Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Mar 6, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 372 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Airbags
Filed Mar 6, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, CHEST, LOWER AND UPPER BACK, ABDOMINAL, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
NHTSA ID
11184687
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 9, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD GOING 20-25 MPH, MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY STILL CONFUSED AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. THEY INFORMED ME TO CALL FORD AND REPORT IT AND CUT THE AIRBAG ENOUGH TO SEE. WITH NO LUCK ON GETTING HELP FROM FORD OR MY INSURANCE COMPANY, I'M NOW DEALING WITH FAILING INSPECTION DUE TO MY AIRBAG LIGHT. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AS I HAVEN'T MADE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ID
10959878
Incident
Apr 21, 2016
Mileage
199,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2015
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING ALL I HERE WAS DING DING DING OD/OFF STARTED FLASHING . SEC LATER CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON NOW WHEN I DRIVE PUTTING FOOT ON THE PADDLE TO GO IT WILL IDLE UP I RELEASE AND IT WILL SHIFT N GO. AAMCO SAYING THAT I NEED A REBUILT TRANNY THAT'S BS WITH ALL WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING IT'S JUST A RIP OFF I DON'T HAVE $3500 TO GET THIS FIX. NOW SEEING NOT ONCE NOT TWICE SO MANY COMPLAINTS I READ THAT PEOPLE PAID FOR 2 OR MORE TRANNY FOR THE VEHICLE'S AND NOTHING IS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. AND THE FORD DEALS KNOWS ABOUT IT..... DO A HUMAN BEING HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE BEFORE FORD DEALER'S CAN OWN UP TO THERE RESPONSIBILITY? IF THEY WAS IN OUR SHOES THEY WOULD WANT THE SAME THING VICE VERSE THEY SAY U REAP WHAT YOU SOW. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP UP JUST FIX OUR TRANSMISSION THAT'S ALL.. ANOTHER THING ABS LIGHT STAYS ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON ALL MY WINDOWS DOESN'T LET DOWN NOW WTF? *TR
NHTSA ID
10715424
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
167,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 30, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING INTO A PARKING GARAGE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
NHTSA ID
10456878
Incident
Apr 28, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS AT THE DEALER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIANS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE OF THE REPAIRS MADE. AFTER THE REPAIRERS WERE MADE, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE AIR BAG AND THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ID
10383050
Incident
Oct 3, 2007
Mileage
87,000 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsTransmission
Filed Aug 20, 2009
2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER V8 AWD 4.6 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HAD UNDER 60,000 MILES, BUT HAD SURPASSED EXTENDED WARRANTY TIME FRAME. REVERSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. SHIFTED VERY HARD THROUGH GEARS. SOMETIMES TACKING AT 3000 RPM. TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. REPAIRED AT A COST OF 2600.00. HAVE SINCE RETURNED VEHICLE TO SAME PLACE FOR SAME ISSUES PLUS TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. SEAT BELTS LOCKED DOWN FOR NO REASON. WOULD NOT RETRACT. CALLED DEALER, COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I WAS OVER RESTRAINT WARRANTY BY 3000 MILES. HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS. FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON OR BLINKS, OR IS OFF. CALLED DEALER, STATED REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW JUNE 2002. TODAY IT HAS 65,00 MILES ON IT. IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY ON THE HIGHWAY FOR VACATIONS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL SMALL REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLES DRIVE TRAIN AND SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM TO INCLUDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAG ISSUES. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS I SEE ON LINE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND FRONT AIR BAG ISSUES, SEEMS TO ME SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO HELP THOSE OF US THAT PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A FORD/ MERCURY OWNER SINCE 1971. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE I HAVE HAD THAT HAD MAJOR ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10281185
Incident
May 10, 2008
Mileage
59,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 29, 2008
Crash reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 70 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,200.
NHTSA ID
10247177
Incident
Aug 29, 2008
Mileage
101,200 mi
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2008
PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED / WILL NOT GO OUT. / THIS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CHRONIC ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR / SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS / SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY MERCURY AND NOT THE OWNER / COSTLY REPAIR / NORMAL DRIVING AND WEAR / THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED ON MY VEHICLE NEEDS REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10227186
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DOG IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED DOWN AN INCLINE INTO SOME SMALL TREES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND STRUCK HER MOUTH AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA ID
10226894
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
62,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2008
Crash reported2 injuries reported
MY WIFE AND MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH ON 2/12/2008. THE AIR BAGS ON THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10218774
Incident
Feb 12, 2008
Mileage
83,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 18, 2008
01/18/07 WHEN TRUCK SHIFTS GEARS IT VIBRATES. SOLUTION: FLUSH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. (ALSO CHANGED OIL) HELPED FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT PROBLEM IS BACK. ($198.95) 5/29/07 AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SOLUTION: REPLACED DRIVERS SIDE PRETENSIONER. (ALSO CHANGED OIL). $273.19 6/26/07 HEARD VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. SOLUTION: REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL (INTERNAL DAMAGE TO CLUTCHES), BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS (BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE) $1580.23 11/07/07 TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR AND SEEMS TO JUMP WHILE TURNING. SOLUTION: FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND REPLACE SEALS IN REAR. $482.97 STILL HAVE THE LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. 12/13/07 TAKE TRUCK TO DIFFERENT PLACE WITH SAME PROBLEM. SOLUTION: REPLACE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING. $401.73. 02/18/08 STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH LOUD NOISE AND JUMPING. SOLUTION: LEFT REAR HUB BEARING, DRUMS IN REAR, AND NOW MECHANIC TELLS ME I NEED CLUTCH PACKS IN REAR TO SOLVE PROBLEM. TELLS ME I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER.??? $380.00. NOW I CAN ADD ALL OF THIS UP 198.95+273.19+1580.23+482.97+401.73+380.00=$3017.07 TO FINALLY GET MY TRUCK FIXED---------PRICELESS!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10218446
Incident
Jan 18, 2007
Airbags
Filed Sep 5, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE TWO FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. FORD HAS A REPAIR BULLETIN THAT STATES THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE MAIN HARNESS TO THE DETONATOR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CURRENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,245 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,520.
NHTSA ID
10201952
Incident
Jul 14, 2005
Mileage
36,520 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 31, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. ON APRIL 15, 2007, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HER DAUGHTER SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND RECEIVED HEADACHE MEDICATION FROM HER DOCTOR. THE VEHICLE'S HOOD AND FENDER WERE DAMAGED. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,246 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,246. UPDATED 02/01/08.* LJ
NHTSA ID
10197941
Incident
Apr 14, 2007
Mileage
65,246 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 12, 2006
Crash reported3 injuries reported
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN JULY 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SECOND ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER 2006, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AT 50 MPH WHEN IT IMPACT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS IMMOBILE. THE OTHER VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND THERE WERE THREE INJURIES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO, DURING OR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT WHO DETERMINED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER AFTER THE SECOND ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA ID
10170697
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
66,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
10143997
Incident
Aug 10, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2003
THE SIDE AIR BAGS IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR AT THE TIME, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SITUATION. FORD'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN LESS THAN SATISFACTORY. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I PROMPLTLY NOTIFIED FORD OF THE INCIDENT, NO ONE AT FORD'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HAS CONTACTED ME TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM AS PROMISED. IN FACT, WHEN I CALLED FORD ON MARCH 1, 2003 TO FOLLOW-UP, A TELEPHONE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT FORD'S COMPUTER RECORDS SHOW THAT A CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGENT HAD CONTACTED ME ON FEBRUARY 27, 2003. I RECEIVED NO SUCH CALL AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM AN AGENT FROM THAT DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, FORD DID NOT AUTHORIZE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALERSHIP TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE UNTIL FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2003. *JB
NHTSA ID
10008291
Incident
Feb 24, 2003
Mileage
4,700 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 17, 2002
1 injury reported
WHILE COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT A VERY LOW SPEED AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HITTING THE CONSUMER. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ID
8014101
Incident
Jul 16, 2002
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2002
Crash reported
WHILE TRAVELING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THERE WAS A WATER POT HOLE IN STREET. ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND CONSUMERS SON HIT VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF.CONSUMERS SON HYDROPLANED HITTING OTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON THEN OVER TO THE RIGHT LEFT SIDE. *JG
NHTSA ID
8010051
Incident
May 12, 2002
Airbags
Filed Mar 7, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
8005172
Incident
Feb 20, 2002
AirbagsBody & structureHeating & air conditioning+5 more
Filed Nov 27, 2001
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
NHTSA ID
899497
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own