Problems · by component

2002 Mercury Mountaineer structure problems

71 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer cite structure, 18% of all 389 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
71
18% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2022Power train, Electrical system, StructureODI 11469915
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2020Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11307302
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2014Electrical system, StructureODI 10668824
“HELLO AND GOOD DAY, WHEN I 1ST PURCHASED MY MOUNTAINEER (PURCHASED USED WITH APPROX 119,000 MILES) I TOOK IT TO GET IT WASHED. WHEN I WAS GETTING IT WASHED THE REAR HATCH PANEL (THE RECTANGULAR PANEL UNDER THE GLASS WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL NAME) CRACKED AND BROKE APART. I TRIED TO CONTACT FORD AND MERCURY CONCERNING THIS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW PART OF THE CAR LITERALLY FELL OFF. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECALL THIS BUT THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $750! I DID RESEARCH TO FIND, LITERALLY, THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. PEOPLE'S REAR HATCH PANELS ARE FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING ALL THE TIME, I SEE IT ON THE ROAD ALOT. SINCE THE PANEL FELL OFF, THE RETAINING METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE REATCH HATCH CLASP IN PLACE TO THE DOOR, IT RUSTING OFF. THIS IS BECAUSE THE PANEL IS BROKEN OFF AND WATER/ICE HAS RUSTED THE AREA, WHERE USUALLY WATER AND ICE COULD NOT REACH IT. THIS SMALL PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. I AM CONCERNED THAT MORE OF MY REAR PANEL WILL FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I AM CONCERNED THAT MY REAR HATCH PANEL WILL COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING (THE CLASP…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2013Visibility, StructureODI 10547529
“MY MOTHER WAS AT HER PARENTS' HOUSE AND OPENED THE REAR GLASS PORTION OF THE LIFT GATE. UPON DOING SO, ONE OF THE LIFT GATE CYLINDERS DETACHED FROM THE GLASS. SHE WENT INSIDE TO GET HER FATHER TO COME OUTSIDE AND SEE IF HE COULD FIX THE ISSUE. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT THE GLASS, IT SHATTERED INSTANTLY LEAVING CUTS ALL OVER HIS BODY. I CALLED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THE RECALL THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I010000). *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2012Visibility, Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 10478865
“THE REAR HATCH HINGE BROKE AS I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE HATCH. THE HATCH THEN SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HEAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT INJURED - A LITTLE DAZED. MY LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE HINGE FOR $230. I CONTACTED FORD HQ SERVICE BUT THEY REFUSED ANY CONCESSION. I HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT IN JANUARY 2005, AND FORD REPLACED THE HINGE AT NO COST UNDER RECALL 04S20. OBVIOUSLY, THE ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT WAS NOT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 11, 2011StructureODI 10435261

Showing 6 of 71 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.