2002 Mercury Mountaineer review from North America

It started with a shudder while driving down slippery roads. When we took it to the dealership, they told us that everything on the computer checked out fine and that one of the new tires we recently purchased was bigger than the rest (even though the tires had the exact markings and size on everyone of them).

Then the o/d off light started blinking rapidly and the shifting was acting up. We took it to the dealership and this time they hooked it up to the computer and recommended changing the tranny fluid, even though it's not recommended to something like 150000 miles. Upon talking to two other certified mechanics, they said that it would be a waste of our time and money to change the fluid, and that something more was definitely wrong with it.

After taking it to a transmission shop, they told us the servo piston was worn out and it ruined the belts and drum. They said that nothing could have prevented it, and that it was common with these transmissions and cheaper parts. We called Ford and the dealership, and both said because it was out of warranty that we weren't going to see any help from them.

I can't believe after seeing all these postings on here that there hasn't been a recall or class action lawsuit on this.

I believe that for the money this vehicle is not worth it. The back hatch had to be fixed when it was two years old, and it still doesn't work like it's supposed to.

The back tailgate cracked from shutting it because of cheap parts.

The door hinges need to be constantly watched and tightened.

I will now be buying foreign, which is more american nowadays than the big 3 are anyways.