2000 Mercury Mountaineer Body & Structure Problems

The contact's daughter owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while her husband and her daughter were inspecting the engine compartment of the vehicle, the hinges of the hood failed, causing the hood to drop inadvertently. The contact's husband sustained a laceration on the arm but did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the hood hinges were replaced. Additionally, the contact purchased a stick to hold the hood open. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NO SINGLE EVENT LED TO THE FAILURE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN THE REAR LIFT DOOR OF THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE MOUNTING PLATES FOR THE REAR DOOR HINGES HAVE FAILED. NOTE THAT THE HINGES HAVE NOT FAILED. THE FAILURE IS IN THE MOUNTING POINT IN THE DOOR. ONE SIDE HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH AND THE OTHER SIDE HAS PARTIALLY CRACKED. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IF BOTH MOUNT POINTS FAIL THERE WILL NOT BE ANY THING HOLDING THE TOP OF THE REAR LIFT DOOR. THE DOOR COULD THEREFORE SEPARATE FROM THE CAR AND FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. IF THE MOUNT POINTS FAIL, THE ONLY ITEMS HOLDING THE DOOR WOULD BE THE SIDE LIFT CYLINDERS. THESE CYLINDERS WOULD NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP THE DOOR ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED 2 DAYS AGO. ACTIONS TAKEN SO FAR ARE LIMITED TO GETTING ESTIMATES TO FIX PROBLEM. MERCURY DEALER REPRESENTATIVE WAS NOT HELPFUL SINCE VEHICLE IS A 2000 MOUNTAINEER AND NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. HIS RESPONSE WAS LIMITED TO SAYING HE HAD NEVER SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND GIVING ME THE NAME OF A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IF THE HINGE MOUNTS FAIL COMPLETELY AND THE DOOR FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, A MAJOR ACCIDENT MIGHT RESULT. *TR

WATER LEAKAGE IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IS A HEALTH HAZARD DUE TO MOLD ISSUES, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. SICKNESS FROM MOLD CAN BE A LIFELONG AFFLICTION. IT IS A HEALTH SAFETY ISSUE. WATER LEAKING INTO THE INTERIOR OF A CAR, WHETHER BY DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY OR DEFECTIVE DESIGN, SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD (AND PROBABLY OTHER MAKE) VEHICLES THAT HAVE MOONROOFS OR SUNROOFS. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO STOP THIS. FORD'S IMPLICIT DENIAL OF BLAME IS A MORAL FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT TO FORD... WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SALES OR SERVICE ISSUE?:MY 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS BEEN LEAKING IN THE INTERIOR FROM A KINKED MOONROOF DRAIN HOSE. I TOOK IT TO A BODYSHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE DRAIN HOSE WAS PERMANENTLY KINKED FROM SLOPPY ASSEMBLY. THE DRAIN HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHAT ACTION HAS YOUR DEALER TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?:MY DEALER SAW THE DRAIN HOSE AND AGREED IT WAS A FACTORY ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THEY GAVE ME THE 1-800-392-3673 AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT THAT NUMBER FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROTOCOL OR RECALL TO ADDRESS THE DRAIN HOSE ISSUE. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. WHAT ASSISTANCE ARE YOU SEEKING FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY?:FORD SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE DRAIN HOSE. $272.85. THERE WERE OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS MOLD WHICH I WAS ABLE TO FIX MYSELF. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE DRAIN HOSE. I AM CERTAIN THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE AN AFFADAVIT THAT THIS WAS AN ASSEMBLY DEFECT. I CAN ALSO SEND A PHOTO. ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YES VIN : [XXX] MILEAGE : 150000 WHERE IS YOUR VEHICLE NOW : INPOSSESSION HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE DEALER :YES DEALER NAME : WESTLIE FORD INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CONSUMER STATED DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED AND WAS NOT PLACED PROPERLY. DEALER REPLACED NEW DOOR PANEL. MR *TT