2002 Mercury Mountaineer Complaint Log

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD *TGW THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. THE CONSUMER ALSO MAILED IN A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO OPEN COUNTRY AT TIRES, SIZE P22570R15 (NA). THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN MAY OF 2007 FROM JENSEN TIRE COMPANY WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. AT 36,000 MILES, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT IN JUNE OF 2008. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL. THE TIRE COMPANY FROM WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED IS PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAILED TIRE. THE REMAINING TIRES WERE INSPECTED BY OTHER SHOPS AND EACH SHOP RECOMMENDED THAT THE REST OF THE TIRES BE REPLACED. TOYO STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE TIRES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,402.

IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (75K MILES), THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SUDDENLY FAILED, LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME WHEN WE NOTICED THE ISSUE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS $1500 TO REPLACE THE PUMP SINCE THEY HAVE TO TEAR APART THE TRANSMISSION TO GET TO THE PUMP. ACCORDING THE TECHNICIAN, THE TRANSMISSION HAS NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS (NO METAL SHAVINGS, FLUID LOOKS GREAT, NO WEAR). FORD STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND HAD TOO MANY MILES FOR FORD TO TAKE ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY. FORD STATED IT WAS OUTSIDE THEIR 3 YR / 36,000 MILE RESPONSIBILITY. FORD WILL DO NOTHING. 1. NONE, ONE DAY I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND EVERY GEAR I SHIFT TO ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. 2. THE PUMP FAILURE HAPPENED ONCE, THEN NEEDED TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. 3. THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WAS REBUILT (PARTS - $200, LABOR - $1300). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING (MPH UNKNOWN) THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BAND BROKE AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THEY INFORMED HIM OF A TSB REGARDING HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,482.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, LIMITED SLIP LOCKED UP, PUSHES IN CORNERS AND BINDS. *TR

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER V8 AWD 4.6 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HAD UNDER 60,000 MILES, BUT HAD SURPASSED EXTENDED WARRANTY TIME FRAME. REVERSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. SHIFTED VERY HARD THROUGH GEARS. SOMETIMES TACKING AT 3000 RPM. TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. REPAIRED AT A COST OF 2600.00. HAVE SINCE RETURNED VEHICLE TO SAME PLACE FOR SAME ISSUES PLUS TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. SEAT BELTS LOCKED DOWN FOR NO REASON. WOULD NOT RETRACT. CALLED DEALER, COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I WAS OVER RESTRAINT WARRANTY BY 3000 MILES. HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS. FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON OR BLINKS, OR IS OFF. CALLED DEALER, STATED REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW JUNE 2002. TODAY IT HAS 65,00 MILES ON IT. IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON THE HIGHWAY FOR VACATIONS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL SMALL REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLES DRIVE TRAIN AND SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM TO INCLUDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG ISSUES. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS I SEE ON LINE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND FRONT AIR BAG ISSUES, SEEMS TO ME SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HELP THOSE OF US THAT PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A FORD/ MERCURY OWNER SINCE 1971. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I HAVE HAD THAT HAD MAJOR ISSUES. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, NUMEROUS CODES. COMMON WITH THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. COST OF REPLACEMENT OR REBUILT MORE THAT $2,000.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED DOWN AN INCLINE INTO SOME SMALL TREES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND STRUCK HER MOUTH AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN IN TWO PLACES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHICH OVER TIME RUINED MY REAR WHEEL BEARINGS MY WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAILY AND HAS NEVER TOWED A TRAILER OR HAULED HEAVY LOADS. *TR

OUR MOUNTAINEER HAS 84,257 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION ALREADY HAS TO BE REBUILT. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I DID WRONG OR I COULD OF DONE TO PREVENT IT, THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD WON'T HELP US BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

ON LOCAL STREET AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH. #2 SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT FROM CYLINDER HEAD. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BLOWN EXHAUST GASKET. AFTER ARRIVING HOME HAVE FOUND THAT PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT BREAKING THE COIL AND EXPOSING THE ENG TO A POSSIBLE FIRE FROM THE ARCING. THIS WAS ORIGINAL SPARKPLUG INSTALLATION. *TR

PLASTIC PIECE BETWEEN THE BACK WINDOW AND LIFT GATE HANDLE KEEPS CRACKING. A ($400 REPAIR) 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE INCIDENT/ISSUE INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION. FOR MODEL YEAR 2002 & 2003, FORD INSTALLED THE TRANSMISSION 5R55W IN THE EXPLORER AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES. THE TRANSMISSION TYPICALLY GIVES OUT BETWEEN 25,000 AND 60,000 MILES. MINE GAVE OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MY TWO CHILDREN. LUCKILY, WE DID NOT GET HIT, BUT UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT IS HUGE. THERE ARE TWO WEBSITES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH THESE TWO MODELS AND YEAR. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AS WELL AS YOU, THE NHTSA, AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. YOU HAVE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS, AND ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN MONTHLY INVESTIGATION REPORTS, FROM 10/2007 TO 03/2008, YOU HAVE NOT EVEN INVESTIGATED IT. IT'S GOING TO TAKE NUMEROUS PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN ON YOUR BEHALF. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND THE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.....DO SOMETHING!! *TR

MY WIFE AND MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH ON 2/12/2008. THE AIR BAGS ON THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

SERIOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. *TR

UPPER REAR LIFT GATE BELOW THE REAR GLASS WINDOW WAS FOUND WITH SEVERAL CRACKS ON A COLD WINTER MORNING. NO RECENT IMPACTS OTHER THAN NORMAL REAR HATCH CLOSINGS. HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER SIMILAR MAKE/MODELS OF FORD/MERCURY WITH THE SAME DAMAGE IN EXACT SAME LOCATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I DID NOTHING UNUSUAL, THE PROBLEM JUST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TAKE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED. I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 66,000 MILES AND I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE NO WARRANTY, AND TO FIX IT COSTS $1,500. I WAS TRYING TO FIND THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION AND REALIZED FROM BLOGS ABOUT 02 MOUNTAINEERS AND MOST FORD VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THIS OCCURRENCE BECAUSE IM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE BEGINNING TO CORRODE FROM THE REAR TO THE FRONT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE THERE WAS NO RELATED RECALLS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE AS IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAS TO BE REBUILT AT 70,000 MILES. AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON AND ONGOING PROBLEM THAT SHOULD QUALIFY IT FOR A RECALL. *TR

NOTICED SLIGHT ROARING NOISE IN REAR SUSPENSION. FIGURED IT WAS A WHEEL BEARING THAT WAS WORN, WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS, BUT IN LOOKING AT THAT ISSUE SAW THAT REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. VEHICLE STANCE DID NOT INDICATE A BROKEN SPRING. CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE TO BE SAFE AND NOTED THAT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES AND LOOKED AS IF IT WAS TO COME OFF THE BOTTOM SPRING/STRUT CUSHION. AS A RESULT OF THIS MECHANIC INDICATED BROKEN SPRINGS HAD CREATED PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR TOE LINKS. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS SEEN NO OFF-ROAD USE OR BEEN USED TO CARRY HEAVY CARGO LOADS. LADY DRIVEN ONLY. *TR

AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2002 MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS, I CAN HARDLY TYPE I AM SO FRUSTRATED. THE NUMBER OF POWER TRAIN COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL ARE ASTOUNDING. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER (AKA MONEY SUCKER) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AT THE FORD DEALER FOR $3500. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A FUNNY SHUTTER WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AS WELL AS HESITATION WHEN DROPPING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS YESTERDAY MY WIFE THOUGHT HER TIRES WERE SPINNING WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PROCEED AT A STOP LIGHT. SHE THANKFULLY AVOIDED BEING REAR ENDED BY A SEMI THAT WAS ABLE TO SWERVE ONTO THE APRON AND AVOID CONTACT WITH HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE SHE THEN CALLED ME. AFTER I ARRIVED, I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT COULD BE DIAGNOSED. HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD ONLY REACH 30MPH AND THE RPMS WERE AT 4,000 TO 5,000 AT THAT SPEED. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED IT AND REMOVED THE BATTERY CABLES FOR 10 MINUTES TO SEE IF THE COMPUTER WOULD RESET ITSELF ? THIS DID NOT HELP. IN FACT, THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. HAD THE DEALER PICK IT UP TO GET IT FIXED. THIS CAR HAS 108,000 MILES ON IT ? NOT EXACTLY KNEW THIS IS TRUE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES TO GET THAT MANY MILES OUT OF IT ? FROM THE REPORTS I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED AND REPLACED FRONT LEFT BEARINGS, REAR LEFT BEARING AND HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING THAT MANY HAVE REPORTED ON THIS VEHICLE (BINDING, TENSION, CAN'T MAKE FULL TURNS, POPPING SOUNDS). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT THE DRIVER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT. HE DEACTIVATED THE SEAT HEATER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOAM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WAS PROBABLY THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR AND THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NOT A BLOWN FUSE. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND THEN OCCURRED DURING HOT TEMPERATURES. CURRENTLY, THE FAILURE IS CONSTANT, WHICH CAUSES THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AS WELL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED / WILL NOT GO OUT. / THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CHRONIC ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR / SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS / SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY MERCURY AND NOT THE OWNER / COSTLY REPAIR / NORMAL DRIVING AND WEAR / THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE NEEDS REPAIR. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN IT WAS LIFTER CAUSING THE GLASS AND METAL BAR ACROSS THE WINDOW TO TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD AND BACK. THE GLASS CAUSED CUTS ON MY HANDS, FEET AND THEY BECAME EMBEDDED IN MY SKULL. THE METAL BAR CAUSED A CUT AND A BRUISED SKULL. *TR

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. STATE FARM INSURANCE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SOMEONE WANTED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIRS WERE MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER HIT A HOMEOWNERS GARAGE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR WENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS AT THE DEALER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIANS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE REPAIRS MADE. AFTER THE REPAIRERS WERE MADE, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE COIL SPRING WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN ALMOST CUT DOWN A TIRE SAID THE DEALER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND TOWING A CAMPER, THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SKIPPED GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE IT CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE SERVO PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORN, WHICH DAMAGED THE BANDS AND DRUMS. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,678 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,800. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

FRONT END NOISE AND VIBRATION THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF FORD SUV EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. IT IS EFFECTING THE DRIVING AND SHAKES THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SUV SPRINGS ARE MAKING A LARGE NOISY SOUND WHEN TURNING AND CANT TURN ALL THE WAY IN ONE DIRECTION. TRUCK JUST STOPS AT A CERTAIN POINT. *TR

TRAVELING I-95 N BETWEEN BALTIMORE,MD AND WILMINGTON DE WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN 2002 MERC MTNR. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR AT TOLL BOTH. PULLED OFF HWY AT REST STOP BUT DID NOT TURN OFF ENGINE. PULLED BACK ONTO HWY, ACCELERATED AND CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR CAME ON. O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. PULLED OFF HWY, CALLED FOR TOW AND WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD BAND WAS BROKEN IN TRANSMISSION AND REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AT COST OF $4361. HAD JUST REPLACED LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND REAR PARKING BRAKES WEEK PRIOR FOR $650. VEHICLE HAD 75K MILES. COULDN'T JUSTIFY SPENDING THAT MUCH MONEY ON 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT HAD LEFT ME STRANDED FIVE HOURS FROM HOME. TRADED VEHICLE (GOT ANNIHILATED ON TRADE!) AND CONTINUED MY TRIP.

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SWERVED TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD, BUT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT SIDE HAD ALSO BROKEN AT SOME POINT. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HERE ARE TWO OF THE MANY LINKS WITH OWNERS EXPRESSING THE SAME CONCERNS. HTTP://WWW.EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=1619655 , HAS TWO PAGES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS, HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML , TALKS ABOUT BROKEN SPRINGS ON ALL FORD MODELS. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THIS IS THE FIRST THEY HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY JUST HAPPEN TO STOCK THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT. I COULD NOT AFFORD THEIR COST SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY A RELATIVE. *TR

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM FAILED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE REPAIRED BY BILLY-HOWEL FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, CUMMING, GEORGIA. *TR

LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT WHEEL. FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED WHEEL BEARING AS PART HAD FAILED. AFTER REPLACING FRONT WHEEL BEARING THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED AS WELL DUE TO A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM REAR END RIGHT WHEEL. BOTH ARE BEING REPLACED FOR $500.00. WHO KNOWS WHEN THE OTHER TWO WHEEL BEARINGS ARE GOING TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS UNCOMMON TO HEAR OF A WHEEL BEARING FAILING WITH SO FEW MILES. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 THROUGH 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS OR FORD EXPLORERS FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS READ AND THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I AM HAVING THE WORK DONE AT STATED THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. I WOULD THINK WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT A RECALL WOULD HAVE OR WILL OCCUR. I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS A VEHICLE WITH OVER 100,000 MILES IF NOT MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, BUT VEHICLES WITH AS FEW AS 10,000 MILES THIS IS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. *TR

RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE PAD FELL APART AS MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO A REAR BRAKE JOB. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH 2002 THROUGH 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS. CAN'T BELIEVE A PARKING BRAKE PAD WOULD JUST FALL APART IN PIECES WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS NEVER USED. *TR

MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER V8 AWD HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME ONGOING PROBLEM. BROUGHT INTO FORD CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP WITH COMPLAINTS OF CLICKING AND GRINDING IN THE FRONT END. WARRANTY COMPANY PAID OVER $1500 TO HAVE REPAIRED. REPAIRS INVOLVED THE DRIVE SHAFT. I JUST RECENTLY PAIN OVER $400 TO HAVE SIMILAR WORK DONE AFTER VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SAME CLICKING AND GRINDING. SOMETHING TO DO WITH BALL BEARINGS AND FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. CAR WAS STILL MAKING SAME NOISES UNTIL FRONT END APPARENTLY DISENGAGED TEMPORARILY. DIDN'T REALIZED CAR WAS IN REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY UNTIL BACK TIRES WERE SPINNING IN THE SNOW. AS OF 3 DAYS AGO THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SEVER GRINDING, BINDING, AND CLICKING. STILL OWE OVER $10,000 ON THE VEHICLE AND DOESN'T SEEM FAIR TO HAVE TO KEEP REPAIRING THE SAME ON GOING PROBLEM. THIS PART OF THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. EVEN AFTER FORD REPAIRED, STILL HAD SOME DEGREE OF BINDING AND CLICKING WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. 1ST REPAIR WAS DON'T ON 5-11-07. *TR

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

ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26TH 2007 AT 7AM I TOOK MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TO DUNCANVILLE FORD TO HAVE THE LIFT GATE REPAIRED. THE LEFT HINGE BOLT BROKE, DETACHING THE HINGE, WHICH LEFT MY HATCHBACK HANGING BY THE RIGHT HINGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DUNCANVILLE FORD REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT MY VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGING ME A $47 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. WHEN I TOLD HIM THE BACK GATE WAS GOING TO FALL AND BREAK, HE TOLD ME TO PULL MY TRUCK INTO THE SERVICE BAY, THE CHARGE IS $47 AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE REPAIR COSTS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO REPAIR. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THE LEFT LIFTGATE HINGE, BUT DUE TO THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH RESTING ON THE RIGHT HINGE, IT BENT AS WELL. I DROVE TO GRAND PRAIRIE FORD TO PURCHASE THE PART AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO DUNCANVILLE FORD SO THEY COULD REPAIR THE LIFTGATE HINGE AND CHECK THE STRUTS FOR DAMAGE, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE BODY SHOP ATTACHED THE HINGE (WITHOUT THE EPOXY) SO THE HATCH WOULD NOT FALL OFF AND I RETURNED TO DUNCANVILLE FORD. I ASKED HIM WHY WASN'T I TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN I ARRIVED IN THE MORNING AND HIS RESPONSE WAS, MAYBE THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA, THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THE HATCHBACK, LIFTGATE, AND LIFTGATE GLASS ON FORD VEHICLES ALMOST EVERY YEAR SINCE 1992. SINCE THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE ON FORD VEHICLES FOR PAST 15 YEARS, IT SEEMS REASONABLE THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD REMEMBER THAT. AT A MINIMUM, FROM A CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDPOINT, IT SEEMS HE WOULD HAVE AT LEAST LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND INPUT MY VIN TO ENSURE THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS PRIOR TO DISCUSSING ANY SERVICE FEES WITH ME. DUE TO ALL THE STRESS ON THAT ONE HINGE, MY LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. ON APRIL 15, 2007, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND RECEIVED HEADACHE MEDICATION FROM HER DOCTOR. THE VEHICLE'S HOOD AND FENDER WERE DAMAGED. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,246 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,246. UPDATED 02/01/08.* LJ

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

FRONT SPRING ON 2002 SABLE BROKE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, ONLY 83,000 MILES. FORD MOTOR WILL NOT HELP TO REPLACE AT NO CHARGE, OR REPLACE THE $120 TIRE THAT THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED. PREVIOUSLY 3 YEARS , 99-0, ) WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND FORD STILL WON'T REPLACE THEM FOR ME, AFTER FAILURE. IT WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR CAUSED ANOTHER PERSONS SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY WOULD ASSIST ME, BUT DUE TO PREVIOUS DEFECTS WITH THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE THAT CAUSED IT TO IDLE SO HARD THAT IT WOULD STALL WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AT ONLY 3000 MILES. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PROBLEM. *AK

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 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? SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOTEN KILLED. IF THIS WERE A BABY SEAT, CRIB OR CHILD TOY IT WOULD BE RECALLED. WE CAN'T WAIT TILL THERE IS A DEATH FROM THIS PROBLEM. *AK

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

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!!!

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

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 MERCURY SABLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THEN, TTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE FOR A SECOND TIME, BUT COULD NOT. THE CONTACT GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE FROM GOING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE DRIVER'S LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND SAW THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND LACERATED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT PUT A NEW TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER TO CONTACT HIM REGARDING THE FAILURE. *AK

01/18/07 WHEN TRUCK SHIFTS GEARS IT VIBRATES. SOLUTION: FLUSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. (ALSO CHANGED OIL) HELPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT PROBLEM IS BACK. ($198.95) 5/29/07 AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SOLUTION: REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE PRETENSIONER. (ALSO CHANGED OIL). $273.19 6/26/07 HEARD VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. SOLUTION: REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL (INTERNAL DAMAGE TO CLUTCHES), BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS (BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE) $1580.23 11/07/07 TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR AND SEEMS TO JUMP WHILE TURNING. SOLUTION: FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND REPLACE SEALS IN REAR. $482.97 STILL HAVE THE LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. 12/13/07 TAKE TRUCK TO DIFFERENT PLACE WITH SAME PROBLEM. SOLUTION: REPLACE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING. $401.73. 02/18/08 STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. SOLUTION: LEFT REAR HUB BEARING, DRUMS IN REAR, AND NOW MECHANIC TELLS ME I NEED CLUTCH PACKS IN REAR TO SOLVE PROBLEM. TELLS ME I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER.??? $380.00. NOW I CAN ADD ALL OF THIS UP 198.95+273.19+1580.23+482.97+401.73+380.00=$3017.07 TO FINALLY GET MY TRUCK FIXED---------PRICELESS!!!!!!!!! *TR

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