2002 Mercury MOUNTAINEER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
372 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 260 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 89 of 372 complaints (23.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 105 | 28.2% |
| Braking behavior | 40 | 10.8% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 4.0% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 89 |
| Power Train | 38 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 23 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Structure:Body | 15 |
| Suspension:Rear | 15 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 89; Power Train: 38; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments: 23; Engine And Engine Cooling: 15; Steering: 15; Structure:Body: 15; Suspension:Rear: 15; Electrical System: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 34 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 73 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 55 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 56 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 73; 75,000 to 99,999: 55; 100,000 to 149,999: 56; 150,000 and above: 23
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (73). 112 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 32 |
| 2005 | 41 |
| 2006 | 30 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 35 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 14; 2002: 22; 2003: 21; 2004: 32; 2005: 41; 2006: 30; 2007: 28; 2008: 35; 2009: 46; 2010: 41; 2011: 14; 2012: 13; 2013: 3; 2014: 13; 2015: 7; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 105 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10022342 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 883 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041175 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER: WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DOWNSHIFTING FROM 4TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING IN LONGER DISTANCE IN CITY TRAFFIC. WE ARE AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE ALSO DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY WHEN COLD. WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE 20?S (20 DEGREES ON THE FAHRENHEIT SCALE) IT WILL ONLY GO BETWEEN 10-15 MPH UNTIL WARM. WHEELS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE SPINNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO MAKES A HOWLING NOISE (SOUNDS COMPUTER GENERATED) AT BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION W…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021402 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
THE FRONT END DASH HAS A VERY LOUD RATTLE WHILE LETTING UP ON THE GAS OR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES. THEY HAVE READJUSTED THE A/C LINES MANY TIMES, TIGHTENED ITEMS IN THE ENGINE, AND REPLACED A MISSING BOLT IN THE FIREWALL. IT WAS FIXED ONCE THAT LAST A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT THE NOISE IS BACK. IT WILL BE GOING IN THE SHOP FOR THE SIXTH TIME. ALSO, THERE IS A SQUEAK WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE AND THEY REPLACED THE BALL BEARING JOINTS. HOWEVER, THE SQUEAK IS BACK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032518 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE ABS HAD FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON HER TWICE AND SHE DROVE IT TO THE DEALER . SHE STATED THE FIRST TIME SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOME KIND OF A LEAK. THE SECOND TIME THEY DID NOT SAY ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL MAKING A THUMPING NOISE. *PH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A RIGHT INNER SEAL LEAK AND A REAR SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081527 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 883 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069577 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE SERVICE DEPT. STATES THAT THE WIRING IS BAD.AFTER REPLACING THE WIRING THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST.I'AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IF THE WIRING IS BAD THERES A CHANCE THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH A FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069577 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157273 · 2006-05-11 (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
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136572 · 2005-10-18 (October 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 VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141198 · 2005-10-29 (October 29, 2005)
2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER STALLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 27,798 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216918 · 2008-02-04 (February 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
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 753689 · 2001-10-25 (October 25, 2001)
I PURCHASED 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ON 08/31/01 AND IN LESS THAN A MONTH THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 09/26/01 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARKING THE ENGINE STARTED LEAKING FUEL AND EMPTYED THE TANK IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS THAT DAY AND O-RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 10/03/01 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, AND THIS TIME SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED ONE DAY LATER, AND THE REPA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 753689 at NHTSA ↗