY HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE INCURRED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAVE BEEN AROUND THE SAME YEARS (2004-2006 MODELS - OR AT LEAST THE VEHICLES THAT I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OCCUR IN.) 1. THE EVENTS THAT HAVE LED UP TO THIS FAILURE INCLUDES: MERCURY AND FORD ARE SOLELY TO BLAME FOR PRODUCING A FAULTY TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE ON THESE VEHICLES AND SHOULD RECALL THEM. THE CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE ALONG WITH AVERAGE USAGE OF SHUTTING OR CLOSING THE TAILGATE WOULD CAUSE A VIBRATION TO PROMOTE THE TAILGATE TO CRACK. I NOTICED MY FAILURE OR CRACK IN MID-AUGUST OF 2008, I'VE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE 2004 BUT IT HAS BEEN GARAGED ALL OF THOSE YEARS EXCEPT FOR LAST YEAR, WHICH COULD EXPLAIN WHY IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR (CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE MORE SEVERE). 2. I HAVE NOTED HOW THE FAILURE OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS AESTHETIC

CRACK APPEARED IN BODY OF VEHICLE IN THE BACK ABOVE AND AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM. IT CONTRACTS AND EXPANDS DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE. THERE WAS NO CRASH, IMPACT OR ANYTHING THAT CAUSED THIS FAILURE. IT IS A DEFECT IN THE BODY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ARE THE INABILITY TO USE THE HATCH, THE REPAIR BILL AND THE DEPRECIATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

CRACK ON REAR HATCH FROM TOP OF HATCH DOWN AND AROUND THE EMBLEM (UNDER THE REAR WINDOW). VEHICLE IS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 75K MILES. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND RECENTLY WITHIN THIS MONTH NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE AND THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT RISE FULLY. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REAR WINDOW PANEL CRACKED AND HINGES WILL NOT STAY TIGHT. FORD DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT FORD WILL NOT REPAIR IF VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS 53,000 MILES BUT I HAD DEALER CHECK VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS ADJUSTING. *TR

WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE MY OFFICE DOOR THE BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW AND LIFTGATE BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAD THE CHILDREN BEEN SEATED IN THE 3RD SEAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. FORD MOTOR CO REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HANDLES IT AS A COMP CLAIM AND I WAS OUT $250. AND WITHOUT AN ANSWER AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED AND WOULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN!?? *TR

MY WIFE WAS CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW PORTION OF THE REAR HATCH AND THE 2 HINGES SNAPPED OFF AND THE WHOLE WINDOW FELL DOWN TO THE BUMPER SHE HAD TO GET A CHAIR TO PUT UNDER IT SO IT DIDN'T CRASH TO THE FLOOR ALL THIS BY HERSELF TRYING TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL SHE COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE I THINK WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS THE STRUTS ARE BAD AND THEY ARE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *TR

CRACK AT MERCURY EMBLEM ON BACK PANEL GLASS SECTION. THIS SUDDENLY APPEARED. WAS ADVISED BY LOCAL MERCURY DEALERSHIP, NORTHPARK LINCOLN MERCURY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. ALSO HAD THIS EXAMINED BY A BODYSHOP AND WAS TOLD IT APPEARED TO BE A DEFECT. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER PREMIER, 45,049 MILES - REAR LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE RIGHT IN HALF & LIFTGATE FELL WHILE VEHICLE OWNER REACHING FOR BAG IN CARGO AREA. INJURIES TO BACK OF HEAD, NECK, RIGHT SHOULDER, ELBOW, WRIST, THORACIC SPINE, RIGHT SCAPULA, RIGHT HIP, KNEE & ANKLE. DEALER (WEST HERR) REMOVED & REPLACED BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES & REASSEMBLED LIFTGATE GLASS. *TR

VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES. FOR THE LAST 5,000 MILES OR SO, THE CAR WILL HAVE A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE AND TURN OFF. WE HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, AND THEN START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE OR SIX TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

I JUST PURCHASE A USED 2004 MERCURY MTNR...EVERYTIME I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CARS LIGHTS COME ON AND GAUGES AND THE VEHICLES TURNS OFF I HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT RESTARTS. *TR