RoadVitals

2003 Mercury Mountaineer Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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 Aug 16, 2020
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.
13%
of 152 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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 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 powertrain

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

Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 16, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

BIG O TECHS CONNED WIFE INTO BUYING 2 TIRES AND WE OWN AWD SUV THAT REQUIRES 4 AT THE SAME INTERVALS .I IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THEM THAT THIS IS NOT SAFE AND WILL DAMAGE MY CAR THEY CONTINUED FOR OVER 2 MONTHS TO LIE TO ME ABOUT HAVING SOMEMONE COMTACT ME . I HAVE ALL THE COMMUNICATIONS I'VE HAD WITH THEM THROUGH MESSAGES. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THEY PUT THE TIRES ON AND REFUSED TO TAKE THEM OFF AND PUT MY OLD O ES BACK ON AND ISSUE A REFUND WELL MY TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE FAILED I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY LIED TO ME ABOUT SOMEONE CONTACTING ME . I TOOK MY SUV TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WE MEASURED OVER 2 INCH CIRCUMFERENCE DIFFERENCE. I INFORMED BIG O THAT I HAVE A TSB ISSUED BY FORD MY EMPLOYER THAT DATES BACK TO 2011 ON TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE PROCEDURES FOR TIRE DEALERS TO FOLLOW . THE RESPONSE I GOT WAS THAT BIG O REFUSES TO REVIEW OR ACKNOWLEDGE TSBS . THAT'S ALARMING AS TSBS ARE ISSUED MY THE MANUFACTURERS FOR SAFETY . I HAD MY SUV FIXED FOR 3000+ $ OUT OF POCKET AND CONTACTED BIG O THE DAY I PICKED IT UP ABOUT THE TIRES STILL BEING ON THERE . I WARNED THEM THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN HURT MY NEW DRIVETRAIN THE VERY NEXT DAY FROM GETTING MY SUV OUT OF THE SHOP THE TIRES AGAIN CAUSED BINDING TO OCCUR BUT THIS TIME IT LED TO WHAT SHOULD'VE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT WHERE AS THE AWD SYSTEM DONE IT'S JOB BUT THE TIRES BEING OFF BY SO MUCH MADE THE SUV BIND A THREE IN INTO 3 360 DEGREE SPIN AND SLAMMED THE CONCRETE MEDIAN TOTALING MY VEHICLE AND INJURING MY WIFE. I'VE DOCUMENTED ALL MESSAGES WITH BIG O AND HAVE MUCH MORE EVIDENCE RELATED TO THIS CASE THAT I'M UNABLE TO ADD IN THIS DESCRIPTION BECAUSE I'M RUNNING OUT OF ALLOWED CHARACTERS REMAINING . I DID CONTACT BIG O AGAIN AND SENT PHOTOS OF MY CRASHED SUV AND SUDDENLY THEY NOW WON'T RESPOND BACK AT ALL . I THINK THIS JUSTIFIES A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THERE REFUSAL TO REVIEW TSBS AND FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL MY

NHTSA ID
11349674
Incident
Aug 12, 2020
Mileage
172,800 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2019

I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO THERE ALWAYS A PROBLEM SHIFTING GEARS

NHTSA ID
11231457
Incident
Apr 10, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT. WHILE PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10972300
Incident
Nov 15, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 16, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10907125
Incident
May 2, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POPPING SOUND WAS LOUDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LEAK IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10508311
Incident
Mar 25, 2013
Mileage
240,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2012

FORD HAS A TSB ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED TYEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS IF THERE ARE SOOO MANY COMPLAINT FROM CONSUMERS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUES IS THAT NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURE BEING IT CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT? I HAVE TO CHILDREN AND THIS IS OF EXTREME CONCERN TO ME THAT THESE ISSUES ON MY CAR CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. -BACK TRUNK DOOR IS CRACKED DOWN THE LATCH. -THE CAR DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY AND TIRES SEEM LOOSE -THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING ALL THE TIME AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SIGNALING.. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY WEBSITES WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES ON 2003-2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461435
Incident
May 4, 2012
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 29, 2012

THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARK AND I HAVE TO PULL DOWN ON IT REALLY HARD TO GET IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE I'M AFRAID THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK ONE DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10459900
Incident
May 29, 2012
Mileage
64,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2012

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING @ 35 MPH, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450722
Incident
Mar 2, 2012
Mileage
86,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 10, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10429347
Incident
Oct 9, 2011
Mileage
92,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 3, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10428385
Incident
Oct 22, 2009
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10287418
Incident
Sep 7, 2009
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2009

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4.6L-V8: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ACCELERATION [STOP SIGN/SIGNAL, EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, COASTING] THE ENGINE WILL NOT HOLD IDLE, THEN STALL. THE STEERING & BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS. TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO DARK FOR A MOMENT...THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. DECELERATING FROM AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, ON A CURVED EXIT RAMP , AT NIGHT MAKES FOR AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER CAN NOT SEE BECAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE! I'VE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION CENSOR [TPS] WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALER OFFERS REPLACEMENT OF PARTS $1500, AND NO GUARANTEE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS USELESS TO ME FORE IT IS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD...FOR ME AND ANYONE ELSE DRIVING NEAR ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275214
Incident
Jun 26, 2009
Mileage
127,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 27, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10250011
Incident
May 10, 2006
Mileage
50,515 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2008

POWERTRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236601
Incident
Jul 28, 2008
Mileage
61,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 1, 2008
Fire reported

UPON LEAVING WORK IN THE AM I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY DASH GAUGES WERE WORKING NOR WERE ANY OF THE ELECTRIC WINDOW OR THE RADIO. I THEN CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO ADV ME TO BRING IT TO HIM. WHILE I WAS EN ROUTE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO HIM IT STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE LIKE I WAS IN A HELICOPTER AND I STARTED SMELLING THIS WEIRD SMELL LIKE OIL BURNING AT FIRST IT THOUGHT THEY MESSED UP MY OIL CHANGE AND I WAS FURIOUS. UPON ARRIVING AT THE SHOP HE IMMEDIATELY SMELLED THE ODOR PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT AND FOUND OUT THAT MY FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD GONE BAD. I PURCHASED ANOTHER ONE AND HI INSTALLED IT AND I TOOK IT HOME BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE GAUGES ON MY WAY TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SMOKE AND WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND BACK UNDER MY CAR ANOTHER DRIVING PASSING BY SIGNALED SOMETHING WAS COMING FROM BENEATH MY VEHICLE AND UPON THAT I HEARD A LOUD BANG POPPING NOISE AND MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT AGAIN THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE AND THE GAUGES WINDOWS AND RADIO STILL DOES NOT WORK. MY MECHANIC CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND ADV THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. HE DID HOWEVER CALL A MERCURY DEALER WHO ADV HE HAS HAD TO CHANGE SOME OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIALS ON OTHER MOUNTAINEERS BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN AS TO HOW MANY WERE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219772
Incident
Feb 20, 2008
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, BUT DID NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE FORD DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS FAILURES OF THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE IS CRACKED. A VALID VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10196047
Incident
Dec 16, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2006

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.

NHTSA ID
10169065
Incident
Sep 1, 2006
BrakesInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Jul 29, 2006

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AWD 4.0L. WE PURCHASED OUR MOUNTAINEER IN JUNE OF 2004, WITH 22,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES INTO OUR OWNERSHIP, WE EXPERIENCED A FRONT BEARING WINE. DEALERSHIP COVERED DEFECT UNDER 3 YEAR / 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. OTHER DEFECTS COVERED...REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR SPEED SENSOR AT 23,454 MILES. A 2ND ABS PROBLEM REQUIRED A NEW ACTUATOR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY AT 28,419 MILES. TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED AT 32,075 MILES. DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED AT 33,443 MILES. RECALL ON REAR GLASS HATCH LIFT STRUTS AT 27,379 MILES. JANUARY 23, 2006 OUR MOUNTAINEER NOW HAS 42,777 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE NOTICED A LOW PITCH NOISE STARTING AT 25-30 MPH AND BECOMING HIGHER IN PITCH AT HIGHER SPEEDS. OUR LOCAL LINCOLN / MERCURY DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR DETERMINED WE HAD A FAULTY REAR AXLE RING & PINION GEAR SET. THEY REBUILT OUR REAR AXLE USING THE VIN # TO DETERMINE ACTUAL BILL OF SALES DATE, WHICH WAS JUNE OF 2003. THIS GAVE US A WARRANTY UNTIL JUNE OF 2006 THUS NEARING THE END OF OUR 36 MONTHS WARRANTY. WE REGRETFULLY ADMIT PAYING A $200.00 DEDUCTIBLE THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR. WE DROVE OFF WITH OUR NEWLY REBUILT AXLE IN OUR MOUNTAINEER. OUR NOISY AXLE NEVER WENT AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMED THIS DUE TO WORN AND NOISY TIRES. WE REPLACED THESE TIRES AT 47,500 MILES OR 4,500 MILES AFTER THE ORIGINAL AXLE NOISE COMPLAINT WITH NO REAL APPARENT CHANGE TO OUR NOISY PROBLEM. OUR MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP AT 48,300 MILES WITH A NOISE STILL DISTINCTIVE FROM THE REAR. AGAIN OUR LOCAL MERCURY DEALERSHIP TOOK A LOOK AT THE SUV WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. HIS COMMENT... SOUNDS LIKE AN ON-GOING REAR AXLE ISSUE. HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS DISTRICT MANAGER ABOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE AXLE ASSEMBLY THIS TIME AROUND. THEY CONTACTED US BY PHONE THE NEXT DAY. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS THE AXLE, BUT ONE OF THE REAR OUTER HUB WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES. IT WOULD COST US $270.00. *JB

NHTSA ID
10163859
Incident
Jul 21, 2006
Mileage
22,300 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2006
Fire reported

2003 MOUNTAINEER TRANSAXLE HOUSING BROKE IN HALF. THE OIL FROM THE TRANSAXLE LEAKED ON THE EXHAUST CAUSING A SMALL FIRE. *TS THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT SHE MAY HAVE HIT AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155157
Incident
Feb 17, 2006

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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