2002 Mercury Mountaineer Steering Problems

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

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

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASED, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND THE GEARSHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND I AM AWAITING THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THIS IS MY SECOND FORD SUV TO DO THIS AFTER 80K MILES. THE REPAIR HAVE BEEN GOING FOR AROUND $1300 OR MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610170

Incident

Jul 13, 2014

Mileage

84,880 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN GEAR SHIFTER BECAME FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10569451

Incident

Jan 2, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WENT TO GO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, WHEN I WENT TO PUT IT ON DRIVE THE SHIFTING HANDLE BROKE OFF. I DIDNT EVEN DO IT HARD. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. I LOOKED IT UP AND THERES ALOT MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THAT IT SHOULD GO TO RECALL ITS JUST NOT SAFE, WHAT IF WERE DRIVING AND CHANGING GEARS ON THE ROAD AND SOMEONE GETS HURT EVEN DEATH. *TT

NHTSA ID

10459321

Incident

May 20, 2012

Mileage

109,000 mi

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER SNAPPED IN HALF. IT IS CURRENTLY ATTACHED BY JUST A WIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN REVERSE, AND THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT SNAPPED OFF FROM THE HOUSING UNIT, PART OF THE BOLT IS LEFT IN THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE REST IS INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED, SINCE UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10446752

Incident

Feb 5, 2012

Mileage

110,585 mi

I JUST FINISHED GETTING GAS. I TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE GEAR SHIFT SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. IT IS JUST DANGLING. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY SO THAT IT WOULD ROLL BACK AND CRASH INTO SOMEONE ELSE CAR OR JUST A PEDESTRIAN. I PAID TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME FOR $59. UPON GOING HOME, I CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS WHO CLEARLY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A QUOTE FOR THE PART AND LABOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT ONE STEP FURTHER AND WENT ONLINE TO CHECK FOR RECALLS. THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS HOWEVER, I HAVE READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I AM OUTRAGED AND I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10424086

Incident

Sep 6, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

NHTSA ID

10361397

Incident

Oct 19, 2010

Mileage

166,000 mi

MY HUSBAND HAS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER & WE WERE DROPPING HIS NIECE OFF AT HOME, PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR IN PARK & SHE GOT OUT. WHEN HE TRIED TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, WE HEARD A SNAP, & THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS HANGING DOWN. HE PULLED THE RUBBER COVERING OFF & FOUND THAT A METAL PIECE RIGHT INSIDE THE GEARS SHIFT ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. WE HAD NO WAY OF PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR SO WE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW US HOME & THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS. WE HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED & JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT FORD WANTS US TO BUY A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FOR $1,300! SO ON TOP OF THE RENTAL CAR FEE WE ARE PAYING, WE NEED TO FIND ANOTHER $1,300 TO FIX HIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, & THE FORUMS I'VE COME ACROSS HAVE ALL HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, & THE PICTURES ARE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR ALSO! I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT FOR THE FORD/MERCURY VEHICLES THAT NEED TO BE INSPECTED. SEEMS THE METAL USED IN THAT PARTICULAR PART IS EITHER TOO WEAK OR MAYBE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED IN SOME WAY. I DON'T KNOW! *TR

NHTSA ID

10354770

Incident

Sep 6, 2010

I HAD DRIVEN MY 2002 MOUNTAINEER TO WORK, I GENTLY PULLED BACK ON THE GEAR SHIFT, TO PUT IT INTO PARK, AND IT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO LEAVE IT IN DRIVE AND ALSO HAD TO LEAVE MY KEYS IN THE CAR. I DIDN'T REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT BEING STOLEN BECAUSE IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE PUT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF MOUNTAINEER, DO TO SO MANY PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSIONS, AUTO WINDOWS, GEAR SHIFTS, WHEEL WELDS, AND NOW A FIRE MAY START IN THE CAR EVEN IF IT'S NOT RUNNING. REALLY, I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL ONE OF THEM BLOWS UP, KILLING SOMEONE, BEFORE FORD WILL LISTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334242

Incident

Jun 2, 2010

Mileage

132,000 mi

GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. TOTALLY BROKEN METAL PIECE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10332184

Incident

May 20, 2010

Mileage

170,000 mi

GEAR STUCK IN PARK. UPON RELEASE GEAR SHIFT BROKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. $2000 IN REPAIR/DAMAGE. UNABLE TO FIND USED PART AS IT IS SELLS QUICKLY DUE TO THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10322986

Incident

Feb 18, 2010

SHIFTING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND LEAVING CAR STUCK IN REVERSE WITH NO WAY OF CHANGING GEARS. HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BECAUSE COLUMN IS NOT DESIGNED TO LET YOU REPLACE THE BROKEN PART ONLY. HAD TO SEARCH FOR THE PART IN JUNK YARDS AND ALL THE COLUMNS THAT COULD BE FOUND IN JUNKYARDS HAD THE SAME TROUBLE BROKEN OFF SHIFTER. HAD TO ORDER A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND I DO HAVE THE OLD COLUMN AND RECEIPTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315635

Incident

Dec 28, 2009

Mileage

120,000 mi

2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM FAILED WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE REPAIRED BY BILLY-HOWEL FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, CUMMING, GEORGIA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10267353

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

I WENT TO SHIFT MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND THE STICK SHIFT LOCATED NEXT TO STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN MY HAND, WENT TO DEALER AND THE PART WAS $800.00 FOR THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN, THE PART THAT BROKE WAS A SMALL PIECE HOLDING THE STICK, BUT DEALER SAID IT HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF IT. SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AMOUNT I SEARCHED FOR A USED PART AND EVERYONE SAID IT WAS VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS AND I FINALLY FOUND ONE FOR $200.00 BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT INSTALLED DUE TO COSTS. AND TO ADD TO MY PROBLEMS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE OD LIGHT STARTS TO FLICKER AND AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS AND RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO REPAIR/REPLACE AND THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245634

Incident

Aug 25, 2008

Mileage

99,000 mi

THE FRONT END GEAR BOX HAS GONE BAD AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRES ARE READY TO POP OFF. I JUST REPLACED THE REAR END LAST NOVEMBER 2006 ,AND NOW HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10187679

Incident

Mar 25, 2007

2002 MOUNTAINEER STALLS, TRANSMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY, MAIN CONTROL VALVE, AND GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE LIFT GATE WAS STICKING, AND WHILE CLOSING IT, THE GLASS SHATTERED, THE GLASS WAS RECALLED, AND WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TRIM ON THE FRONT DOOR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUST ON THE BRAKE COMPONETS, THE PARK BRAKE SHOES FELL APART DUE TO CORROSION, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153047

Incident

Mar 1, 2005

Mileage

46,851 mi

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *MR THE ENGINE REMAINED SLIPPING, JUMPING, AND MAKING NOISES, THE REAR WINDOW DID NOT HOLD AND FELL ON THE CONSUMERS HEAD, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS, THE FUEL ENGINE READ EMPTY AND THE LIGHT WAS ON, THE INTERIOR COAT HOOKS HAD COME OUT OF THE WALLS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUMPING, CLUNKING, AND SLIPPING. *SC DUP OF 10022342_PCO

NHTSA ID

10081527

Incident

Nov 20, 2001

Mileage

883 mi

THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, JUMPED AND MADE CLUNKING NOISES. THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. THE REAR HATCH FELL ONTO THE CONSUMERS HEAD WHICH RESULTED IN RETINAL DETACHMENT AND BALANCE TROUBLE. *MR *PH *AK *NLM PE04045.PCO

NHTSA ID

10022342

Incident

Nov 20, 2001

Mileage

883 mi

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A STRONG VIBRATION ON THE WHOLE VEHICLE AND ALSO ON THE STEERING WHEEL.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY FIRST STATED THAT THERE WERE THE TIRES THEN ALSO THE SHOCKS ON THE BACK WERE CAHNGED AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PH

NHTSA ID

8023481

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BEEN IN COLISION AND LOSING TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IMPACT. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. TS

NHTSA ID

8022337

MY SON WAS MAKING A TURN IN BOULDER WHEN THE CAR SLID INTO THE CURBING. THIS WAS ON A ICY ROAD AND THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. AFTER STRICKING THE CURBING, THE CAR WOULD NOT TRACK SO HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT THE REAR TIE ROD END HAD BROKEN OFF AND THAT A NEW ASSEMBLY MUST BE INSTALLED. MY SON CALLED ME AND I REQUESTED THE PART BE SENT TO MY ATTENTION. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT AN NORMAL FAILURE MODE FOR THIS PART. I ALSO NEED TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE NO MARKS ON THE TIRE AND THAT THE WHEEL WAS NOT DAMAGED IN THE EVENT. UPON RECEIPT OF THE FAILED PART IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM EXISTS. THE TIE ROD IS THREADED ON THE ROD AND THEN SWEDGED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. IN ORDER TO SWEDGE THE PART THE WALL THICKNESS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO LESS THAT 1/8" AND IN THE SWEDGING PROCESS, THE MATERIAL IS STRECHED OVER THE SHOULDER BETWEEN THE SOLID MASS OF THE TIE ROD AND THE DRILLED OUT (REDUCED WALL THICKNESS)SECTION OF THE TIE ROD THAT IS THEN THREADED AND SWEDGED IN-PLACE. THE PART ALSO HAS RUST PRESENT ON THE INSIDE OF THE BREAK WHICH IS AN INDICATION THAT A CRACK WAS PRESENT THAT WAS MOST LIKELY CREATED BY THE HIGH MECHANICAL STRESSES IN THE SWEDGING PROCESS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT ON ALL THE NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORERS/MOUNTAINEERS. THIS IS A NEW SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR 2002. A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 MPH COULD BE CATASTROPHIC! I HAVE NOT MADE CONTACT WITH FORD AND STILL HAVE THE PART IN MY POSSESSION. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS SHOULD BE.*AK

NHTSA ID

758716

Incident

Feb 8, 2002

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