Problems · by component

2004 Mercury Mountaineer structure problems

79 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer cite structure, 38% of all 210 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
79
38% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2017Electrical system, Structure, WheelsODI 11053938
“REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE HAVING THE WINDOW ONLY OPEN AND PUTTING AWAY GROCERIES. UPON CLOSING THE WINDOW, THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO ALMOST FALL OFF OF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS IN THE PARKING LOT, TO PUSH THE WINDOW BACK INTO THE FRAME AND HAVE IT LOCK AT THE CENTER LATCH. THE LATCH IS NO LONGER ENGAGED AND I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ON THE WINDOW TO CONNECT WITH THE LATCH. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO SO. THE WINDOW IS AT A POINT WHERE IT COULD FALL OFF OF MY CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR 2000-2003 VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD IS NOT CARRYING OVER THE RECALL TO 2004 STATING THE DEFECT IS NOT THE SAME (WITH THE DETAILS) AS THE RECALL ITSELF. IT IS STILL THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART! I AM OF SHORT STATURE AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PUSH THE WINDOW THE 1" OR SO TO GET IT INTO THE FRAME TO LOCK SUCCESSFULLY. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ADVICE BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I AM AT RISK OF HAVING THE WINDOW FALL OFF THE BACK OF MY CAR AND DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS NOTED FOR…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2016Structure, Unknown or otherODI 10862164
“THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED NEAR THE MERCURY EMBLEM. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE FORD WOULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2004. ONE STATED THE 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THAT FORD REPAIRED THOSE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL I SENT TO FORD. THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU CAN TELL IF YOU ARE BEHIND A 2004 EXPLORER OR MOUNTIANEER, THEY ALL WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRACK AROUND THE EMBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2016StructureODI 10840354
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT DISENGAGED AND THE GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF!..UPDATED 08/13/15 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2015StructureODI 10726806
“EVERY TIME IT RAINS, EVEN JUST A SPRINKLE, WATER COMES IN FROM TOP OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR/ROOF. IT ALSO COMES IN THROUGH THE DOME LIGHT AND VISOR. MY FLOORBOARD IS FLOODED WITH WATER. I HAVE TRIED TO USE A CAR COVER AND IT DOES NOT WORK. I CAN NOT AFFORD AT THIS TIME TO BRING INTO A DEALERSHIP. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO DESTROY THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2014StructureODI 10668551
“TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS THREE TIMES, PAINT COMING OFF, PASSENGER SEAT TRIM CAME OFF, CRACKED REAR LIFT GATE, PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR DOOR WINDOWS, AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WINDOW DO NOT WORK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2014Power train, Electrical system, StructureODI 10655142

Showing 6 of 79 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.

Other 2004 Mountaineer problem areas