2002 Mercury Mountaineer from North America - Comments

Hello from Gibsonville, NC. I was considering the purchase of a Mountaineer to pull my jet ski, but now after reading the comments here, I think I will just keep working on my super reliable Mazda b4000 2wd pickup. Or maybe get a pathfinder...4runner??? I like the mountaineer's looks and the features, but don't think I would want to shell out thousands of dollars to keep replacing transmissions... come on Ford, get it together! How can you build the awesome f150 but have these types of issues with the Mountaineer???

I purchased my 2002 Mountaineer in September, 2001. It was in the dealer’s shop several times due to a shuddering problem when shifting. I was told that it was a combination of an engine (coil) problem and a transmission problem. I finally got fed up when the car reached 35,500 miles with continuing problems. Since the car was about to go off warranty, I left the car at the dealer and told them to keep it until it was repaired. They kept it for 23 days. The service manager drove it home at night after each “repair.” When I got it back, it ran well.

Now, at 74,000 miles, I am having problems again with the transmission “shuddering.” I took it in a month ago and paid $50 for a computer check and was told that everything was fine! I took it back yesterday and a mechanic with a diagnostic computer rode with me and gathered data on the problem. I am scheduled to bring the car in for transmission repair. My plan is to get the car repaired and then get rid of it. I love the car except for the transmission problems. I was planning to buy another Mountaineer or Explorer, but I do not want to go through this again. (By the way, I love my 1999 Ford F-150 and have spent less than $100 in repairs in 7 years.)

We have owned our 02 Mountaineer for 4 yrs. The transmission has been slipping since the beginning and every dealer has said reprogramming it will fix it. Now 4 yrs later and a third dealership, we have moved twice while owning it, the vehicle needs a new transmission. We also have replaced ball bearings.

We previously owned a Windstar and went through 2 blown head gaskets and a transmission, only one head gasket covered under recall. Now with the transmission issue with the Mountaineer we have just about had it with Ford/Mercury vehicles. We also own a couple of foreign cars and haven't had any problems.

Just wanted to comment on my 2002 Mountaineer's transmission failing at only 31,000 miles! Since it's out of the 3 year warranty, it's costing us over $3000 for an entire transmission replacement. I will never buy Ford again!

I have owned a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer and front the second year of ownership I have had nothing, but problems with the tranny. The dealer could never find the problem. Seat problems, bad window motor, a/c problem, wheel bearing issues and now brake problems... which I just paid over $400 dollars and still having the same issue! Please stay away from this junk!

I have owned my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer since November 2004, it had 48,000 miles on it. I began having the shudders in the transmission not too long after I got it. I took it to the Mercury dealer and they "reprogrammed" the transmission at the cost of over $100, which did nothing for the problem. Anyway after other people checking it out we finally decided to change the fluid in the transfer case. We replaced it with Mercon 5 synthetic fluid. This did fix the shuddering problem. The vehicle now has 62,000 miles on it.

I purchase my Mountaineer new in 2002. From the beginning the transmission has made noise. The noise increased at about 65 MPH. The dealer made "programming" changes to correct the noise. I did purcahse a 100K warranty with the vehicle. The problem resurface at 96k and the dealer said it was just a programming adjustment. At 101K the transmission died. The dealer wanted $4500 to replace the transmission.

I have purchased six Ford trucks for over the past 15 years. I drive about 50K per year.

My next purchase will be from Japan. Ford Motor needs to wake up,,.......... A proud but, disappointed American

I own a Mercury Mountaineer 2002. This is the text of a letter I sent to Mercury, minus the name of the dealer and dealer rep.

In October 2005, my SUV required a new transmission at 44,483 miles, after being out of warranty, costing $3400. I had voiced concerns about the rough nature of the gear shifting and slipping while it was under warranty, but was told it was "normal." After paying for the repair, I inquired about contacting Mercury about a partial refund, as it is unusual to need a new transmission at 44000 miles. Rather than tell me to talk to the dealer's service manager, I was given the 800 toll free number, and the operator said there was nothing she could do. After making some Internet inquiries, I was ultimately routed back to the dealer's service manager. This all took more than several weeks. He talked with Mercury and refunded $1000., which I finally received in December 2005. I suspect the transmission was failing prior to being out of warranty, and repair was purposely delayed till after warranty expired.

Next problem- The rear differential required work at 51640 miles, requiring a new bearing and seal kit- which I took to a private transmission repair shop- and cost $695.

Thus I've spent $3000 in repairs on equipment that prematurely and inappropriately failed. I've emailed Mercury, asking them to reimburse me 50% of the total cost- a total of $1500. (I understand they are unlikely to do this.)

Prior to the Mountaineer, I owned a Ford Explorer. Rest assured I will never buy another Ford or Mercury product, nor will I encourage anyone else to do so.

Where do I start. I purchased this car with 38K miles and it's been a nightmare. First thing to go was a wheel bearing at 41K, got that fixed @ $200. Next to go @ 48K was the two calipers and new rotors on the front, cost $800. Next @ 52K was the A/C needed to be recharged, $150. Next @ 58K, the two calipers in the back has to be replaced, cost $300 (I found a good mechanic/friend). For the grand finale... I need to replace the tranny @ 61K, cost range from $1,800 to $3,400. I will fix it and dump it right away. A complete lemon!!! It should be reported to the NHTSA for an investigation.

Transmission Shudder:

I own a 2002 AWD Mountaineer w/76,000 miles. Up until this past month I have been thrilled with the vehicle. Unfortunately, the vehicle is experiencing the dreadful shudder. I had the Trans fluid replaced once and now power purged and replaced w/Mercon V. To no avail the shudder returns when driving for 30 minutes or more. I was preparing to trade in my other car to buy a Fusion, but now must delay this purchase because of the transmission issue. Is it possible that the shudder is not a transmission issue, but a throttle sensor, or something else?

I purchased my 2002 V8 AWD Mountaineer in May 2003 with only 29,000 miles on it. Thank God I also purchased the extended warranty. I have had JUNK cars that required less repairs than this vehicle. Here is a list of repairs I have needed along with the PM since purchasing this SUV.

6/3/03 - ABS light staying on. ABS Sensor and EGR Pressure sensor needed to be replaced. Also needed new battery for the key fob. Warranty did cover this.

9/4/03 - Had the 30,000 mile PM done thinking if I kept the car maintained based on the dealers recommendations I would avoid costly repairs down the road. Unfortunately that has not been the case.

10/1/03 - Check engine light was on - replaced fuel cap assembly. Covered by warranty.

11/11/03 - Low oil pressure light comes on. Replace oil pressure sending unit. Covered by warranty.

3/11/04 - Compass reading as if I live in the southern hemisphere. Re-calibrated compass. Had complete oil and lube service done and tires rotated.

6/30/04 - ABS light staying on again. Replaced rear ABS sensor again. Had complete transfer case service, front and rear differential service, and complete oil and lube service as recommended by dealer.

11/22/04 - Complete oil and lube service performed. Had a front end wheel alignment because I bought all new tires. Had to replace both rear axle seals because fluid was leaking.

11/30/04 - Driver door will not latch when car is cold. Replaced driver door latch. Covered by extended warranty minus deductible.

3/29/05 - Compass reading southern hemisphere again. Replace compass. Replaced back lift gate hinge-mfg recall. Complete oil and lube service. Replaced heater hose and clamps because it had rubbed on manifold.

8/22/05 - No brakes. Left rear brake hose has rubbed on sway bar link causing it to leak. Replaced hose at caliper and copper washers at caliper connection. Also did a complete brake system flush. While they were repairing the brakes they discovered that both rear coil springs were broken and also my rear shocks and mounting hardware were very rusty and needed to be replaced. This repair cost me $1013 after my extended warranty coverage. Also had a complete oil and lube service done.

8/7/06 - O/D Off light flickering. Check transmission message coming on. ABS light has been on for a couple months. I need all new brakes and rotors and one of my emergency brakes has disintegrated. I did not even sense that the brakes were bad, but was told Ford does not put squealers in to warn you your discs have worn out. Last, but not least I need a new transmission! My extended warranty is covering it, but not the 4 bolts that are rusted which mount the transmission. It will be $218 for labor to get them out and replaced. I have experienced the shudder everyone is talking about from day one, but at the time I mentioned it was told it is normal shifting. I drive this vehicle to and from work (30 hi-way miles RT). We have only pulled our Jayco pop-up tent trailer twice with this vehicle. I have never taken it off road driving. Based on the comments everyone else has about the tranny, I am going to trade this money pit in on a Toyota or Honda. I only hope I can get a decent trade-in as I still owe about $8000 on the car.

All I can say is WOW! It is 2:00pm in the afternoon and I am due to go pick up my Mountaineer before 8:00pm from having some transmission work done. Originally I was told that they would need to replace the Transmission due to Torque Converter being shot. Once the car was in the shop they realized it was in fact it was the selonoid that was bad causing the transmission to misbehave. According to the dealership that I go to they say that Mercury/Ford has finally realized that there was a design problem with the selonoid thus they have changed it. My complaint that got us to this point was shifting hard and a muffled kinda echoey kinda noise. They assure me that this will fix it. I will absolutely write back letting everyone know how it goes. Before I go though I have to say I love this car.

I purchased a used 2002 Explorer (55,000 miles) with all hopes of reducing the amount of maintenance that I was performing on my previous '94. Problems from day one. Ford said they performed a multiple point safety inspection prior to selling it to me. Only a few weeks into owning it, the entire steering rack had to be replaced and the power driver's seat failed. I went back and forth to Ford four times before they finally figured out both problems. I brought it to another dealership to diagnose a humming from the front end. They suspected a bad wheel bearing. They also found both rear springs broken and a leaking axle shaft seal. I replaced the bearing myself and have since done all the brakes and rotors. I haven't done anything about the seal or springs yet. Now the transmission is shot. I drained some of the fluid and it came out looking like brown metallic paint. I've only put 15,000 miles on it since I bought it and I am tired of putting so much of my own time into it. I can't wait to get rid of this Explorer and I'll never buy another. I should have done more research before I bought this nightmare.

I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer I purchased in 2004. It had 36,000 miles on it when purchased. Now a little over 2 years later and at 50,000 miles, I have a blown head gasket. The vehicle started to overheat so we replaced the thermostat. Two days later, it was overheating and upon acceleration, the vehicle would hesitate really bad. I overheated so bad I needed to be towed home. When our mechanic friend looked at it he told us that the head gasket was blown and it all started in the cooling system. The freeze plug has been leaking for sometime and it caused many other severe problems. We were told that this engine has 4 timing chains and just to replace a head gasket, would be about $5000.00 in labor. It would be cheaper to get a new engine. How ridiculous is this. I am so frustrated right now I don't know what to do with this lemon...

I've just purchased the 2002 Mountaineer used here in Canada (BTW it is not sold in Canada), it orginated in florida. It has 100k.

Less than a week after picking it up, transmission problems occurred. After speaking to a former Ford master mechanic, he says this is a common/known problem (at least in Canada) on these vehicles and that replacing the trans. valve body/solenoid pack is the proper repair and not the transmission or fluid replacement.