2002 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Complaints

Aftermarket rack and pinion system re-manufactured by Detroit Axel began leaking fluid and caused a loss of power steering within 3 months of purchase. A second unit was installed and after about a year had the exact same failure as the first unit. Also resulting in the loss of power steering. It is my contention that Detroit Axel is not capable of re-manufacturing to a satisfactory safety standard. I believe they should be investigated and perhaps subject to a product recall. I pray nobody has yet been killed by their ineptitude!

NHTSA ID

11562105

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

Body : to much rust, corrosion, on rear of truck other failure or detachment of exterior body like rear gate frame components, and other structural components that may present a safety hazard. Electrical : electrical systems and items such asa wiring and cable on or inside the door, ignition switch cover detach ,instrument panel and gauges blinking that causes motors and actuators that power mechanical devices like (windows, sunroofs, seats, etc.) Generate some kind of electrical problem that may present a safety hazard. Power train :transmissions, transfer cases fluid hard to check ,electronic control units and shift lever inacurated, drive axles, hubs, shafts, differentials, CV joints star vibration that may present a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11469915

Incident

Jun 18, 2022

Heard a pop noise under hood. Engine shut off battery light came on. Went to open hood and there was a fire.

NHTSA ID

11463995

Incident

May 10, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11307302

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

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

MY POWER WILL STAY ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ALSO I'M HAVING AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO GO TO ABOUT 25 MI TILL 26 FOR IT TO PICK UP ANY SPEED IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME FOR IT TO PICK UP ANY SPEED IN THE 1ST PLACE.

NHTSA ID

11002611

Incident

Jun 27, 2017

Mileage

25,000 mi

I PURCHASED A VEHICLE ON MARCH 11, 2017 FROM A DEALERSHIP NAMED REDEFINED AUTO SALES IN SKOKIE, IL. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 IN COSTS FOR REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING WITH I HAD TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON THE SAME DAY THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS I EXITED THE EXPRESSWAY IN ROUTE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, AS I WAS EN ROUTE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, ON THE EXPRESSWAY A MOTORIST TRIED TO CUT ME OFF AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. THINGS HAVE JUST WENT DOWNHILL FROM THERE.

NHTSA ID

10993134

Incident

Mar 11, 2017

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM REDEFINED AUTO SALES LOCATED IN SKOKIE, IL ON 3/11/17. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500.00 IN COST FOR REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE, BEGINNING WITH I HAD TO GET THE OIL CHANGED THE SAME DAY THAT I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL REQUIRED LIGHT CAME ON AS SOON AS I EXITED THE EXPRESSWAY, I ALMOST GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN ROUTE FROM THE CAR DEALERSHIP BECAUSE A MOTORIST TRIED TO CUT ME OFF AND THAT IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. THE NEXT DAY THE POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AND THINGS JUST HAS WENT DOWN HILL SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AS I'M TYPING THIS, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ANYWHERE OTHER THAN BACK AND FORTH TO REPAIR SHOPS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB BUT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE BUSINESS RESPONDED SAYING THE VEHICLE WAS USED AND I REJECTED THE RESPONSE AND THEN RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE BBB SAYING THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. THIS VEHICLE WAS A LEMON WITH A LOT OF ISSUES AND NONE OF THOSE ISSUES WERE DISCLOSED TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10991755

Incident

Mar 11, 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

WHEN GOING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT.IT ACTUALLY KICKED THE VEHICLE BACK. OD LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON.BEEN DOING THIS SINCE. WENT TO GO GET MOUNTAINEER READ AND OF COARSE..THE TRANSMISSION..SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE OTHERWISE THIS MIGHT EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LAWSUIT AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME THING.

NHTSA ID

10927341

Incident

Nov 21, 2016

Mileage

150,351 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY & STOPPED AT ONE OF THE SERVICE STATIONS ALONG THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE I PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, TURNED IT ON, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE HIT THE GAS & THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. I TRIED PUTTING IT IN REVERSE & NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR WOULD REV UP BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT FELT LIKE I HAD THE CAR ON NEUTRAL. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES & NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN TRIED TO PUT THE CAR ON D3 & THAT IS WHEN IT MOVED SLIGHTLY. PARK & DRIVE DO NOT WORK!! VERY DANGEROUS HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS STILL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH IS WHAT WOULD HAVE PROBABLY HAPPENED. I WAS ONLY OUT OF MY CAR FOR 10 MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

10896204

Incident

Aug 15, 2016

Mileage

163,000 mi

STARTED VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK LIKE EVERY DAY TRIED TO SHIFT INTO R SHIFTER BROKE OF IN MY HAND. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I AM GLAD IT HAPPENED IN DRIVE WAY. I LIVE ON HIGHWAY AND IT COULD HAVE BROKE AFTER I WAS IN HIGHWAY SHIFTING INTO D.

NHTSA ID

10861022

Incident

Apr 22, 2016

Mileage

167,950 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES 105S RUGGED TRAIL T/A TIRES, SIZE: P245/65R17. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CRACKING AROUND THE TREAD FOR ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10735494

Incident

Oct 25, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET, THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL SHOT OUT FROM THE #2 CYLINDER. A LARGE PERCUSSION BANGING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH WAS THE DETECTABLE EVIDENCE SOMETHING HAD JUST GONE DESPERATELY WRONG WITH THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

10731914

Incident

Jun 27, 2015

Mileage

148,000 mi

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

MY SPARK PLUG ON #2 CYLINDER JUST SHOT OUT OF MY TRUCK'S ENGINE... ARGH!!!! DESTROYED MY COIL PACK AND COULD HAVE BUSTED THE FUEL LINE. AND NOW I CANT PUT IN THE SPARK PLUG. WTF........??????? *TR

NHTSA ID

10706419

Incident

Apr 18, 2015

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10693931

Incident

Feb 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BECAME TOO TIGHT TO BREATHE AND WOULD NOT LOOSEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10690641

Incident

Feb 12, 2015

WHILE DRIVING THE "OD" LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO THIRD GEAR. IT WOULD JUST REV UP. IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT WOULD USUALLY SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. I WAS GOING TO TRY TO CHECK THE FLUID BUT COULDN'T FIND THE DIPSTICK. I CHECKED THE MANUAL AND FOUND OUT THERE IS NONE. WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE FOR HELP I FOUND ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT WERE EXACTLY LIKE MINE. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUSLY POORLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART FOR AN OWNER TO REPLACE AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU COULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AT A CRITICAL MOMENT. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS I AM SEEING ONLINE THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMEBODY GETTING HURT OR KILLED FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN. *JS

NHTSA ID

10681939

Incident

Jan 8, 2015

Mileage

104,000 mi

THE CAR WOULD HAVE A WARNING DISPLAY THAT A DOOR WAS AJAR AND WE WOULD CHECK ALL THE DOORS AND RE-CLOSE THEM ALL AND THE WARNING WOULD STILL APPEAR. THEN WE WOULD CHECK THE LIFT GATE WINDOW ON THE BACK AND RE-CLOSE IT AND THE DISPLAY WOULD GO AWAY, BUT THE LIFT GATE WAS CLOSED THE WHOLE TIME BEFORE. IT CONSTANTLY DOES THIS AND NOW THE LIFT GATE HAS A CRACK IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10668824

Incident

Apr 4, 2011

I RECENTLY DECIDED TO BE #TEAMFORD....UNFORTUNATELY I'M DISAPPOINTED. MY TRUCK NOW HAS THE O/D LIGHT FLASHING EXCESSIVELY. THE TRUCK GOES IN TO 3RD GEAR BUT THUMPS & GOES DOWN INTO 2ND & THEN 1ST. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WILL RUN ME ABOUT $1800. I REALLY WISH I WOULD'VE STUCK WITH CHEVROLET. .... I'VE USED GOOGLE TO SEE IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS PROBLEM....& YES THEY ARE. FORD SHOULD REALLY OWN UP TO THIS & FIX THIS PROBLEM OUR DO A RECALL. THIS IS SAD. BOY DO I MISS MY CHEVY..... *TR

NHTSA ID

10658747

Incident

Nov 12, 2014

CHANGED FRONT PADS ( NEVER OPENED BLEEDER)THEN HAD SOFT PEDAL, AFTER THAT CHANGED FROND BRAKE LINES MASTER CYLINDER, BOOSTER, ABS CONTROL UNIT AND CALIPERS STILL SOFT PEDAL. THEN USED SNAPON SCAN TOOL TO PERFORM BRAKE BLEEDING IN ABS CONTROL UNIT, STILL PROBLEM PERSISTED, AS OF NOW STILL NO LUCK (BLEEDING ALL 4WHEELS IN FACTORY SPECS HAVE BEEN PERFORM/BENCH BLEEDING) STILL SOFT PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652936

Incident

Nov 4, 2014

Mileage

192,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ERROR MESSAGE CHECK TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY FROM A START THEN HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO GEARS. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND DECIDED TO CHANGE, CLEAN AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO FIND CURES FOR THIS PROBLEM AT FORD MOTOR CO WEB SITE AND THERE WAS NO INFORMATION THERE . I SEARCHED THE WEB FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND CAME UP WITH OVER 500 COMPLAINTS WITH FORD BLAZERS' AND MOUNTAINEERS 2002 THROUGH 2004 TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS..5R555 SOLENOID PACK. I FOUND A COMPANY THAT CLAIMED THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION 5 SOLENOID PACK NEEDING A UP GRADE AND THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM THROUGH USA INDUSTRIES IN BAY SHORE NY. PURCHASED THIS OEM FORD UPGRADE PACKET, INSTALLED THIS MIRACLE PART AND THE PROBLEMS WERE STILL THERE. NOW USA INDUSTRIES DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT REFUNDING MY MONIES EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL IN THE REFUND TIME LIMIT.. HOPEFULLY EBAY WILL RESOLVE THERE POOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS ISSUE. FORD CLAIMS I NEED TO HAVE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT APPROXIMATELY $2500.00. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL FORD CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT ARE HESITANT TO ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS.. CAN THAT BE FOR REAL????? IS ANYONE ELSE READY TO STAND UP TO FORD FOR A RECALL DEMAND ON OUR CARS?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10650688

Incident

Sep 25, 2014

Mileage

48,012 mi

I WENT TO TAKE MY VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TEST AND OIL CHANGE AND WHEN I WENT TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, IT JUST DANGLED IN THE AIR. I FOUND THIS TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!, NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO IT BEING STUCK IN PARK. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THEN YESTERDAY WHILE HAVING THE BRAKES FIXED AND TRYING TO HAVE IT TEST DRIVEN, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AGAIN AND NOT ABLE TO MOVE TO THE ENGINE START POSITION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION SINCE THIS IS AT SOME POINT, CAUSE AN INJURY. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE ISN'T? PLEASE HELP US OUT. THESE ARE NICE VEHICLES AND THIS IS GIVING THEM A BAD REP. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639005

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

18,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND LOW OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND OBSERVED THAT THE OIL WAS FULL. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE ENGINE OIL AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10633185

Incident

Sep 11, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi