2002 Mercury Mountaineer Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RELACED. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OPERATIONALY. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT O/D CHECK TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WHICH WE PURCHASED SAID THE TRANS NEEDED TO BE REPLACEED AT $3200. I SENT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY CONTACTED ME AND SATED THE COULD NOT HELP.

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT). THE TWO FRONT TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 15000 MILES. *NLM

MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NEW IN LATE 2001. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A VERY HARD SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AT 57,734 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SOLENOID ASSEMBLY FOR A TOTAL BILL OF $1,438.00. MY CAR NOW HAS 90,000 MILES. ON MAY 2 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AND SUDDENLY MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WENT CRAZY AND MY CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT MY VEHICLE WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A COST OF $3,200. THIS PROBLEM POSES SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. MY VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED ON A ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BY ANOTHER CAR SINCE MY CAR COULD NOT MOVE MORE THAN 25 MPH WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND IS ONLY USED TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN AROUND TOWN. WE HAVE OWEN MANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 200,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. *TR

ENGINE HEAD GASKET KEEPS RUPTURING AND SPILLING GAS ALL OVER ENGINE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE STARTING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF FOR NO REASON. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HIT A LIGHT POLE. NLM

WHILE PARKING NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE, AND NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE MAKE A RIGHT TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM THE SIDE. UPON IMPACT, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. *AK

MY SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN BOULDER WHEN THE CAR SLID INTO THE CURBING. THIS WAS ON A ICY ROAD AND THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. AFTER STRICKING THE CURBING, THE CAR WOULD NOT TRACK SO HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT THE REAR TIE ROD END HAD BROKEN OFF AND THAT A NEW ASSEMBLY MUST BE INSTALLED. MY SON CALLED ME AND I REQUESTED THE PART BE SENT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT AN NORMAL FAILURE MODE FOR THIS PART. I ALSO NEED TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE NO MARKS ON THE TIRE AND THAT THE WHEEL WAS NOT DAMAGED IN THE EVENT. UPON RECEIPT OF THE FAILED PART IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM EXISTS. THE TIE ROD IS THREADED ON THE ROD AND THEN SWEDGED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. IN ORDER TO SWEDGE THE PART THE WALL THICKNESS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO LESS THAT 1/8" AND IN THE SWEDGING PROCESS, THE MATERIAL IS STRECHED OVER THE SHOULDER BETWEEN THE SOLID MASS OF THE TIE ROD AND THE DRILLED OUT (REDUCED WALL THICKNESS)SECTION OF THE TIE ROD THAT IS THEN THREADED AND SWEDGED IN-PLACE. THE PART ALSO HAS RUST PRESENT ON THE INSIDE OF THE BREAK WHICH IS AN INDICATION THAT A CRACK WAS PRESENT THAT WAS MOST LIKELY CREATED BY THE HIGH MECHANICAL STRESSES IN THE SWEDGING PROCESS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT ON ALL THE NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORERS/MOUNTAINEERS. THIS IS A NEW SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR 2002. A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH COULD BE CATASTROPHIC! I HAVE NOT MADE CONTACT WITH FORD AND STILL HAVE THE PART IN MY POSSESSION. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS SHOULD BE.*AK

UPON PURCHASE, A RAW GAS ODOR WAS NOTICEABLE--RETURNED TO DEALER--NO PROBLEM FOUND; RETURNED AT 4000 MILES WITH SAME PROBLEM--REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR; THIRD TIME MAJOR FUEL LEAK FROM RIGHT SIDE FUEL RAIL AT UPPER SEAL ON CYL 3 & 4 O-RING REPLACED--DEALER HAD US CALL TOW SERVICE AND THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY--GREAT CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY DUE TO POSSIBLE OF A SERIOUS FIRE FROM FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO HOT ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING STEERING WHEEL SHAKES.*AK

FORD HAS BOUGHT BACK CAR - HOPEFULLY, TOMORROW WILL BE THE TRANSITION DAY. FOR THE TRANSMISSION, CAR HAD BEEN IN 3X - TRANSMISSION KICKED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. STARTING IN 12/01, 4X (INCLUDING ONCE IN THE DEALERSHIP), THE CAR WOULD NOT START. FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM W/ CAR. RECEIVNG NEW CAR, BUT I THOUGHT THIS INFO. SHOULD BE PART OF NHTSA FILE.*AK

MOON ROOF MAKES NOISE CAN NOT TRAVEL WITH WINDOWS DOWN. *NLM

THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, JUMPED AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES. THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE REAR HATCH FELL ONTO THE CONSUMERS HEAD WHICH RESULTED IN RETINAL DETACHMENT AND BALANCE TROUBLE. *MR *PH *AK *NLM PE04045.PCO

FROM THE TIME THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE BUT THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. THE HEAD LINER ON THE CEILING FELL DOWN. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *MR THE ENGINE REMAINED SLIPPING, JUMPING, AND MAKING NOISES, THE REAR WINDOW DID NOT HOLD AND FELL ON THE CONSUMERS HEAD, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, THE FUEL ENGINE READ EMPTY AND THE LIGHT WAS ON, THE INTERIOR COAT HOOKS HAD COME OUT OF THE WALLS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUMPING, CLUNKING, AND SLIPPING. *SC DUP OF 10022342_PCO

THREE SETS OF GOODYEAR, EAGLE LS TIRES, SIZE P24570R16 (NO DOT # MENTIONED) WITH LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED MILES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE KNOTS WERE FOUND ON SIDEWALL AND TREAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY DPFE SENSOR; AIR BAG LIGHT ON, AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED; LOOSE REAR CENTER CONSOLE; VIBRATION AND POPPING NOISE OVER BUMPS, REPLACED AND BALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES, REPLACED STABILIZER BAR LINKS, RIMS WERE OUT OF ROUND; SCRUNCHING NOISE WHILE TURNING, RACK AND PINION REPLACED; EXPERIENCING WHISTLING NOISE; HARD JERK AND POPPING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING, GEAR SELECTOR SLIPPAGE; A/C VENT SQUEAKING, A/C VENT READJUSTED. *TT

A LOUD POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR PROBLEM, AND REPLACED TIE RODS. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *TT

A VIOLENT JERK IS PRESENT WHEH SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. A NOISE CAN BE HEARD ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS BEFORE JERK OCCURS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *TT

WHILE GOING UP A HILL AT 30 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF. A WHILE LATER ENGINE SHUT DOWN, VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. ON NOVEMBER 1ST, WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH, ENGINE DIED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART WHILE CAR WAS COASTING TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION, LUCKILY VEHICLE RESTARTED. CONSUMER FELT VERY LUCKY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORAMTION.*AK

WARNING IN OWNERS MANUAL STATED DO NOT MODIFY HEADLINER ON VEHICLE WITH SIDE AIR BAGS, ALSO DEALER PUT SUNROOF IN VEHICLE FROM WHICH HEADLINER HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED WITH NO REGARD FOR WARNING IN OWNERS MANUAL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER OR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE.*AK *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND SMELLED GASOLINE COMING THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER'S VENTS. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS, AND VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE. *AK

I PURCHASED 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ON 08/31/01 AND IN LESS THAN A MONTH THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 09/26/01 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARKING THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING FUEL AND EMPTYED THE TANK IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS THAT DAY AND O-RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/03/01 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, AND THIS TIME SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED ONE DAY LATER, AND THE REPAIRS MADE WERE TO REPLACE THE INJECTOR. THE THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/17/01 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WAIT AT A SIGNAL LIGHT. THE SMELL OF FUEL CAME IN THERE THE A/C VENT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS THAT DAY AND IS STILL IN FOR REPAIRS SINCE 10/17/01. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE MADE THAT KNOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTER. I HAVE REQUESTED A VEHICLE BUY BACK AND THE ONLY ANSWER I GET IS TO WAIT FOR MORE REPAIRS. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE BY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. THANK YOU VIRGIA RHYMES

ENGINE STALLS TRAVELLING AT 35 MILES/HR. HAS HAPPENED TWICE. ELECTRICAL POWER ON, JUST ENGINE TURNS OFF.

DRIVING ON A RAINY AFTERNOON TO MY SONS HOUSE IN RIDGEWOOD, NJ. I RAN OVER A SMALL ROCK WHICH PUNCTURED MY REAR TIRE. THE TIRE HAD ONLY 3000 MILES ON IT AND COULD NOT BE FIXED, IT HAD A 2" TEAR IN IT. I FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO A NEW TIRE AND IS UNSAFE. EAGLE LS M+S P245/70R16

SERVICE BULLETIN 14966 STATES DO NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS IN AN EFFORT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE - VEHICLE HAS BEEN IDLE AT OFFICE SINCE RETURNED FROM DEALER ON JULY 24,2001 - FORD MOTOR CONTINUES TO SELL THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM - FORD REGIONAL SERVICE MAMAGER CONTACTED ME ON TWO OCCASIONS AND WAS TO GET BACK BY AUGUST 7, 2001 BUT HAS NOT DONE SO. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED AS I FEEL THAT WHERE A DRIVE TRAIN IS INVOLVED, IT COULD BE DANGEROUS - I HAVE ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPLACE AS IT HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 21 DAYS.*AK

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND MAKING A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLE IDLES IN NEUTRAL. THEN, JUMPS INTO DRIVE. WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AT 700 MILES RADIATOR SHOULD NOT NEED REPLACING.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON. SHE PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF ENGINE, AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE WITH REMOTE, KEY IN IGNITION. CONSUMER NOTICED SIDE DOORS CLOSED, AND WALKED TO REAR OF VEHICLE AND PUSHED REMOTE TO RELEASE LIFTGATE. INSTANTLY, WINDOW EXPLODED, A METAL PIECE ON BOTTOM OF TAILGATE FELL OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER SINCE THAT DAY, STILL TRYING TO RID VEHICLE OF GLASS. CANNOT GIVE CONSUMER A REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER IS CONSIDERING LEMON LAW.*AK PURCHASED VEH. 04/01 AND WITHIN 1000 MILES (05/01), ATTEMPTING TO OPEN GLASS, GLASS SHATTERED. WILL GET VIN AND DOB_06142004_PCO PE04045.PCO

WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFICE AT 45MPH WHEN HOOD FLEW UP ABOUT 6 INCHES. DID NOT HIT WINDSHIELD DUE TO SECONDARY LATCH CATCHING IT. SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED BEFORE IN JULY. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 500 MILES.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A ROAD LESS THAN 20MPH AND APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN SHE WAS AT BOTTOM OF HILL. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER LEFT HER REAR BACK HATCH OPEN, AND CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR. THE HATCH GLASS EXPLODED UPON IMPACT OF THE GARAGE DOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THAT "THE GLASS IN UNSAFE , CAUSE IF THE GLASS HAD IMPLODE IN AN ACCIDENT, IT COULD OF CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS ORIG PART OF LIFTGATE INVEST, BUT LATER DET. TO BE NOT RELATED TO INVESTIGATION_PCO

CUSTOMER HAS CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY OF VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A THRID PARTY DEALER MODIFYING AND INSTALLING A MOON ROOF IN THE INTERIOR HEADLINER OF VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH OWNERS MANUAL WARNS AGAINST ANY MODIFICATIONS OF HEADLINER WHEN VEHICLE HAS SIDE AIR BARS INSTALLED. *JG

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, BATTERY VOLTAGE GAUGE AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE DO NOT GIVE ACCURATE READINGS OF THE RESPECTIVE ENGINE ACTIVITIES.*YH

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BEEN IN COLISION AND LOSING TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. TS

THE EXHAUST PIPE HAD SOME WAY BENT WHICH CAUSED THE PIPE TO GET CLOSE TO THE REAR FENDER. THE REAR FENDER WAS MADE OF SOME SORT OF PLASTIC WHICH MELTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE OWNER WAS TOLD "THE ONLY WAY THAT THE PIPE COULD HAVE BEEN DISFIGURED IF YOU RAN OVER A SPEED BUMP". THE OWNER DOES NOT RECALL DOING THAT OR OVER LOADING THE TRUCK. TS RECONDITIONED BUMPER, ABSORBER, REFLECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A STRONG VIBRATION ON THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND ALSO ON THE STEERING WHEEL.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY FIRST STATED THAT THERE WERE THE TIRES THEN ALSO THE SHOCKS ON THE BACK WERE CAHNGED AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PH

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT SURGED BACKWARDS CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. IT WAS SERVICED BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED IT NEEDED A NEW PART TO MAKE THE BRAKES EFFECTIVE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS............................................ *JB