2002 Mercury Mountaineer Body & Structure Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LIFT GATE AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT'S SON WENT TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE AND GLASS SHATTERED. THE CONTACT HIRED A GLASS REPAIRMEN TO FIX THE WINDOW FOR $250.00. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01I010000 (VISIBILITY) WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE REAR HATCH HINGE BROKE AS I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE HATCH. THE HATCH THEN SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HEAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT INJURED - A LITTLE DAZED. MY LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE HINGE FOR $230. I CONTACTED FORD HQ SERVICE BUT THEY REFUSED ANY CONCESSION. I HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT IN JANUARY 2005, AND FORD REPLACED THE HINGE AT NO COST UNDER RECALL 04S20. OBVIOUSLY, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT WAS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE EMBLEM AND BEGAN TO GET BIGGER DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER. THE LIFT GATE WAS REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THE CRACK WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

HIT THE REMOTE CONTROL BUTTON TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH FOR THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE REAR HATCH OPENED ONLY HALFWAY AUTOMATICALLY, AS IT IS SUPPOSE TO OPEN FURTHER I PUSHED IT UP, WITHOUT UNUSUAL FORCE AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, AND THE ENCASEMENT THAT HELD IT HIT ME IN THE HEAD RATHER HARD. IT IS NOW WITHOUT A WINDOW. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED IN 2004 WHEN, DURING A COLD SNAP HERE IN NY IT SPIDERED INTO A CRACK BUT DID NOT SHATTER. WHEN MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY ARGUED AT FIRST, BUT THEN THE PHONE STARTED TO RING AND THEY DECIDED IT WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND DESIGN "FLAW". *TR

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS RECALL CAMPAIGN (04V442000) ISSUED FOR THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS A CRACK GOING FROM THE GLASS ALL THE WAY DOWN PAST THE MOUNTAINEER EMBLEM ON THE BACK HATCH OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS HEARD OF REAR WINDOWS EXPLODING ON THE FORD VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THINKS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52489 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53000.

MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE REAR BACK PANEL. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR MY BACK PANEL CRACKED AT 76,000 MILES. OUT OF POCKET COST TO ME TO REPLACE THIS PANEL $500. NOW 2 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK IN THAT PANEL AND DAYS LATER THE ENTIRE PANEL FLEW OFF MY CAR AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE SHOCK OF THE DRIVER IN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. FORD/MERCURY SHOULD MAN UP AND RECALL THESE. FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART. EVERYWHERE I GO I SEE MOUNTAINEERS AND EXPLORERS WITH CRACKED, HALF GONE OR COMPLETELY GONE REAR BACK PANELS. RIDICULOUS. *TR

JUST UNDER THE REAR WINDOW THE BACK PANEL CRACKED IN THE COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN EXITING THE GARAGE INTO THE WEATHER IT JUST CRACKED JUST UNDER THE MOUNTAINEER EMBLEM ALL THE WAY DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL AND NOW THE BACK REAR WINDOW RATTLES. *TR

REAR TAILGATE LATCH BRAKES ACROSS THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH ALL FORD EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A BAD DESIGN FROM FORD MOTOR CO. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND IT'S THEIR DESIGN AND IT ALSO CAN REPRESENT AN INJURY TO SOMEONE IF A PIECE WAS TO FALL OFF AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. *TR

WHEN APPROACHING MY VEHICLE (2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER) FROM BEHIND, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE PANEL, BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND EXTENDING TO THE HANDLE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS OCCURRED IN FORD-MANUFACTURED SUVS, INCLUDING THE MOUNTAINEER AND EXPLORER. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE PANEL WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED, THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO A PERSON WHO TOLD ME THAT FORD COULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT, I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF ITS VEHICLES AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, THEN IT SHOULD PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER WITH A SATISFACTORY REMEDY. *TR

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TAILGATE DEVELOPED A CRACK BETWEEN THE EMBLEM AND THE REAR GLASS LIFT. SINCE THIS CRACK HAS DEVELOPED, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT HAS STAYED ON CONSISTENTLY, CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO STAY ON, DRAINING THE BATTERY, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NOTICED THE SAME CRACK IN ALMOST EVERY FORD EXPLORER THAT I SEE. I HAVE NOT YET ATTEMPTED A REPAIR BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH WINDOW, IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HATCH HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,332. UPDATED 11/07/08 *BF THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL #04V442000 BUT WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR WINDOW BRACKETS BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DETAILING HER VEHICLE, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON HER WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. SHE WAS ADVISED TO REPORT THE FAILURE TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500.

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

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

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.

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

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

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