RoadVitals

2002 Mercury Mountaineer Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
19
Latest Jun 18, 2022
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 19 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 electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 18, 2022

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
Electrical
Filed Jul 1, 2017

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
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2017

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
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 21, 2016

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
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
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Dec 29, 2014

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
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 25, 2014

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
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND SUDDENLY ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS INCLUDING THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED . IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACTS DOME LIGHTS DID NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10588600
Incident
May 14, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DOOR WAS EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. UPDATED 01/26/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN. UPDATED 03/25/11

NHTSA ID
10368335
Incident
Nov 29, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 6, 2010
Fire reported

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD *TGW THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. THE CONSUMER ALSO MAILED IN A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10359790
Incident
Jun 22, 2008
ElectricalSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Apr 27, 2010

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND STUTTER IN TRAFFIC HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT IN 2008 COSTING $3600.00, THE DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING PROBLEMS ON FRONT AND REAR WITH THE CAR WHEELS SPINNING AND STICKING AT TIMES, THE TIRES (ALL FOUR) BALLING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT HAVING TO REPLACE THEM EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, THE POWER LOCKS, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO LIKE ITS A SHORTAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10327816
Incident
Jan 10, 2009
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Mar 9, 2009

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, SAME AS THE EXPLORER. MY OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I HAD FORD SERVICE CENTER RUN THE CODE, CODE 755 SOLENOID B, I HAD THE FORD SERVICE CENTER REPLACE IT TO THE TUNE OF $698 ON MARCH 5. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK MARCH 5, 2009 AT 12PM. MARCH 6, 2009 8 AM, SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND I'M TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MARCH 9, 2009 I TOOK THE TRUCK TO 2 SEPARATE SHOPS, ONE OF THEM BEING A VETERAN TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP. SAME SOLENOID CODE 755 SOLENOID B. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL REPLACE AND I STILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT THE TRANSMISSION, THE WIRING HARNESS IS BAD WHICH CAUSES THE SOLENOID TO SHOW AS BAD AND SHOW THE CODE. SHE SAID SHE HAS HAD DEALINGS WITH THE SAME SERVICE CENTER AND EVERYTIME THEY TELL CUSTOMERS THEY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261140
Incident
Mar 5, 2009
Mileage
147,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE NOZZLE STOPPED AFTER THREE GALLONS AND GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED AN UNKNOWN REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,140. UPDATED 04-07-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR AJAR CHIME GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK FOR 5 MILES. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10216918
Incident
Apr 1, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 11, 2006

LOSS OF A/C ,FOUND WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING ON OIL FILTER SPACE GUARD DUE TO POOR ROUTING OF HARNESS. MANY OTHER WIRES RUN THROUGH THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE AND OTHER FAILURES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157273
Incident
May 10, 2006
Mileage
56,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 29, 2005

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141198
Incident
Oct 24, 2005
Mileage
27,798 mi
Body & structureElectricalOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Oct 18, 2005

DT: THE CALLER SAID VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. SHE STATED THAT IT DID START BACK UP. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT EACH TIME. SHE SENT MANUFACTURER A LETTER ON THE PROBLEM AND OTHER PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE CALLER STATED THAT SHE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AND NOW WHEN SHE TAKES IT OUT OF PARK SOMETHING POPS. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO HELP HER WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS DID NOT STAY ON, THE CONSUMER HEARD WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10136572
Incident
Sep 14, 2004
Mileage
36,000 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed May 11, 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, JUMPED AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES WHILE IN PARK, REVERSE OR WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR NUMEROUS THINGS SUCH AS THE IGNITION SWITCH. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE SHOP THIS TIME AND THEY SAID IT WAS HER TRANSMISSION. HER VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41000 MILES. SHE STARTED SMELLING A BURNING SMELL AND THAT'S WHEN SHE TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP. SHE HAS ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 45 DAYS AND HAS ALREADY HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10120710
Incident
May 7, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jan 28, 2005

MOUNTAINEER STARTED TO MAKE SQUEELING SOUND. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE BELT SQUEELING, SO I TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BEARING INSIDE ALTERNATOR WAS FAILING. CAR WAS BOUGHT AS IS FROM CITRUS FORD, ONTARIO, CA. THERE WAS 30 DAY WARRANTY, BUT INCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL AFTER 30 DAYS WAS UP. POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS ONLY 3YR. 36,000 MILE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 56000 MILES WHEN ALTERNATOR BEARING WENT BAD. THIS COST ME $256 FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED, PLUS LABOR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10108171
Incident
Jan 27, 2005
Mileage
54,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2001

ENGINE STALLS TRAVELLING AT 35 MILES/HR. HAS HAPPENED TWICE. ELECTRICAL POWER ON, JUST ENGINE TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ID
751246
Incident
Aug 24, 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .