2003 Mercury Mountaineer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· STRUCTURE

  RECALL REPAIR INEFFECTIVE AND AGGRAVATED INITIAL PROBLEM - "CURE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE." REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED. FOLLOWING DEALER REPAIR FOR RECALL 04S29, OUR REAR WINDOW SHATTERED EXPLOSIVELY WITHIN 48 HOURS. THIS WAS THE TYPE OF ISSUE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT. INCIDENT OCCURED IN GARAGE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, SPREADING GLASS IN A 6 FOOR RADIUS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR LIFTGATE HAD NOT BEEN OPENED SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED.*AK

• 12/30/2009· STRUCTURE

  LIFTGATE PANEL ABOVE EMBLEM (OUTSIDE) HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY TOP TO BOTTOM. WHEN I TOOK TO FORD SERVICE, THEY STATED OTHER SIDE WILL CRACK AND EVENTUALLY PANEL COULD COME OFF. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. IF PANEL COMES OFF, ODDS ARE IT WILL COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE RECALLS ON SAME PROBLEM BUT FOR DIFFERENT YEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. *TR

• 12/21/2008· STRUCTURE

  THE FAILURE IS FOR A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. 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 HERE AND IN ONLINE FORUMS. TO ME SEEMS LIKE A DEFICIENCY OR A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THIS PANEL THAT IS A PART OF THE LIFT GATE GLASS AND THE TAILGATE AS A UNIT'.. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THE 2002-2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER SHARE THIS SAME TAILGATE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCURY AND FORD ARE SOLELY TO BLAME FOR PRODUCING THIS FAULTY PART OF THE TAILGATE OR LIFT GATE AND SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL THEM'.. I NOTICED MY FAILURE OR CRACK IN JUNE OF 2008 WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT. I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE 2003. A BIG CONCERN IS SAFETY, SOMEONE WALKING BY THE SUV AND GETTING CUT ON THE SHARP PLASTIC, JUST LOOKING AT THE CRACK IS DISTURBING. HERE IN SOUTHERN CA. FAIRWAY FORD WANTS $425.00 AND CERRITOS FORD LINCOLN MERCURY WANTS $625.00 TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM'.. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2004. WE WERE PICKING UP THE SUV AFTER HAVING THE REAR GLASS HINGES REPLACED PER THE RECALL. AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE WRITER AT VILLA FORD TOLD ME, TRY NOT TO PUSH ON THE EMBLEM TO CLOSE THE GLASS, THE PANEL WILL CRACK IN TIME'.. (1.) I WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE PANELS WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE CRACK? (2.) WHY FORD OR MERCURY NEVER DISCLOSED THE PROBLEM? I DID CALL MERCURY, THEY TOOK THE COMPLAINT AND SAID THEY WOULD PUT IT ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE, BUT THEY NEVER DID''''''*TR

• 12/17/2015· AIR BAGS

  FAULTY AIRBAGS: ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 0540, THE SIDE CURTAIN (BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE) AIRBAGS EXPLODED IN MY 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITHOUT CAUSE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH ON A MAJOR/BUSY STATE HIGHWAY. THE EXPLOSION OF THE AIRBAGS HIT ME ON MY LEFT SIDE CAUSING NECK STRAIN AND TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS TO THE LEFT EAR. I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD (I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I GOT THERE), LUCKILY NO CARS WERE AROUND ME AT THE TIME. THE EXPLOSION ALSO CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TO FALL FROM ITS CASTERS AND WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE WINDOW (AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS). THE AIR IN THE CURTAINS WOULD NOT DISSIPATE AND I REMEMBER NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATH WELL. THERE WAS A CHEMICAL IN THE AIR AND DO TO THE CURTAINS, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. LATER IN THE DAY I TOOK CAR TO REYNOLDS FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY FORD. I ALSO WENT TO MY PCP AND WAS TREATED WITH PREDNISONE AND EAR WASH FOR LEFT EAR HEARING LOSS. LATER, HAD DRIVERS WINDOW REPAIRED.

• 12/11/2009· STEERING

  GEAR SHIFT LEVER (PRNDL) SNAPPED OFF OF STEERING COLUMN WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK FROM A DEAD STOPPED POSITION. *TR

• 12/07/2006· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED "ON 8/23/04, THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW OF MY 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VIOLENTLY EXPLODED WHILE PARKED. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION SENT GLASS FLYING INTO THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AND INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 9 DAYS BEFORE FORD SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO VIEW THE DAMAGE. AGAINST SEVERAL OPINIONS, FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THERE WERE DOG CRATES IN THE BACK. THESE CRATES HAD BEEN IN MY MOUNTAINEERS FOR YEARS & DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO THE WINDOW. I FOUND DOZENS OF IDIOPATHIC EXPLODING LIFTGATE INCIDENTS ON THE NHTSA SITE FOR THE FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - AT THE TIME, NHTSA ADVISED THAT FORD WAS ABOUT TO ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. I DID GET THE RECALL WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT, BUT MY ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECTIVE LIFTGATE GLASS FOR MYSELF AND MY INSURER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. MY COMPLAINT MADE IT TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF FORD, BUT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN TALK TO ME BECAUSE MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT SUBROGATING - THE CLAIM WAS JUST TOO SMALL FOR MY INSURER TO PURSUE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A PRINCIPLE INVOLVED, AND I AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY INSURANCE AFTER I PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE, AND THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE RECALL WORK FOR THE LIFTGATE WAS DONE BY MY DEALER. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THAT THE NEW LIFTGATE HAS AN EVER ENLARGING CRACK DOWN THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS FRAME - MY DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT STRUCTURAL AND NOT TO WORRY, BUT DUE TO THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE, I FEAR THAT ANOTHER EXPLOSION IS IMMINENT. I WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST EXPLOSION, AND IT WAS SCARY. I HAVE HAD A WARNING MAGNETIC SIGN PLACED ON THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE TO WARN PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE IN CASE OF ANOTHER EXPLOSION, AND MY DOG CRATES ARE NOW SHIELDED WITH A SUN BLANKET TO PROTECT FROM FLYING GLASS. FORD HAS CREATED SUCH BAD WILL WITH ME THAT THIS LIKELY WILL BE THE LAST FORD PRODUCT I OWN." UPDATED. *JB

• 12/07/2006· STRUCTURE

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED "ON 8/23/04, THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW OF MY 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VIOLENTLY EXPLODED WHILE PARKED. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION SENT GLASS FLYING INTO THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AND INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 9 DAYS BEFORE FORD SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO VIEW THE DAMAGE. AGAINST SEVERAL OPINIONS, FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THERE WERE DOG CRATES IN THE BACK. THESE CRATES HAD BEEN IN MY MOUNTAINEERS FOR YEARS & DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO THE WINDOW. I FOUND DOZENS OF IDIOPATHIC EXPLODING LIFTGATE INCIDENTS ON THE NHTSA SITE FOR THE FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - AT THE TIME, NHTSA ADVISED THAT FORD WAS ABOUT TO ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. I DID GET THE RECALL WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT, BUT MY ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECTIVE LIFTGATE GLASS FOR MYSELF AND MY INSURER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. MY COMPLAINT MADE IT TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF FORD, BUT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN TALK TO ME BECAUSE MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT SUBROGATING - THE CLAIM WAS JUST TOO SMALL FOR MY INSURER TO PURSUE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A PRINCIPLE INVOLVED, AND I AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY INSURANCE AFTER I PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE, AND THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE RECALL WORK FOR THE LIFTGATE WAS DONE BY MY DEALER. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THAT THE NEW LIFTGATE HAS AN EVER ENLARGING CRACK DOWN THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS FRAME - MY DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT STRUCTURAL AND NOT TO WORRY, BUT DUE TO THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE, I FEAR THAT ANOTHER EXPLOSION IS IMMINENT. I WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST EXPLOSION, AND IT WAS SCARY. I HAVE HAD A WARNING MAGNETIC SIGN PLACED ON THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE TO WARN PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE IN CASE OF ANOTHER EXPLOSION, AND MY DOG CRATES ARE NOW SHIELDED WITH A SUN BLANKET TO PROTECT FROM FLYING GLASS. FORD HAS CREATED SUCH BAD WILL WITH ME THAT THIS LIKELY WILL BE THE LAST FORD PRODUCT I OWN."

• 11/27/2008· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY, MOUNTAINEER, AWD VEHICLE NEW ON 6/17/03. ON 05/10/06 AT 50515, THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. A VISUAL EXAM INDICATED WATER DAMAGE WITH BEARING SEIZURE. ON 11/24/08 AT 88826, THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE EARLIER HUB REPLACEMENT WAS DIAGNOSED. AT THIS TIME BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BEARING HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS PRACTICALLY FROZEN AND SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT FATIGUE TO THE OUTER CASING. BOTH HUBS SHOWED RUST AND PITTING. I MAINTAINED POSSESSION OF BOTH HUBS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HAD THE HUB LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, (70MPH) A POTENTIAL FOR A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT EXISTED. ON 11/21/06, A REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REBUILT. ON 11/24/08 THE NOISE WAS AGAIN HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. APPARENTLY THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT BEARINGS DAMAGE SHIELDED THE REAR DIFF. NOISE. I NOTICE ONLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT FOR THE PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR, HOWEVER THE BASIC DRIVE TRAIN DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED FOR MERCURY OR FORD EXPLORER FOR SOME TIME AND OTHER MODEL YEARS MAY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD NOT GO 100000 PLUS MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND LIKEWISE THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE FRONT HUBS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL UP 100,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

• 11/24/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONTAL SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

• 11/21/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BEGAN TO RUMBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND FLAMES BEGAN TO ERUPT UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT NOT INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

• 11/19/2006· STRUCTURE

  THE HATCH BACK DOOR ON MY MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SPLIT IN HALF FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH DOOR. I BELIEVE THE PLACEMENT OF THE MERCURY SYMBO LINER THE TOP CENTER OF THE HATCH WEAKENS THE HATCH CAUSING IT TO SPLIT WITH USE AND / OR WITH A SUDDEN CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE. *JB

• 11/17/2007· STRUCTURE

  LIFTGATE CRACKED. NO DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE. NOTICE CRACK STARTING BELOW WINDOW GOING DOWN THROUGH THE MERCURY EMBLEM. *TR

• 11/16/2012· STRUCTURE

  THE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I WANTED TO REPORT THAT I HAVE A CRACKED TAILGATE ON MY VEHICLE. THE CRACK APPEARED ONE MORNING - I WASN'T EVEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CRACKED BEGINS AT THE TOP OF THE TAILGATE, AROUND THE EMBLEM PART OF THE LIFT GATE, THEN DOWN TOWARDS THE TAILGATE LIFT HANDLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, CITRUS FORD, ONTARIO, CA, BUT WAS INFORMED THERE WASN'T A RECALL AND THE ISSUE HAD TO DEAL WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM AND CRACKING BECAUSE ITS PLASTIC AND NOT METAL. AT LEAST THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T ACCUSE ME OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT NO EFFORTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE CRACKED TAILGATE AT NO COST TO ME, THE CUSTOMER. CAN NHTSA PUSH FORD TO RECALL THIS MATTER? *TR

• 11/14/2016· AIR BAGS

  MY 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HAS A SOLID AIR BAG LIGHT ON. IT HAS A CODE OF 33, WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON, THE LIGHT GOES ON AND BLINKS 3 TIMES THEN 3 MORE TIMES. THIS INDICATES A CODE 33. FORD HAS A TECHNICAL LETTER ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE LETTER STATES THERE IS A KIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. 1L2Z-78610E22-AAA IS THE KIT FOR A MEDIUM DARK PARCHMENT KIT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE $281.00 FOR THE PART. OUTRAGEOUS. I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY OR NOT GET MY STATE VEHICLE TEST PASSED. DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SAFETY RECALL ! SEE INFORMATION : 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER BUILD DATE 09/02 VIN===[XXX] BELOW IS A COPY OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING YOUR CONCERN. YOU CAN BUY THE KITS THROUGH ANY FORD DEALER, THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY PLACE TO GET THEM. YOU'LL FIND THE BUILD DATE ON THE VIN TAG ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. FORD:2002-2003 EXPLORER MERCURY:2002-2003 MOUNTAINEER ISSUE: SOME 2002-2003 4DR EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2292 AND LIGHT FLASHING CODE (LFC) 33 (DRIVER SEAT PRETENSIONER FAULT), OR LFC 34 (PASSENGER SEAT PRETENSIONER FAULT). THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY INTERMITTENT PRETENSIONER CONNECTION AT EITHER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. ACTION: INSTALL PRETENSIONER KIT FOR AFFECTED SIDE(S) BY BUILD DATE/COLOR. REFER TO THE FOLLOWING SERVICE INFORMATION FOR DETAILS. SERVICE INFORMATION OBTAIN CORRECT SERVICE KIT AND REFER TO INSTRUCTION SHEET INCLUDED WITH KIT FOR INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. 2002 MODEL YEAR THROUGH 3/3/02 BUILD DATES MEDIUM DARK PARCHMENT 1L2Z-78610E22-AAA 2002/2003 MODEL YEARS 3/4/02 THROUGH 1/17/03 MEDIUM DARK PARCHMENT 1L2Z-78610E22-BAA [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/11/2008· STRUCTURE

  I OPENED REAR LIFTGATE AND REMOVED SOME ITEMS AS USUAL. UPON TRYING TO LET THE GATE DOWN 1/4 WAY DOWN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE STRUTS HUNG NOT ALLOWING ME TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE GATE. *TR

• 11/08/2015· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  BACK HATCH GLASS EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (PARKED IN A PARKING LOG), AND THE DRIVER WAS CLOSING THE HATCH. BACK GLASS PORTION OF HATCH WAS BEING MANUALLY CLOSED AT A SLOW-MODERATE RATE, AND GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE GLASS, NOR ANY DISCERNIBLE REASON WHY THE GLASS SHOULD HAVE SUDDENLY SHATTERED. APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE GLASS ENDED UP IN THE CAR OR ON THE PARKING LOT SURFACE, WITH ONLY ABOUT 10% OF THE GLASS REMAINING ATTACHED TO THE HATCH FRAME AND STRUTS.

• 11/03/2015· STRUCTURE

  SEE WHERE SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY 2003 MOUNTAINEER. THE REAR GATE IS CRACKING AROUND THE EMBLEM. I'VE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD AND THEY TELL ME I CAN PAY TO FIX IT AND IF THERE IS RECALL THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME. IN ADDITION I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMING ON WHEN ALL ARE SHUT AND SECURE. I HAVE CONTACT FORD AND SEVERAL LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. THE DEALERSHIP ALL TELL ME THEIR HANDS ARE TIED UNTIL FORD MAKES A DECISION AND THAT I AM NOT ALONE. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THEY DON'T CARE. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS WHY ISN'T THIS AGENCY DOING SOMETHING?

• 10/27/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND CONCERN WITH STALLED VEHICLE, SERVICED AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUE. *BF THESE PROBLEMS ELEVATED TO VEHICLE STALLING, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THERE WERE CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCES OF THE BATTERY FAIL/CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT, VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A NEW LEASE AND OR EARLY TERMINATION OF THE LEASE. *SC

• 10/25/2006· AIR BAGS

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - *NM

• 10/20/2003· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  TO THIS DATE THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS ARE PRESENT: GAS GAUGE STICKS, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR RATTLES AND KNOCKS, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TAPS, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW GRINDS WHILE MOVING UP AND DOWN, CLOCK AND RADIO DO NOT LIGHT UP OR WORK WHEN START VEHICLE, SUN ROOF RATTLES AND KNOCKS, WIND GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN ROOF AND HEADLINER WHICH CREATES A LOUD VIBRATION, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ALSO RATTLES AND KNOCKS, THERE IS A LOUD RHYTHMIC CHIRP TOWARD REAR OF VEHICLE, HEATING AND COOLING CONTROLS SQUEAL WHEN TURNING ON OR SWITCHING VENT SETTINGS, DRIVER'S SEAT FEELS ROUGH WHEN MOVING ON SEAT TRACK, THE 3RD STEERING WHEEL STILL HAS DEFECT UNDER THE LEATHER WHICH PROTRUDES, DRIVER'S SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS DAMAGED AFTER BEING AT THE DEALERSHIP, 2ND ROW MIDDLE SEAT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK IN FOLDED POSITION, FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL DOES NOT STAY WITHIN SETTING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AT A SLOW SPEED, THE THIRD ROW CUP HOLDER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT STAY DOWN IN THE FITTING, THERE IS A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN ENGINE IS IN HARD ACCELERATION, ENGINE STARTS TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE BY BEING MALFORMED CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE INEFFECTIVE. THE SECOND STEERING WHEEL WAS ALSO ILL FITTED CAUSING SHARP PROTRUDING PARTS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: BODY WORK TO DEFECTIVE PAINT ON ROOF, FRONT HOOD, AND DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER. THE DEALERSHIP DAMAGED PAINT IN TWO AREAS AND ONLY PROVIDED TOUCH UP PAINT. REPLACED NOISY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, REAR HATCH GLASS BECAUSE DEFROST WOULD NOT WORK, REAR HATCH HINGES, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK. SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION AND PITCHING. VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD UPON ACCELERATION. *LA

• 10/19/2009· STRUCTURE

  I ALSO HAVE A CRACK ON MY LIFT GATE AROUND THE EMBLEM AND EVERY MERCURY I SEE ON THE ROAD ALSO HAS IT. I ALSO BELIEVE THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 10/14/2009· POWER TRAIN

  WE PURCHASED A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER APPROX. 9 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE OUT. WHEN WE DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL BETWEEN 2002 - 2006 FOR THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON MOUNTAINEERS, EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND RANGE/LND ROVERS. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO; THEY SAID THAT OUR PARTICULAR VIN# DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHEN I ASKED HOW COME A MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT COULD NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST THEY SAID IT COULD BE AN OVERSIGHT OR JUST MAYBE NOT FOR THAT MODEL. I THEN ASKED HOW COME THE RESEARCH PROVED TO SHOW THAT THESE WERE DEFECTIVE UPON MANUFACTURING AND SOME OF THEM NOT GET RECALLED THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME. WE NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS INOPERATIVE AND NOBODY WANTS TO CLARIFY THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD 2 ESTIMATES BOTH WITH USED PARTS FROM A WRECKING YARD. THE 1ST ESTIMATE WAS $1350 AND THE 2ND WAS $800 AND NO GUARANTEES SINCE THEY WOULD BE PULLING THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OFF OF A WRECKED VEHICLE THE SAME YEAR AS OURS AND IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY BE DEFECTIVE. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS AND NOW MY HUSBAND HAS NO TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK. HE DOES DRIVE MY CAR AT THE MOMENT BUT CAN NOT CARRY ALL OF HIS TOOLS IN MY VEHICLE SINCE HIS IS AN SUV. WE DID SEEK LEGAL COUNCIL AND WERE INFORMED THAT WE NEED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT YOU COULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL OUR VEHICLE AND THEY SAID WE HAD A VERY GOOD LAW SUIT. IF MY HUSBAND DID NOT HAVE THIS CHECKED AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE GEARS LOCKING UP AND A CRASH WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE. *TR

• 10/14/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE STALLS WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT.*AK

• 10/13/2009· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND IT HAS A CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE THAT STARTS AT THE TOP IN THE MIDDLE, GOES AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM AND CONTINUES DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. I AM WORRIED THAT THE GLASS WILL FALL OUT OR BREAK ONE DAY WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR CLOSE THE TAILGATE. OR WILL THE GLASS SHATTER WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR CLOSE IT? *TR

• 10/12/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 78000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE MONTHS AGO FOR SLIPPING AND NOT DOWNSHIFTING IT IS NOW GONG BACK IN TOMORROW TO BE REPAIRED FOR NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE IT ISN'T VERY GOOD. *TR

• 10/11/2006· POWER TRAIN

  WE BOUGHT OUR MOUNTAINEER NEW IN 2003. WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, BUT THE WORST HAS BEEN WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIPS FOR SERVICE, BUT ARE CONTINUALLY TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT "REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME". THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS SHIFTED HARD, BUT DEALERSHIPS SIMPLY TELL US IT JUST SHIFTS HARD. IN JANUARY OF 2006 THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO TOLD US WE HAD TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED AS THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN. WE PAID OVER $1300 BELIEVING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE SHIFTING PROBLEM, IT DID NOT. AT THE END OF JUNE I TOOK IT INTO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TRIP INSPECTION. I MENTIONED AGAIN THAT IT SHIFTS HARD. THEIR TECH LOOKED AT IT, FOUND METAL IN THE PAN AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT LESS THAN 55,000). APPARENTLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER FORD SENT TO THE FIRST DEALERSHIP WAS FAULTY, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEED REPLACEMENT. FORD DID PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, GIVING US ABOUT A 45 DAY WARRANTY (AS THE WARRANTY STARTED FROM THE DAY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FIRST REPLACED). WE THOUGHT SURELY THAT WOULD FIX THE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. NO...STILL SHIFTS HARD. IF WE COULD SELL THIS THING FOR ANYWHERE NEAR WHAT WE OWE...IT WOULD BE GONE. *JB

• 10/10/2015· STRUCTURE

  NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. A 1 1/2 INCH VERTICAL CRACK HAS APPEARED IN THE BODY BETWEEN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK LIFT DOOR UNDER THE WINDOW EXTENDING TO THE ROUND MERCURY SYMBOL BETWEEN THE LETTERS, R AND THE C. DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL TAKING IT THROUGH A CAR WASH WHERE I WAS WARNED IT HAD TO BE COVERED.

• 10/10/2011· POWER TRAIN

  I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE SO I COULD PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE TRANSMISSION LEVEL BROKE RIGHT OFF. THE VEHICLE, SINCE IT IS FULL-TIME AWD, CANNOT BE MOVED OR TOWED SINCE ALL THE WHEELS ARE ENGAGED IN PARK. THE METAL HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHEARED OFF WHICH I CAN ONLY CONSIDER TO BE A GRAVE SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THIS HAPPENED. *KB

• 10/08/2012· STRUCTURE

  WHEN LIFTING UP REAR WINDOW SECTION (TOP HALF OF REAR DOOR) THE HINGES BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW AND IT'S FRAME TO FALL DOWN. WINDOW FRAME WAS BARELY HANGING BY PISTON SUPPORTS. *TR

• 10/08/2012· STRUCTURE

  BACK HINGES BROKE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL. *TR

• 10/08/2012· STRUCTURE

  THE BACK LIFT GATE IS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW, AROUND THE SIDE OF THE MERCURY EMBLEM, ALL THE WAY DOWN. I'VE NOTICED THE SAME CRACKING ON ALMOST EVERY OTHER MOUNTAINEER ON THE ROADS, AND I SEE A HUGE NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

• 10/08/2008· STEERING

  I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT FROM A MECHANIC THAT THE RACKET PINION STEERING COLUMN IS LEAKING AND THE MECHANIC FEELS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

• 10/03/2011· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE YEARS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT DOESN'T "LOCK" IN THE GEAR I HAVE TO ADJUST IT TWICE, DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. BUT I JUST LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT UNTIL I SAW THIS. WANT UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 10/02/2008· STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 16 MONTHS. ON OCTOBER 1, 2008, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON DIRT ROADS, ONLY IN THE CITY. SHE FEELS THAT EITHER THE WHEEL BEARING IS DEFECTIVE OR THE FORD DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY CORRECT THE PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE WHEEL BEARING IS ONLY GOOD FOR 12,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT THEY WILL FORWARD HER INFORMATION TO THE DEALER. FROM THERE, THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,494 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS HANGING DOWN, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR HATCH WINDOW CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

• 09/27/2017· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 2003 AND IT WAS STATIONED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BACK MIDDLE OF THE HATCH NOW THERE A HUGE CRACK AND MY WINDOW OF THE TRUNK CAME UNHINGED AND FELL OFF I SEE THIS PROBLEM IN ALL MOUNTAINEERS THEY ALL HAVE THE CRACK IN THE HATCH HOPE THEIRS DON'T FALL OFF I SEE IT IN ALMOST EVERYONE'S. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING AND IT FELL OFF THIS IS NOT SAFE. PLEASE HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU!

• 09/27/2006· CHILD SEAT

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELASTIC STRAPS CONNECTED TO THE CLOTH COVER OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHICH WRAPPED AROUND THE SEAT CAN BE REMOVED EASILY. THE CONTACT'S CHILD WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE STRAPS, AND WRAP THE STRAPS AROUND THE NECK. THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED, BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THEM SOON. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS DOREL JUVENILE GROUP. MODEL COSCO CONVERTIBLE FORWARD FACING; MODEL NUMBER IS: 22-100-TTD. THE MANUFACTURER DATE WAS 2-15-05.*AK

• 09/18/2006· STRUCTURE

  LIFTGATE CRACKED. PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR POSSIBILITY OF WINDOW FALLING OUT. WAS TOLD BY MY MERCURY DEALER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT IN VEHICLE BUT SINCE IT HAPPENS BETWEEN 40,000 AND 50,000 MILES IT IS NO LONGER FORD/MERCURY'S RESPONSIBILITY SINCE CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

• 09/16/2016· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER RECALLS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IGNITION COILS, I'M HAVING A GAS SMELLS NOW, TRANSMISSION THUMPS HARD WHEN GOING INTO FIRST GEAR, SOUNDS LIKE MY REAR END IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT, MY FRONT SEAT IS ELECTRIC AND DOESN'T MOVE, THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, I KEEP TRYING TO FIX EVERYTHING THE MORE I FIX THE MORE PROBLEMS THAT COME UP, I HAVE CHECK THE RECALL LIST FOR 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER RECALL ON TRANSMISSION AND ALSO CALLED THE FORD CO THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORST AND AFRAID I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN WHEN IT BREAKS. I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION LEVEL CHECKED SAID IT WAS FINE. GETTING READY TO DO A COMPLETE TUNE-UP ON IT TO SEE IF THAT WILL HELP WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND MAKE IT RUN BETTER. IT IDLES HIGH. IT'S WORST WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY.

• 09/16/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  BACK HINGE BROKE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL. *TT

• 09/16/2006· POWER TRAINCrash

  ON 9/2/06, I USED MY VEHICLE TO GO TO STORE AND WHILE AT THE STORE, I HAD DIFFICULTY PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND NEEDED TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF TO FINALLY LOCK IT INTO PARK. I THEN RETURNED HOME WITH THE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO MY HOUSE AND STRUCK MY 8 MONTH OLD SON 'S STROLLER. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY HOUSE AND VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, FRONT BUMPER, HOOD AND GRILL. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT ON 9/11/06. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE , THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND TO STICK AND BE FAULTY IN OTHER MOUNTAINEERS. I WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I WAS ORDERED TO PAY $298.67 FOR THE REPAIR AND TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS TO MY HOUSE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE HANDLED BY ME. I DON'T KNOW HOW SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS IS NOT A RECALL BUT IT IS A KNOWN SAFELY DEFECT BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE DAMAGE AND THE PAYMENT FOR THE REPAIRS AND THAT THEY ARE LUCKY THAT NO PERSONS, ONLY PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED THAT DAY. *B

• 09/15/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  ON THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON PARKWAY (295 N ) NORTHBOUND, CHANGED LANES TO THE LEFT AND ACCELERATED. THE GAS PEDDLE WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR, STAYED THERE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES, BUT ONLY SOMEWHAT SLOWIED THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED UNTIL WE REACHED ABOUT 80MPH AND COMING CLOSE TO REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WENT OFF ON THE SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE BRAKE OVERHEATED BRAKES. I COULD NOT SEE A PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY A FLOOR MAT. THE PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I WIGGLED AND PULLED AND IT COME BACK UP WITH A POP. IN DAYLIGHT THE NEXT DAY, I INSPECTED THE PEDAL AND PUSHED IT DOWN. IT AGAIN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED THERE. I SLID UNDER THE DASH AND FOUND THAT THE HORIZONTAL PIN THAT HOLDS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BRACKET HAD BACKED OUT SIDEWAYS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, ALLOWING THE PEDAL TO GO SOMEWHAT SIDEWAYS AND THE MOTOR FOR THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAD CAUGHT ON A METAL BRACKET KEEPING THE PEDAL FROM RETURNING TO THE UP POSITION. I REMOVED THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.. THERE ARE NO CLIPS OR PINS TO HOLD THE PEDAL PIN IN PLACE ! ! ! THE ASSEMBLY RELIES ON SLIGHT INTERFERENCE BETWEEN SPLINES ON THE PIN AND SPLINES INSIDE WHERE IT GOES THROUGH THE PEDAL. WHAT HAPPENED WAS, THAT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, FROM THE PEDAL WIGGLING, THE PIN BACKED OUT.FROM USE, ON ITS OWN. AGAIN, THIS NOT SUFFICIENT TO KEEP THE PEDAL ASSEMBLED. IT NEED CLIPS ON BOTH ENDS OR COTTER PINS ON BOTH ENDS OF THE PIN ASSEMBLY. A CONCERN IS THE USE OF PLASTIC BRACKET TO MOUNT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. IN MY PAST EXPERIENCE, THE MOUNTING BRACKETS HAD BEEN MADE OF METAL. PLASTIC FATIGUES FASTER THAN METAL AND IS PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING. *TR

• 09/15/2009· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND THE LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER MOUNTAINEERS WITH EXACT SAME CRACKING AROUND EMBLEM. THIS MAKES ME WONDER IF PANEL COULD FAIL CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OUT. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN NUMEROUS WEBSITES , IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT OR THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE RAMPANT. *TR

• 09/12/2006· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION MADE A CLUNKING SOUND, SLID BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. A/C BLOWER MOTOR MADE A HUMMING SOUND. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR WOULD MISFIRE. *KB WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASH LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY TURNING THE LIGHTING SWITCH. WHEN THE SWITCH WAS TURNED THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER'S INDICATED THAT THEY SOMETIMES HEAR POPPING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH SEEMS TO BE OF AN ELECTRICAL NATURE.

• 09/12/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, SOMETIME THE DRIVERS FOOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL, AND CAUSED A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THE PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE AND ON THE SAME HORIZONTAL PLAIN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. *AK *SCC *JB

• 09/10/2008· SUSPENSION

  REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 2003 JUST BROKE IN TO TWO PIECES. *TR

• 09/10/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN SHIFTING MY MOUNTAINEER INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE JERKS INTO GEAR. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE AND ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION GETS CONFUSED AND GOES TO THE WRONG GEAR. IT GIVES YOU A FEELING SIMILIAR TO A STANDARD SHIFT BEING PUT IN 4TH WHEN IT SHOULD BE IN 2ND BOGGING DOWN DRAMATICALLY.*AK

• 09/09/2014· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE AND WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,500.

• 09/04/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO WELL KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER. THE BODY PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH IS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE AND FRIDAY WE HAD THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE HEAD/SOCKET STRIPPING THE THREADS OUT TO THE POINT THAT THE COMMON REPAIR KIT USED FOR THESE INSTANCES WON'T WORK AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A REPLACEMENT HEAD WHICH IS QUOTED AT A $3500 JOB AND THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH ABOUT $5700. I UNDERSTAND FORD ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINE/HEAD DEFECT DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT HAS OCCURRED ON FACTORY TIGHTENED PLUGS. *TR

• 08/31/2004· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR LIFTBACK WINDOW ON MY 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VIOLENTLY EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AT MY SON'S FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE. AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION, AROUND 6:30 P.M., I WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY DOGS, AND I WAS PARKED IN THE SHADE WITH THE REAR OF MY CAR BACKED UP UP TO A MINIVAN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY - SINCE I WAS IN THE VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY SURVEY THE AREA TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WAS NEARBY PULLING A PRANK. THE DEAFENING EXPLOSION MADE SUCH A LOUD NOISE THAT I INVOLUNTARY DUCKED, AND PEOPLE CAME RUNNING FROM ACROSS THE FIELD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. BROKEN GLASS WAS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE INSIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AND ALL OVER THE GROUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. HAD 3RD ROW PASSENGERS BEEN PRESENT OR HAD DOGS BEEN IN THEIR CRATES IN THE REAR, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BADLY CUT AND DAZED BY THE EXPLOSION. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION ACTUALLY BENT THE FRAME OF THE LIFTBACK, LIKE A SUITCASE STUFFED TOO FULL OF CLOTHES WOULD BEND AT THE SIDES. THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS WERE DANGLING AND ASKEW. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING, UPSETTING EXPERIENCE. AT PRESENT, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR A WEEK, AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE FORD DISTRICT MANAGER TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALER HAS CAST DOUBT AS TO WHETHER FORD WILL CONSIDER THIS A WARRANTY ITEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE "NEVER SEEN A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE". FORD HAS YET TO STEP UP AND ACKNOWLEDGE AN APPARENT DESIGN FLAW IN THE BACK LIFTGATE AND REPAIR MY VEHICLE.*AK

• 08/18/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE STEERING COLUMN . THE OFF BUTTON DOES NOT WORK ,THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE APPLIED, AND THE BUTTON TO SLOW DOWN THE TRUCK ALSO DOES NOT WORK . NO SPECIFIC DATE ,A COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO FORD WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG . *TR