2004 Mercury Mountaineer Complaint Log

IN JULY 2008 FILED MY FIRST COMPLAINT WHEN THE ENTIRE BACK LIFT GATE AND WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. INSURANCE REPAIRED IT, I PAID A 200.00 DEDUCTIBLE. AGAIN THE MEDALLION HAS CRACKED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS THE START OF ANOTHER LIFT GATE BLOW OUT/GLASS ALL OVER, ETD. *TR

I OWN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE HINGES HOLDING THE REAR WINSDHIELD IN PLACE BROKE AND MY WINDSHIELD FELL OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD EXPLORER FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT FOR THE MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. SINCE THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING ON THE REPAIRS AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. *DT

MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE MADE A ROARING SOUND. MY FOOT NEVER LEFT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I COULD NOT STOP IT. I JUMPED THE CURB, WENT OVER A GRASSY AREA, OVER THE SIDEWALK AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL I HIT A CONCRETE BUILDING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MILES PER HOUR. IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND TO THE CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE HAD THE BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED AND MY AUTO INSURANCE HAS PAID OVER $3,000 FOR THAT. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO OUR NEAREST FORD DEALER WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SHOWED AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION. THEY SAID THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACING. THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT GIVE US A PRINT-OUT AND SAID HE COULDN'T FIND IT WHEN WE CHECKED BACK LATER. WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OUR INSURANCE WOULD NOT. THEY ALSO WILL NOT PAY FOR IT, BUT SENT US TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE AIRBAGS. AFTER EXPLAINING MY ORDEAL TO THE TECHNICIAN, HE AGREED TO ALSO CHECK THE THROTTLE BODY. HE SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG OR THE THROTTLE BODY! HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRST DEALER COULD HAVE WIPED IT FROM THE MEMORY OF THE COMPUTER. AFTER MY HUSBAND SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY, SHE SAID SHE WOULD REQUEST THAT THE DEALER WHO RAN THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC TEST SEND US A COPY OF THE PRINT-OUT THAT HE COULDN'T FIND FOR US. THE CAR IS GOING BACK INTO THE SHOP TOMORROW AT A LOCAL PRIVATE MECHANIC (NOT A FORD DEALER TECHNICIAN) AND WE WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE. AS OF TODAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED OTHER THAN THE BODY DAMAGE. *TR

REAR BACK PANEL CRACKED. WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 2 DAYS, TEMP WAS -15F LOW/22F HIGH. FINE ONE DAY, CRACKED REAR PANEL (AROUND THE REAR HATCH WINDOW). DEALER STATES NO RECALL, SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. $500 TO FIX. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SOMETIMES JERK REALLY HARD WHEN PUT IN REVERSE GEAR. TWICE, IT JERKED SO HARD, I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, CAUSE IT WAS BACKING BACK FAST. REALLY SCARED ME. OTHER TIMES, IT JERKS HARD, BUT STAYS PUT UNTIL I PRESS THE GAS. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, THERE IS NO WARNING. TOOK TRUCK TO MERCURY DEALER ONCE, OVER A YEAR AGO. SAID THEY CHECKED, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. VEHICLE IS PAID FOR. NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE LAST JERK OCCURRED. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55MPH IN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND SUDDENLY BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED...NO ACCIDENT, NO IMPACT, NO POTHOLES, NO VEERING OFF THE ROAD...JUST CRUISING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE ALMOST WRECKED. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS WE HAVE TO PAY $80 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS TEST TO DETERMINE WHY THIS HAPPENED AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT LIGHT UP AHEAD OF TIME TO WARN US IF THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OR PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SENSORS OR MODULE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER SAYS THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY FIND, FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM (WHICH WE CAN'T AFFORD) AND NOW WE HAVE NO WORKING AIRBAGS AT ALL. *TR

HERE IS THE E-MAIL I SENT TO FORD REGARDING WHAT IS GOING ON. : MY NAME IS LEANNE FREEMAN I OWN A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER,I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION TROUBLE WITH THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS TROUBLE I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND WAS ABLE TO FIND 25,000 PAGES OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE MANY OF WHICH HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH FORD. I AM CONCERNED THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. WHY HAVE THEY NOT DONE SOME KIND OF RECALL I COULD SEE IF THIS PROBLEM HAD ONLY HAPPENED TO A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE BUT THERE IS OVER 25,000 PAGES WITH EACH PAGE HAVING OVER 50 POST PER PAGE OF OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM ???? I HAVE SAVED ALL THE INFO FROM ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO FORWARD IT TO YOU I WILL BE HAPPY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME LEANNE FREEMAN HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2002/TRANSMISSION/OD_LIGHT_CAME_ON.SHTML HTTP://WIKI.ANSWERS.COM/Q/WHY_WOULD_THE_TRANSMISSION_ON_A_MERCURY_MOUNTAINEER_KEEP_SHIFTING_HARD HTTP://WWW.FORD-PROBLEMS.COM/EXPLORER-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS.HTM HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F1C1B35 HTTP://WWW.GOOGLE.COM/SEARCH?HL=EN&EI=JSUKS6K0ENS0TGEIG4JJBW&SA=X&OI=SPELL&RESNUM=1&CT=RESULT&CD=1&VED=0CDYQBSGA&Q=TRANSMISSION+PROBLEMS+ON+MERCURY+MOUNTAINEER&SPELL=1 HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/R65436/COMMENTS/PAGE-2/ HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/R65436/COMMENTS/ HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0FF573. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ACCELERATION. MANEUVERED VEHICLE TO NEARBY PARKING LOT, WAITED, AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. NO PROBLEM IN RESTARTING VEHICLE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE OFF. USED CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO INCIDENT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM; UNABLE TO RE-CREATE FOR FORD DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY FORD DEALER IN WINTER 2009. *TR

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS - THE LEFT HINGE ON THE LIFTGATE ON MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FRACTURED, CAUSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE TO SWING OUT. THE RIGHT HINGE HELD BUT SHOWS CORROSION. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V442000 FOR MODEL YEARS 2002 - 2003. THE LIFTGATE IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACE THE PARTS. *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE AT 35,000 MILES. REPLACED BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS, BEARINGS, SEALS, CV BOOTS, AND COMPLETE DIFFERENTIAL WITH USED PARTS PER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. *TR

THE GLASS IN THE LIFT REAR GATE FELL OUT INTO MY SON'S HAND. THANK GOD, HE DID NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AND HAVE THE HINGES REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $100 BECAUSE I HAD A WARRANTY. PREVIOUS INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THE CAR MANUFACTURES NEED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER DESIGN. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER-THE REAR HATCH HINGE BROKE. LOOKS LIKE IT IS CORRODED. HAVE NOT FOUND OUT HOW MUCH THIS COSTS BECAUSE OF LACK OF MONEY. HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE AND EVEN A RECALLS FOR THE YEAR BEFORE THIS FOR THE SAME THING. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING RECALLED? I AM A 5FT 2 INCH WOMAN, AND I HAD TO CATCH THIS WHEN IT FELL OFF. IT COULD HAVE BROKEN MY LEGS. *TR

DURING THE LATER PART OF JUNE 2008, I PURCHASED A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM CARMAX AT THE CHICAGO RIDGE LOCATION IN ILLINOIS WHICH HAD 28,579 MILES. ACCORDING TO THE CARFAX REPORT AND SALES PERSON, THIS VEHICLE HAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE 100 POINT INSPECTION, AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION THIS CAR HAD NO MAJOR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECTS. WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS I NOTICED A SLIGHT DELAY BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS BEGAN TO MANIFEST, SO NATURALLY, I TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BACK TO CARMAX. SINCE THE PROBLEM EXCEEDED THEIR ABILITY TO FIX IT, I WAS INSTRUCTED BY CARMAX TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS YOUR ORGANIZATION, FORD. ON JULY 1ST 2008 A FORD MECHANIC AT THE 95TH WESTERN LOCATION REPORTED THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED THE TRUCK, REPLACED VIBRATION DAMPER, AND WORKED ON THE PULLEY-CRANKSHAFT. THE DELAY CEASED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED IN AN EVEN GREATER CAPACITY THAN BEFORE AS NOW THE GEARS BETWEEN THE FORWARD AND REVERSE PROCEEDED TO PRODUCE A KICK BACK MOTION. I DECIDED TO GET A SECOND WRITTEN MECHANICAL OPINION FROM MEINEKE TRANSMISSION AND MUFFLER ON 107TH WESTERN, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. SINCE THE 100 POINT INSPECTION ON THE CARFAX DID NOT INDICATE SUCH, AS I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT CARMAX WOULD NOT HAVE SOLD ME THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION, I DECIDED TO GET YET ANOTHER WRITTEN OPINION. ONCE AGAIN, BY ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT LUCHA'S AUTO REPAIR IN SOUTH CHICAGO, I WAS TOLD THAT NOT ONLY WAS THE TRANSMISSION BAD BUT THAT IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN THAT WAY UPON MY ORIGINAL PURCHASE AS THE YEAR OF THE CAR (2004) IS NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE DEGREE OF DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AS THE CAR IS LESS THAN SIX YEARS OLD. LET ME ALSO STATE THAT THE CAR IS ALSO UNDER 50,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR, IT SUDDENLY CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

REAR LIFT GATE ON 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WOULD NOT CLOSE. NOTICED HINGE ATTACHMENT FOR GLASS LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS FALLING OFF. GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE AND IS DAMAGED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT'S TWO YEAR OLD SON GRABBED THE KEY AND PLACED IT IN THE IGNITION. HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE NEVER IGNITED. THE CHILD THEN PROCEEDED TO PLACE THE SHIFTER IN EITHER NEUTRAL OR DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET DOWN A HILL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRUSH-HOG AND A HONDA VEHICLE BEFORE FINALLY COMING TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CHILD SUSTAINED A CONTUSION AND LACERATIONS TO HIS HEAD, CHEST, AND LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY AT A SALVAGE YARD. THE POLICE STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED, THE GEARS WERE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED, WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

I STARTED MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE OTHER DAY, AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, LIKE A LAWN MOWER, RIGHT WHEN IT STARTED. I SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO BRING ME TO THE FORD DEALER. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENGINE SPAT OUT A SPARK PLUG. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUV'S AND PICK-UPS. THE TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS TO PLUG THE SOCKET BECAUSE THE THREADS WORE OUT. HOWEVER THE SPARK PLUG WAS FACTORY-INSTALLED AND THE ISSUE IS DEFINITELY A FORD PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME, IT COULD BE EITHER LEAD TO A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR, OR BOTH. *TR

MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION HAD SLIPPED ONCE AND TOOK IT IN AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED TO A MERCURY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND THEY CHANGED FLUID AND FILTER NOW IT DON'T HAVE REVERSE OR FORWARD GEARS UNLESS I SHIFT IT MANUALLY THE DEALER SAID IF THEY CHANGE FLUID IT WILL GET WORSE AND IT DID SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHY WASN'T A RECALL GIVEN FOR THIS VEHICLES TRANSMISSION PLUS THERE IS NO DIP STICK ON THE TRANSMISSION TO CHECK THE FLUID NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 3500 DOLLARS AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT A CAR COMPANY CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL OF HER VEHICLE. THE CRACK CURVES AROUND THE MERCURY LOGO LOCATED ON THE REAR PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER 20% OFF THE REPAIR SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK INTO REVERSE AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT DURING ONE OF THE OCCURRENCES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS REPLACED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 10/4/11 *CN UPDATED 10/21/11

OUR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2008 AT DEALERSHIP NEARBY. WE WERE DRIVING HOME AND THERE WAS A GRINDING AND POPPING SOUND IN THE REAREND OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ME , MY HUSBAND, 3 MTH OLD AND 2 YR OLD OCCUPYING THE CAR. MY HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND STATED TO GET THE BABIES OUT OF THE CAR IN A HURRY IT WAS ON FIRE. WE GOT THE BABIES OUT AND RAN IN TO CALL 911 AND THE FIRE DEPT. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED AND TOOK TO A LOCAL GARAGE AT THAT TIME I CONTACTED MY AUTO INSURANCE TO SEE IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE COVERED. THEY SENT AN AUTO ADJUSTER OUT TO LOOK AT IT. OUR INSURANCE DID HELP TO REPAIR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD GOT SO HOT IT EXPLODED CAUSING THE FIRE. THEN AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS AGAIN AT THAT TIME I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY EXPLAINED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE CAR BUT IF I TOOK TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC THEY MAY CONSIDER REPAIRING. SO I DID AND THE WHOLE TRANSFER CASE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND FORD IS NOT PAYING FOR THE COST. I JUST DON'T WANT THIS EXPERIENCE TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE AND TO RISK THEIR LIVES JUST DRIVING THIS CAR AS A RESULT TO A FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK. I DON'T THINK THIS CAR IS SAFE FOR US TO DRIVE I ALWAYS HAVE THAT FEAR IN MY MIND AND WORRYING ABOUT MY BABIES. NOW I HAVE THIS NEW PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND ONE PARTICULAR COMPANY THAT HAS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. AN INSPECTOR FROM THE INSURANCE AGENCY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTED THE CONTROL RESTRAINT MODULE FROM THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/13/09.*LJ THE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPDATED 11/16/09

CRACK APPEARED IN BODY OF VEHICLE IN THE BACK ABOVE AND AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM. IT CONTRACTS AND EXPANDS DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE. THERE WAS NO CRASH, IMPACT OR ANYTHING THAT CAUSED THIS FAILURE. IT IS A DEFECT IN THE BODY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ARE THE INABILITY TO USE THE HATCH, THE REPAIR BILL AND THE DEPRECIATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR LIFT GATE [ NOT STAYING CLOSE, OPENS ANYTIME, IT WANTS TO BY ITSELF. MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ERRATIC SHIFTING, HARD SHIFTING UP AND DOWN SHIFTING AND IN AND OUT SHIFTING ON REVERSE FROM PARK TO REVERSE PULLS VERY HARD. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I TOLD THEM THEY LOOKED AT LIKE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS SAYING THEY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MECHANIC TO CHECK IT AND SAID IT WAS GOOD BUT IT WASN'T. I HAVE 84,000 MILES ON IT NEVER PULL A TRAILER WITH IT I'VE MADE 38 PAYMENTS ON IT. WHY DOES FORD PUTS A PRODUCT LIKE THAT AND ASKS ALOT OF MONEY FOR THE CAR THAT CAN'T EVEN MAKE TO 100,000 MILES THEY SHOULD BE OUT OF ACT. HOPE FORD WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS CARS. *TR

CRACK ON REAR HATCH FROM TOP OF HATCH DOWN AND AROUND THE EMBLEM (UNDER THE REAR WINDOW). VEHICLE IS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 75K MILES. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 64,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE NOISES, ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. SHOP SAID SOME GROVE IN SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD IT FIXED FOR $3,000. LATER FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT AT 10,000 MILES BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. ALSO HAD A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR WITH 54,000 ON IT AND HAD TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, SHOP SAID THERE WAS SOME GROVE ON SOME PART IN THE TRANSMISSION. VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH LOW MILES. *TR

MY WIFE WAS CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW PORTION OF THE REAR HATCH AND THE 2 HINGES SNAPPED OFF AND THE WHOLE WINDOW FELL DOWN TO THE BUMPER SHE HAD TO GET A CHAIR TO PUT UNDER IT SO IT DIDN'T CRASH TO THE FLOOR ALL THIS BY HERSELF TRYING TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL SHE COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE I THINK WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS THE STRUTS ARE BAD AND THEY ARE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I NOTICED WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT JERKS REAL HARD INTO GEAR. ALSO COMING TO A STOP AND WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WILL JERK. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER PREMIER, 45,049 MILES - REAR LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE RIGHT IN HALF & LIFTGATE FELL WHILE VEHICLE OWNER REACHING FOR BAG IN CARGO AREA. INJURIES TO BACK OF HEAD, NECK, RIGHT SHOULDER, ELBOW, WRIST, THORACIC SPINE, RIGHT SCAPULA, RIGHT HIP, KNEE & ANKLE. DEALER (WEST HERR) REMOVED & REPLACED BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES & REASSEMBLED LIFTGATE GLASS. *TR

WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE MY OFFICE DOOR THE BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW AND LIFTGATE BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAD THE CHILDREN BEEN SEATED IN THE 3RD SEAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. FORD MOTOR CO REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, THE INSURANCE COMPANY HANDLES IT AS A COMP CLAIM AND I WAS OUT $250. AND WITHOUT AN ANSWER AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED AND WOULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN!?? *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REAR WINDOW PANEL CRACKED AND HINGES WILL NOT STAY TIGHT. FORD DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT FORD WILL NOT REPAIR IF VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS 53,000 MILES BUT I HAD DEALER CHECK VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS ADJUSTING. *TR

I JUST PURCHASE A USED 2004 MERCURY MTNR...EVERYTIME I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL THE CARS LIGHTS COME ON AND GAUGES AND THE VEHICLES TURNS OFF I HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT RESTARTS. *TR

ON AUGUST 29, 2008, AT ABOUT 9:30 P.M., I WAS GOING HOME FROM A VACATION. I WAS GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR AND THE VEHICLE POWER COMPLETELY STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY SAFELY AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE TO ITS OPTIMAL I.E. OIL,TIRES. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY THIS AGENCY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR

SPEED CONTROL; MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 2004. INTERMITTENT FUNCTION. SOMETIMES SHOULD NOT TURN OFF OR ON. *TR

THE FAILURE IS FOR A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE FAILURE IS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE THAT OCCURS RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE MERCURY EMBLEM OR LOGO ON THE BACK OF THE TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE. THIS CRACK HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES ON ONLINE FORUMS AND TO ME SEEMS LIKE A DEFICIENCY IN THE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THE LIFT GATE OR TAILGATE. (I.E. - THE LOGO IS SO BIG AND THE MATERIAL AROUND THE LOGO EMBLEM SO THIN THAT IT CRACKS UNDER PRESSURE AND CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE) I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE FORD EXPLORER HAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT TYPE OF PROBLEM, YET MERCURY HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE INCURRED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM HAVE BEEN AROUND THE SAME YEARS (2004-2006 MODELS - OR AT LEAST THE VEHICLES THAT I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OCCUR IN.) 1. THE EVENTS THAT HAVE LED UP TO THIS FAILURE INCLUDES: MERCURY AND FORD ARE SOLELY TO BLAME FOR PRODUCING A FAULTY TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE ON THESE VEHICLES AND SHOULD RECALL THEM. THE CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE ALONG WITH AVERAGE USAGE OF SHUTTING OR CLOSING THE TAILGATE WOULD CAUSE A VIBRATION TO PROMOTE THE TAILGATE TO CRACK. I NOTICED MY FAILURE OR CRACK IN MID-AUGUST OF 2008, I'VE OWNED MY VEHICLE SINCE 2004 BUT IT HAS BEEN GARAGED ALL OF THOSE YEARS EXCEPT FOR LAST YEAR, WHICH COULD EXPLAIN WHY IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR (CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE MORE SEVERE). 2. I HAVE NOTED HOW THE FAILURE OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS AESTHETICALLY NON-APPEALING, AND THIS COULD LEAD TO A LARGER CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE THAT COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS CRACK (WHICH IS NOT MINOR, 3 - 5 INCHES USUALLY) COULD ALSO REDUCE OR LEAD TO COMPROMISING THE VEHICLES STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND REDUCE CRASH TEST RATINGS. THIS IS A BIG CONCERN FOR YOUR SAFETY. 3. I PERSONALLY SPENT OVER $400 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE. I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AND MERCURY SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR

FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, FORD PN F00B13480-BA THIS SWITCH FAILED BECAUSE THE BI-METAL SWITCH CONTACT FRACTURED FROM METAL FATIGUE, WHICH CAUSED THE SWITCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE: WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKES LIGHTS TO NOT FUNCTION AS WELL AS PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR TO PROPERLY ENGAGE. AND IN ADDITION TO NOTING THE INTERNAL FAILURE INSIDE THE SWITCH THE CONTACT POINTS INSIDE APPEAR TO BE PITTED. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS ONLY 44,700. THIS SWITCH DESIGN APPEARS TO BE SHARED WITH OTHER FORD AND MERCURY PRODUCTS, HOWEVER IT IS INTERESTING THAT THERE ARE NO KNOWN SOURCES IN THE AFTER MARKET; FORD OEM ONLY ! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHUT THE LIFTGATE GLASS, THE HINGES FRACTURED AND ALLOWED THE GLASS TO FALL. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS NEARLY INJURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS REFERENCED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS, WHICH EXCEEDED $355. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,600.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

I ACTUALLY MISSED TWO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED IN 2004. MY DEALER WHICH IS JOHNSON BROTHERS FORD/MERCURY ON IH 35 TEMPLE, TEXAS 76501. MY WIFE WAS UNLOADING TRUCK AND THE LIFTGATE PLUNGED DOWN ON HER WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. SHE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FROM INCIDENT. THE YEAR BEFORE OUR TAILGATE STARTED CRACKING IN 2006 . THE DEALER JOHNSON BROTHERS NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE TAILGATE RECALL OR THE RECALL #RQ8003 FOR THE LIFTGATE ISSUE IN 2008. THIS DEALER HAS BEEN THE WORST IVE SEEN SINCE BUYING MY FIRST NEW OR USED VEHICLE IN AMERICA. I ,[XXX], HAVE ONLY RECEIVED HELP CONCERNING OIL CHANGES , AND TIRE CHECKS SINCE 2004. POOR SERVICE CENTER FOR CUSTOMERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)*TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN WAS NEVER CHANGED AND THE DEALER CONTINUED TO TELL THE CONSUMER, ALL THE FLUIDS WERE FINE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE IN DRIVE MODE.

MY LIFT GATE GLASS HINGES HAVE STARTED TO FAIL, THE PIN HOLDING THE TOP AND BOTTOM PART OF THE HINGES TOGETHER HAVE COME OUT ON ONE SIDE OF BOTH HINGES CAUSING THEM TO TURN AND START LETTING THE OTHER SIDE COME OUT. EVENTUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS THE GLASS WILL FALL OUT ALL TOGETHER. BECAUSE OF THIS THE LATCH DOES NOT LINE UP RIGHT AND HAS CAUSE THE EXTERIOR TRIM MOLDING TO COMPLETELY CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. I HAVE ORDERED THE HINGES TO BE REPLACED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR MYSELF BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS USED. OFTENTIMES IT SEEM RELATED TO GOING DOWNHILL OR LOWER RPMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO SEPARATE 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. ONE HAD A V-6 AND THE OTHER HAS A V-8. BOTH WERE THE PREMIERE EDITION. *TR

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLS WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS USED. OFTENTIMES IT SEEM RELATED TO GOING DOWNHILL OR LOWER RPMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON TWO SEPARATE 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. ONE HAD A V-6 AND THE OTHER HAS A V-8. BOTH WERE THE PREMIERE EDITION. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND RECENTLY WITHIN THIS MONTH NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE AND THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT RISE FULLY. *TR

IN APRIL 2008 OUR TRANSMISSION WENT. IT WAS REBUILT WITH ALL FORD PARTS. IT'S HAS GONE AGAIN IN JULY 2012. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND YEAR AND MODEL . THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!! I WANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL 3 TRANSMISSIONS! *TR

TRANSMISSION DELAY AND THEN SLAMMING INTO GEAR, SOMETIMES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. *TR

I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE BACK LIFTGATE ON MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. IN 2008, WITH APPROX 45K MILES ON IT, A CRACK DEVELOPED ABOVE AND BELOW THE EMBLEM ON THE LIFTGATE (LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS I'VE NOTICED ON THIS WEBSITE). THE DEALER DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT BUT SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST ME $500 FOR A NEW LIFTGATE! I DECLINED AT THAT TIME. MORE RECENTLY, THE BACK WINDOW HINGES BROKE AND MY WIFE WAS THERE TO CATCH IT. SHE SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR IT AND, ONCE AGAIN THEY WANTED TO SELL A NEW HATCH TO US FOR OVER $1000 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT FOR $183 AND GOT THE NEW HINGES DIRECTLY FROM THE MERCURY DEALER WE SPOKE TO EARLIER. THESE ITEMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND PEOPLE REIMBURSED FOR THEIR EXPENSES RELATING TO GETTING THEM FIXED ON THEIR OWN. I CANNOT BRING MYSELF TO BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT IF THEY DON'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS. *TR

VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES. FOR THE LAST 5,000 MILES OR SO, THE CAR WILL HAVE A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE AND TURN OFF. WE HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK, AND THEN START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED FIVE OR SIX TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR END (REAR DIFFERENTIAL) OF VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE FOR FREE. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, OVER MANY MODEL YEARS. *TR

DRIVER SETS CRUISE CONTROL AT 35MPH VEHICLE SPEED IS AT 35MPH FOR ABOUT 90 SECS. SUDDENLY VEHICLE'S WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. (SERVICE ENGINE SOON. BATTERY ALERT. LOW OIL PRESSURE ALERT , AND TEMP. ALERT ) VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER. NO BRAKES, STEERING LOCKS UP, NO POWER. DRIVER (BY THE GRACE OF GOD) BRINGS VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD RIGHT BEFORE A T IN THE ROAD. VEHICLES AT THE INTERSECTION CAN BE TRAVELING AT 45MPH. THERE WAS A SCHOOL BUS APPROACHING AS WELL. DRIVER TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS. DRIVER PHONES HUSBAND. HE HAD OUR 15 YEAR OLD SON (WHO WAS WITH ME) CHECK BELTS. THEY WERE INTACT. HE THEN ASKED ME IF I HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN REMEMBERED THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND SEVERAL TIMES WHEN WE HAD FIRST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN HE HAS NOT SET THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR LESS THAN 40MPH. OBVIOUSLY I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT. I GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE ENGINE AND ALL WAS WELL. THIS MORNING, I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER RECALLED THAT THEY HAD SERVICED A FORD EXPLORER ONE OTHER TIME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECORD OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL. I TOLD HIM THAT I WANTED TO MAKE A REPORT, AS I KNEW THAT THE SITUATION YESTERDAY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I HAD LOST POWER ANY CLOSER TO THAT INTERSECTION. HE TOLD ME TO MAKE A REPORT HERE. (BY THE WAY, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OEM MEANS CONCERNING THE COMPONENT I LISTED. I EVEN TRIED TO LOOK IT UP IN TMY OWNERS' MANUAL AND ON THE HELP PORTION OF YOUR WEBSITE. I JUST LEFT IT MARKED "NO." ). *TR

WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE DIED: ALL GAUGE LIGHTS CAME ON (BATTERY, ENGINE, ETC.) ENGINE DIED, NO POWER STEERING, ETC. HAD TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL AND RESTART. THIS PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF EVER TIME I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. AND, I SEE THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL THAT HAVE POSTED THE SAME COMPLAINT. PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN JANUARY OF 2008 HOWEVER CONTINUES TODAY. FORTUNATELY WHEN THE ENGINE HAS DIED EVERY TIME I HAVE USED THE SPEED CONTROL IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.... YET! *TR