2002 Mercury Mountaineer Complaint Log

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS,AND BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH. RPM RACED HIGH. OD LIGHT WOULD FLASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RPM'S WOULD RACE HIGH, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, THEN SUDDENLY CATCH. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 56K MILES. TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP, $600. REPAIR BILL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAS ALL SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WHEN SHE WAS CLOSING HER LIFTGATE CYLINDER DETACHED. WEATHER CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS A RAINY DAY AND TEMPERATURE AROUND 50 DEGREES. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES ON WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING WHILE PULLING ONTO HIGHWAYS. CAR TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND WILL COST $2,400 TO REPAIR. MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MOUNTAINEERS BUT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS IT IS NOT DEEMED A SAFETY HAZARD. APPARENTLY THE CAR MAKER HAS NOT BEEN IN SUCH A CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A BUSY FREEWAY! WE ALSO HAD NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. *NM

MERCURY MOUTAINEER 2003, THE HATCH OF THE CAR JUST CAME DOWN AND HIT HER, SHE JUMPED BACK AND THE DOOR CONTINUED TO CLOSE AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED. CONTACT LEARNED THAT THE CAR DOOR HAS A SAFETY RECALL AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SAFETY RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED ON HER CAR AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. CONTACT WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO NOW. DOESN'T FEEL SHE IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY RECALL.

A LARGE CRACK SPONTANEOUSLY FORMED RUNNING VERTICALLY DOWN THE PANEL OF THE REAR LIFTGATE OF OUR 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER NEAR THE EMBLEM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN IF THE CRACK HAS LED TO A FAILURE OF THE TAILGATE INTEGRITY AS FAR AS WATERPROOFING IS CONCERNED. *JB.

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 58,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR, SO MY WIFE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING SAFE TO DRIVE. SO FAR, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT. IF SHE WERE TO TRY TO CROSS A BUSY INTERSECTION OR TO ATTEMPT TO MERGE AND THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD BE A TRAGEDY. I LOOKED THROUGH YOUR SERVICE BULLETINS. I BELIEVE WHAT I REFER TO IS DOCUMENTED. 10014089. THIS CAR IS ALMOST NEW. FORD SHOULD PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL! THANKS. *NM

BOUGHT USED FROM A DEALER 10-05 WITH 71328 MILES. CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC. NO PROBLEMS W/ DRIVE TRAIN, TRANNY, OR SUSPENSION, EXCEPT TO CHANGE FLUIDS IN DIFFERENTIALS (REAR & FRONT). DID THIS FIRST WEEK WE OWNED IT & WATER FOUND IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL. 1ST OWNER'S RECORDS CAME WITH CAR. ALL SERVICES WERE DONE (NO MENTION OF PROBLEMS). I SERVICED IT EVERY 2-3000 MILES. ON 4-27-06 THE TRANNY FLUSHED, & THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL & TRANSFER CASE SERVICED. MILEAGE WAS 85857. 2 NEW TIRES PUT ON FRONT ON 5-25-06 (FLAT TIRE). ON WAY HOME (18 MI. INTO 35 MI. DRIVE), FRONT END STARTED TO FAIL. COULDN'T FIND SOURCE OF LEAKING FLUID. DRIVE HOME. NEXT MORNING, TRIED TO RETURN TO MECHANIC WITH CAR. MADE IT ABOUT 25 OF THE 35 MILES TO TOWN BEFORE FRONT END FAILED. MECHANIC SHOWED US THE GEARS FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL--THE "TEETH" WERE SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF 1/3 OF IT--REMAINING TEETH SHEARED DOWN BY AT LEAST 50%. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED, ALSO 4 BALL JOINTS, SEALS FOR BOTH SHAFTS, BRAKE PADS (FROM DIFFERENTIAL FLUID DAMAGE) WERE REPLACED. ALL 4 WHEELS HAD BEARINGS REPACKED. 2 MORE TIRES BOUGHT. WITHIN 1 WEEK, BEGAN HEARING NOISE AGAIN FROM DRIVE TRAIN. CAR BACK AT MECHANIC ON 6-20-06. THE NOISE NOW FROM REAR TRANSFER CASE. IT WAS FLUSHED 2 TIMES (FLUID FILLED WITH FINE METAL FRAGMENTS). THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ALSO CHANGED. MECHANIC SAID 4-6 MONTHS UNTIL REAR END FAILED. I'VE NOW LOST THE REAR END--ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 4 SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS & REPLACE ALL AXLES. WILL RE-ASSESS FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AFTER REAR IS FIXED. WE'VE CONTACTED FORD, NO RECALLS FOR OUR CAR. THEY'LL NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS OR REIMBURSE FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I'M NOT ORIGINAL OWNER & WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. IT DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR STATE LEMON LAW (MILEAGE). THERE'S AT LEAST 31 PROBLEMS AND 18 COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT I'VE HAD IN THE 1 YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. THIS IS A FORD ISSUE. I JUST WANT TO RE-COUP MY $4000+ IN REPAIR COSTS & TRADE IT OFF FOR A NON-FORD SUV. *NM

UNDER BACK GLASS OF MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THERE IS A STRIP ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BACK THAT IS CRACKED IN 2 I HAVE NOTICE EVERY MOUNTAINEER I HAVE SEEN OLD AND NEW ALL ARE DOING THE SAME ITS LIKE ALL THE ONES ON THE ROAD TO DAY ARE LIKE THAT AND IT COULD BREAK ALL THE WAY OFF AND HIT A CAR AND IT HAS SHARP EDGES AND DEALERS WANT TO MUNCH TO FIX IT WELL I THANK IF ALL MOUNTAINEERS ARE LIKE THIS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED U CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND LOOK AT THEM ALL THEY ARE LIKE THAT SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

THE REAR LIFT GATE SEEMINGLY IS OPEN ALTHOUGH ALL THE DOORS OF THE CAR ARE CLOSED IT STILL SHOWS A "DOOR AJAR" SIGN IN THE INFORMATION PANEL IN THE DASHBOARD. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ROTATE THE TIRES, THE MECHANIC NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS. NO WARNING LIGHT ALERTED THE CONTACT OF THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

POWERTRAIN ISSUE. AT 79,700 MILES, MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD WHICH COST ME 2500.00. APPARENTLY THERE IS A BAD SOLENOID AND BANDS THAT TOTALLY BUSTED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER SEEING OTHER REPORTS ON THIS, I WANTED TO ADD MINE TO THE LIST. *JB

I HAD PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER I INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE KEYHOLE. I HEAR A VIBRATING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER A WHILE I COULD NOT HARDLY GET THE SHIFTER TO GO INTO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, OR DRIVE. I EXPERIENCED THE NOISE FOR A WHILE. I WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE SHIFTER WAS HARD TO GO INTO ANY GEAR. I FINALLY GOT THE GEAR SHIFTER TO GO TO DRIVE. THE NEXT TIME THE STEERING AND SHIFTER LOCKED UP WAS WHILE I WAS WITH MY FAMILY AT THE LOCAL STORE. IT LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO TO ANY GEAR. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND TRIED IT AGAIN, THEN THE SHIFTER FELL OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO CHARLIE HENDERSON FORD (THE LOCAL DEALER).I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THESE MODELS. I HAVE ANOTHER RELATIVE WHO HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES. *JB

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER MILEAGE 72465. AT THIS TIME IT STARTED TO SHUDDERING DURING UP SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I TOOK IT TO PITCOCK AUTO REPAIR IN RICHARDSON, TX. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND NO CODES THEY FLASHED THE COMPUTER TO RESET ALL SETTINGS AND I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS AND RETURNED IT TO THEM WHO THEN TOOK IT TO A EAGLE TRANSMISSION IN PLANO TX. THEY ALSO DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAD NO CODES! IT WAS THEN REMOVED AND OVER HAULED IT WAS THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE #1,2 CLUTCHES WERE ALMOST GONE AND THE # 3 WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVER HAULED AND TEST DRIVEN WHEN A OVER DRIVE LIGHT CAME"ON" THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REMOVED AND ALL ITEMS WERE CHECKED AGAIN REINSTALLED DURING THE TEST DRIVE AGAIN THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT CAME "ON". THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE VALVE BODY TEST DRIVEN AND THE SAME PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REMOVED AND THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE CHANGED(# OF TIME CHANGED) VALVE BODY (2),CONVERTER(2),FLASHED COMPUTER (2), REPLACED THE SEALS/GASKETS (3) AND MANY TEST DRIVES WITH SAME PROBLEM! EAGLE TRANSMISSION WAS ON THE NET WITH OTHER TRANSMISSION REPAIR PEOPLE AND ALL OF THEM COULD NOT HELP THEM TROUBLE SHOOT THIS PROBLEM AS NONE OF THEM HAD EVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN! THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO AFTER DOING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TOLD EAGLE THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE ALL ITEMS AGAIN! THE MANGER OF EAGLE HAD JUST RECEIVED THE GEARS , SEPTEMBER 2006 AND IN IT THEY HAD THE CORRECTION FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH A KIT FROM SONNAX WITH THE PART NUMBER OF 56947J-15K, THEY ORDER THE KIT AND IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM! ALL THIS HAPPENED JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TO HAVE A FORD DEALER WHO HAD NO IDEA OR WHAT TO DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS SOME THING THAT I OR EAGLE DIDN'T EXPECT! I WAS LUCKY THAT I HAD TAKEN IT TO EAGLE AND PITCOCK AS I COULD HAVE PAID TWICE WHAT I AGREED TO WHICH WAS $2500.00. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAINS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE LOOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE HEARD A CLANKING SOUND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MERCURY DEALER TWICE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST FOR FREE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT DRIVER SIDE MADE A WOBBLING SOUND WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH. THE SOUND ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ON 08/08/06 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO INSPECTED THE TIRES AND DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON THE SAME DAY AND EXPRESSED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.*AK

OF THE MANY PROBLEMS I'VE HAD SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, THE LATEST TAKES THE CAKE. HERE'S THE SKINNY OF ALL MY PROBLEMS, WITH THE LATEST MOTIVATING ME TO REPORT A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA. HOPEFULLY, SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. HERE'S A WEBSITE OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/CGI-BIN/FIX_COMMENT.PL WHERE DO I START. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 38K MILES AND IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE. FIRST THING TO GO WAS A WHEEL BEARING AT 41K, GOT THAT FIXED @ $200. NEXT TO GO @ 48K WAS THE TWO CALIPERS AND NEW ROTORS ON THE FRONT, COST $800. NEXT @ 52K WAS THE A/C NEEDED TO BE RECHARGED, $150. NEXT @ 58K, THE TWO CALIPERS IN THE BACK HAS TO BE REPLACED, COST $300 (I FOUND A GOOD MECHANIC/FRIEND). FOR THE GRAND FINALE... I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION @ 61K, COST RANGE FROM $1,800 TO $3,400. I WILL FIX IT AND DUMP IT RIGHT AWAY AND SELL IT. A COMPLETE LEMON!!! IT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE NHTSA FOR AN INVESTIGATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY FELL OFF ONTO THE FLOOR. THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE. *NM

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO YEARS. I REPLACED THE LIFTGATE GLASS IN 2004 AFTER IT SHATTERED THE FIRST TIME. A REPLACEMENT PART WAS PUT ONTO MY VEHICLE ON 12/14/05 AFTER A RECALL SERVICE. WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE PART THAT WAS DETERMINED AS DEFECTIVE IN 2004 THAT WAS PUT ONTO MY VEHICLE IN DECEMBER CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER AGAIN. *NM

(1) FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS AND WE HAD THIS RECALL SERVICED ON 1-14-05 AT LAIRD NOLLER FORD IN LAWRENCE, KS. RECALL #01I010000 (2) ON 5-13-06, THE TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE SIMPLY OPENING/LIFTING THE TAILGATE GLASS. THERE WERE MINOR CUTS TO THE HANDS AND THE DOOR WAS RENDERED USELESS AS THE CLOSING MECHANISMS OF THE DOOR WERE ATTACHED TO THE GLASS. (3) LAIRD NOLLER FORD IN LAWRENCE, KS IS SERVICING THE VEHICLE; BUT WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. TOTAL REPAIR COST $1064. *JB

LOSS OF A/C ,FOUND WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING ON OIL FILTER SPACE GUARD DUE TO POOR ROUTING OF HARNESS. MANY OTHER WIRES RUN THROUGH THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE AND OTHER FAILURES. *JB

DURING BRAKE INSPECTION MECHANIC DISCOVERED BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AT THE SAME LOCATION ON EACH COIL SPRING. I HAVE NEVER USED THIS VEHICLE FOR TOWING, OFF-ROAD USE, OR HEAVY HAULING. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35MPH AND LOSING CONTROL, THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DITCH ON A DIRT ROAD. THE TIE ROD BROKE AND TWO FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRUCK IS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS PAID OVER $6000.00 IN REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPAIR THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, LOWER BALL JOINTS, SEALING FOR BOTH SHAFTS, FOUR BRAKE PADS, BEARINGS ON ALL FOUR TIRES, AND THE REAR TRANSFER CASE WAS FLUSHED TWICE. FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND REQUEST THAT THE DEALER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM HER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE NOZZLE STOPPED AFTER THREE GALLONS AND GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED AN UNKNOWN REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,140. UPDATED 04-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR AJAR CHIME GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK FOR 5 MILES. UPDATED

LEAKING REAR-END FLUID. REAR-END NOISE (HOWL/ROAR) DEFECT NOT COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECORDS SHOW THAT SSM17560 WAS REMOVED MYSTERIOUSLY.*JB

THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL FLASH, THEN CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON. HAD TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND/OR REPAIRED ON 3-15-06. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT, IT WILL NOT COVER ANY SAFETY DEVICES AFTER 50,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ADVISOR THEN GAVE US AN ESTIMATE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR WHICH ARE APPROX. $232.00. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT THE RIGHT HAND BUCKLE PRETENSIONER NEEDS REPLACED. IF IT DOES NOT GET REPAIRED AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON, THEN IF WE (MEANING, MY HUSBAND, SON, DAUGHTER AND MYSELF) ARE IN AN ACCIDENT REQUIRING OUR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD BE FATAL (GOD FORBID), FOR MY FAMILY AND/OR ANY OTHER FAMILY THAT MAY HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. I PERSONALLY FEEL THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL MADE ON EVERY VEHICLE. I HAD CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO SPEAK TO A REPRESENTATIVE THROUGH OUR VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT, IN HOPES TO GET SOME SATISFACTION THAT THEY WOULD PAY THIS, BUT TO NO PREVAIL I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 50,000 MILES IT COVERS NO, AND I REPEAT NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT, SO THEREFORE THEY PAY 0 DOLLARS TOWARDS ANY SAFETY MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WITH YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THIS MATTER. I JUST HOPE THAT SOME JUSTICE CAN BE MADE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH OUR VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY OTHERS AS WELL. *NM

TAILGATE HAS DEVELOPED CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE GATE. THE PLASTIC IS BONDED TO THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. APPARENTLY DISSIMILAR EXPANSION COEFFICIENTS RESULT IN CRACKING OF THE GATE. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED 3 IN THE LAST MONTH, NOT INCLUDING MINE. *NM

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MTNR. 85,000 MI. NORMAL,EXPECTED USAGE..4 WKS AGO NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT UP DOOR PANEL ABOVE/BELOW THE CTR. OF THE MTNR. LOGO. CRACK THR/THR PLASTIC PANEL.. DOOR IS USED FREQUENTLY AS ACCESS TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA..2 DAYS LATER TOOK IT TO THE FORD/MERC. DEALER, SERV. MNGR. STATES THAT HE HAS RECENTLY SEEN ANOTHER "SAME" CRACK.. CONTACTED FORD WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AS THE VEHICLE HAD >100,000MI..SAME RESULT WHEN HE CONTACTED THEM FOR MY VEHICLE, SENT IN FOR RECONSIDERATION WITH PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE/CRACK... APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, NOT SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO >MILEAGE AS MUCH AS RELATED TO FREQUENT USAGE OF THIS DOOR, AND A PLASTIC PANEL SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE SECONDARY TO DESIGN/PLACEMENT OF LOGO, CREATING A "WEAK" AREA THAT IS EXPOSED TO FREQUENT "BANGING DOWN" AS THE DOOR IS CLOSED..FORD'S ANSWER THE SECOND TIME WAS A DENIAL OF RESONSIBILITY AND A SUGGESTION THAT THE OWNERS CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY (NOT THE CORRECT OR CUSTOMER FRIENDLY RESPONSE, AS THIS WOULD ONLY RESULT IN CUSTOMER PAYING OUT A DEDUCTIBLE AND/OR BEING SUBJECTED TO INCREASED INSURANCE RATES)...I REALIZE THAT THIS IS NOT A FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH, BUT IT IS ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF HOW THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT LISTENING TO THE CUSTOMERS AND CERTAINLY NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, AS DEFECTS, FAULTS ARE IDENTIFIED SECONDARY TO LESS THAN EXCELLENT DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND MANUFACTURING..WHEN WILL THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY REALIZE THAT THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE HIGH POWERED, DRAMATIC ADVERTISEMENTS SEEN TODAU, AND WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE INTERESTED IN PRODUCING A SAFE, STURDY, WELL ENGINEERED VEHICLE...I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT FORD HAS TAKEN NO INTEREST OR RESONSIBILITY FOR SUCH AN OBVIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT....I HAVE HAD THE PANEL ORDERED AND IT WILL PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED...HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER SUCH INCIDENTS NOTED?....THANK YOU . *NM

TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY. O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THEN CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR.*AK

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LIFTGATE FELL OFF. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE LIFTGATE WAS OPENED AND IT FELL ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE LIFTGATE FELL. *AK

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - MARCH 2005 - 46,000 MILES SOLENOID WAS REPLACED COST $600 - DECEMBER 2005 - 60,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON - IN SHOP NOW TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION OR PARTS - COST OF $2,300. I HAVE FOUR PERSONAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALSO HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FORD ENGINE. WE HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS FORMS FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. SEEMS THAT A 3 YEAR OLD CAR BOUGHT NEW AND STILL NOT PAID FOR SHOULD HAVE A GOOD WORKING TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A DEFECT IN MERCURY WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR OR FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHY IS MERCURY SO INSISTENT ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY? MERCURY MUST KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. *JB

COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO MERCURY DIVISION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY: ON 12/9 I HAD TO TAKE MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER, WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT, TO FINNIN FORD IN DUBUQUE. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A "NEW" TRANSMISSION!! I CALLED FORD TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND THIS PAST MONDAY (12/12) I GOT A CALL BACK THAT FORD WAS ONLY GOING TO PICK UP $1200.00 OF A $3000.00 REPAIR BILL. LAST NIGHT I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BUT ONLY AFTER PAYING $1800.00!! THE REPLY FROM THE FORD CUSTOMER REP WAS THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT PAY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS STUCK FOR THE MAJOR PORTION OF THIS BILL. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!! BEFORE I SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER FORD/MERCURY ONE LAST CHANCE TO DO WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR A VERY LOYAL CUSTOMER (2 EXPLORERS & 2 MOUNTAINEERS). FORD/MERCURY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THIS TRANSMISSION AT NO CHARGE. A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES ON A 2002 SUV SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AND BECAUSE IT DID, THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE FIXING THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. OH, AND DID I MENTION THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS THE SECOND SUCH PROBLEM THIS WEEK. IF FORD MOTOR CO. HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM ALSO A LONG STANDING MEMBER OF CONSUMER REPORT, AND I WILL BE ADVISING THEM OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNSEL. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL BY 12/20/2005. THANK YOU, DAVE GRALL. *NM

I HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4.6L ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT BUT THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN DEC 2003 WHEN IT HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE SEIZED UP AFTER AN OIL PUMP FAILURE. *NM

HOOD SUPPORT STRUTS CAN FAIL IN COLD WEATHER WITHOUT NOTICE OR WARNING. COULD CAUSE SEVERE HEAD/HAND/ARM INJURY.*AK

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD AND STRIPPED THREADS. MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2002. *NM

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH A METAL HAND RAIL AND TWO AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. NO DEFINITIVE CAUSE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED EXCEPT. A WITNESS SAYS SHE HEARD AN ENGINE REV UP JUST PRIOR TO THE CRASH. *JB

I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AT 55,000 MILES WAS GOING OUT. THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPAIRED THE LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL SEALS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PINION SEALS IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS FULL. AFTER 424.00 THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. TOOK VEHICLE TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP AND THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS HOUR HAVING THE TRANSMISSION YANKED OUT AND REPAIRED. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD VEHICLE AND MY LAST. THERE SEEMS TO BE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE REGARDING FORD/MERCURY VEHICLES AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS LONG BEFORE NOW.*JB

THERE WAS A RECALL ON REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS ON CERTAIN FORD MOTOR COMPANY VEHICLES. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS FROM A FLAW IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD. *TS *NM ***TRANSFER TO OCC***

COMPLAINT REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT ON 2002 MOUNTAINEER. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING DAMAGES ABOUT THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE ISSUE. (INSURANCE COMPANY ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER)*JB

LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE TREADS ON OUR TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THIS CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO SWERVE BADLY INTO THE LANE NEXT TO US. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. THIS COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF A VEHICLE WAS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. SO WE PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. *JB

2002 MOUNTAINEER HEAD VALVE BROKE. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER AGREED TO A REBUILT ENGINE AND THE WORK WAS COMPLETED ON DECEMBER 29, 2005. TWELVE DAYS AFTER HAVING THE REBUILD ENGINE INSTALLED, IT CEASED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A HOSE CLAMP CAME LOOSE. *JB

1. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 4/05. 2. 8/26/05 WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING AND MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER, COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE. 3. 8/26/05 -CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE HEAD. EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR BECAUSE IT "WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MOVING LUBRICATED PART." VEHICLE WOULD BE READY BY FRIDAY, 9/2/05. 4. ORIGINAL TECHNICIAN AT SCHOOL, AND NEW TECHNICIAN WOULD BE ASSIGNED. NEW DATE FOR VEHICLE TO BE READY WEDNESDAY 9/7/05. 5. TURNED IN MY RENTAL CAR ON 9/7/05. AFTER TEST DRIVE BY DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. GOT A RIDE HOME. RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT 5:30PM ADVISING THAT THE "TIMING CHAIN PULLEY" NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PART ORDERED AND VEHICLE MAY BE READY ON 9/8/05. NO DISCUSSION ON THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THIS ADDITIONAL REPAIR. 6. GO TO HTTP://CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPARK.HTML AND YOU WILL FIND THAT SINCE JUNE 2001 THIS SPARK PLUG DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED. 7. COSTS ARE EXTENSIVE FOR THE REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $3000, AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS AND DROVE IT ONLY 2 MONTHS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AWAY WITH THE VIRGINIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. 8. NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THE VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE REPAIR? I FEEL THAT I HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON AND I ALSO FEEL THAT THE DEALERSHIP KNEW MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAN THEY REVEALED. I WOULD LIKE THE VEHICLE EXCHANGED FOR ONE OF EQUAL VALUE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY REPORTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE DELIVERED TO THEM FOR ANALYSIS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK UPDATED 12/19/05. *JB

VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN SPEED WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE. *JB

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REAR TAILGATE WINDOW SHATTERED .*MR WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT HE DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. HE PULLED OVER, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK ALL THE DOORS. AFTER OPENING AND CLOSING ALL THE DOOR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HE THEN WENT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE TAILGATE. WHEN HE RAISED THE TAILGATE WINDOW IT SPRUNG FROM HIS HANDS AND SHATTERED INTO MANY PIECES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE HINGES ON THE TAILGATE WINDOW HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO RELEASE THEN SHATTER. *NM

2002 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION.*MR THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY, BUT WOULD HANG UP. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR WITHOUT THE CONSUMER TAKING HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE ENGINE WOULD RACE TO HIGH RPM'S. *JB

BACK LIFT SHATTERED WHEN CLOSING, RESULTING IN SHATTERED GLASS IN MY HAND, INSIDE THE CAR, ON TOP OF THE CAR AND ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT NEAR OTHER CARS (EVERYWHERE) AND BRACKETS HANGING FROM THE WIRES ON THE TOP (IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE!). I DROVE CAR TO DEALER WHO AFTER INITIAL QUESTIONS AND FORD APPROVAL THEN ADVISED OF RECALL AND PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT CAR DURING REPAIRS BUT IT TOOK 6 WEEKS TO REPAIR. AMAZING WHILE THE 6 WEEK REPAIRS OF "WAITING FOR PARTS" I GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL (AUG 05). AFTER BOTHERING THE DEALER TO GET THE CAR BACK, I WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT" IS COMING ON! WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I NOT ONLY SEE THE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT COMING ON, BUT MY ELECTRIC WINDOW SWITCHES ARE NOT WORKING TO PUT THE WINDOWS UP AND DOWN (EXCEPT THE FRONT PASSENGER WORKS FINE) AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT RETRACTING CORRECTLY! THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD!! *NM

BACK LIFT SHATTERED WHEN CLOSING, RESULTING IN SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE AND BRACKETS HANGING (IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE!). I DROVE CAR TO DEALER WHO PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT CAR DURING REPAIRS BUT IT TOOK 6 WEEKS TO REPAIR. THEN WHEN I WAS CALLED TO PICK UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT" IS COMING ON! WHEN I PICKED IT UP, I NOT ONLY SEE THE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT COMING ON, BUT MY ELECTRIC WINDOW SWITCHES ARE NOT WORKING TO PUT THE WINDOWS UP AND DOWN (EXCEPT THE FRONT PASSENGER WORKS FINE) AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT RETRACTING CORRECTLY! THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD!! *NM