3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,912 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #10

Aug 072013

Mountaineer

  • 92,123 miles
I've been review this site and see where several people are experiencing the same issues that I am having with my 2003 Mountaineer. The rear gate is cracking around the emblem. I've have reported this to Ford and they tell me I can pay to fix it and if there is recall they will reimburse me. In addition I am also experiencing the door ajar light coming on when all are shut and secure. I have contact Ford and several local dealerships. The dealership all tell me their hands are tied until Ford makes a decision and that I am not alone. Ford refuses to do anything. It's almost like they don't care. With all these complaints why isn't this Agency doing something?

- Gettysburg, PA, USA

problem #9

May 042012

Mountaineer 6-cyl

  • miles
Ford has a tsb on their website for the problems I am having with my vehicle. I contacted tyem and I was told that I have to pay for the repairs. What I do not understand is if there are sooo many complaint from consumers on this vehicle for the same issues is that not the responsibility of the manufacture being it considered a defective product? I have to children and this is of extreme concern to me that these issues on my car can cause an accident. -back trunk door is cracked down the latch. -the car doesn't shift correctly and tires seem loose -the overdrive light is blinking all the time and the transmission is signaling.. I have found so many websites with complaints about the same issues on 2003-2004 Mercury Mountaineer.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #8

May 292012

Mountaineer

  • miles
The word door ajar on my dash board keeps tell me that a door is open when all the doors are closed and I think thats why my inside lights and the lights on my outside mirras takes 15-20 min's to go off after I have alarmed the vehicle and when I get in to drive the lights should go off admedily but they dont.

- West Point, MS, USA

problem #7

May 292012

Mountaineer

  • miles
The inside dome lights and the lights on the outside side mirrors do not go off until 15 to 20 min's after it has been alarmed this has run down my battery I had to buy a new battery.

- West Point, MS, USA

problem #6

Jun 172010

Mountaineer

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving less than 40 mph, the dashboard illuminated and the vehicle lost all power. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer nor the dealer for repairs, diagnostic testing nor to report the failure. The current and failure mileages were 87,700.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 032010

Mountaineer

  • 60,000 miles
I have 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and I have had it since February 2007. I have had numerous problems with it and the last problems was the breaking point. I have three more years to pay for this vehicle and I want something to be done about the problems with this vehcile. Ford should be held responsible for this vehicle and fixing the problems associated with it. I purchased this vehicle from community Ford in new albany, ms in February 2007 with 45,000 miles on it. I couldn't get an extended warranty or any warranty with the vehicle I was told. After a year, I had to replace the front end and it was $500 at george's tire services. I took it in due to this noise coming from the front and I was advised that if I didn't have the work did it would lock up on me while I am driving and cause and accident. I noticed that my structure body:hatchback/tailgate has cracked completely. My seat belt on the driver side in the back don't work. My engine cooling system aircompressor has went out and I have electrical problems where my oil gauge is constantly saying it's low. I have my oil change every 3000 miles. I am hearing this noise in the rear of the vehicle and I don't know what it is and can't afford to get going to Ford to see what it is. I have been smelling this burning coming from the under the hood and I don't know what it is either. My lastest problem is my transmission is going out and I have had this vehicle for two years and I have three more years of payment on this vehicle. My transmission cost me around $3500 and I don't have any warranty on it. This is a lemon I have purchased and I think something should be done about it.

- Artesia, MS, USA

problem #4

Jun 262009

Mountaineer 8-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4.6L-V8: When the vehicle is not under acceleration [stop sign/signal, exiting an expressway to a surface street, coasting] the engine will not hold idle, then stall. The steering & brakes are compromised when the engine stalls. To restart the engine, the headlights go dark for a moment...this is a very serious matter. Decelerating from an expressway to a surface street, on a curved exit ramp, at night makes for an out of control situation where the driver can not see because of engine failure! I've replaced the throttle position censor [tps] with no improvement. The dealer offers replacement of parts $1500, and no guarantee of solving the problem. The vehicle is useless to me fore it is a hazard to be on the road...for me and anyone else driving near me.

- West Amherst, NY, USA

problem #3

Sep 012006

Mountaineer

  • miles
2003 Mercury Mountaineer transmission made a clunking sound, slid backwards and forwards while shifting into reverse. A/C blower motor made a humming sound. While driving the motor would misfire. While driving the consumer noticed that the dash light went out. The consumer attempted to correct the problem by turning the lighting switch. When the switch was turned the dash light came on but the headlights went out. The consumer's indicated that they sometimes hear popping sounds while driving, which seems to be of an electrical nature.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #2

Jan 132005

Mountaineer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
My 2003 Mercury Mountaineer would stutter and have a jerking motion like it was going to stall and it would do this at any given time. On the 13th of January I was taking my youngest daughter to school and my car started to stutter and then it just stalled on me I had a difficult time starting the car. I then took her to school and I shut the car off to walk her to her classroom and then got back into my car and when I put the key into the ignition and turned the key there was no power my car was dead I had to call the road side assistance number and had to wait an hour for a tow truck. I was told by the dealership that it was the instrument cluster head and it was fixed and I was not given a rental car and I only had this car 11 months. Well two weeks later as I was getting ready to make a left turn on a very busy intersection my Mountaineer stalled on me once again and all I could do was pray that it would start it took three tries to get it started and I drove it down the block to the dealership once again and made them take the car. Well they had my car for another four days and I was told once again it was the instrument cluster head. Then in February of 2005 the Ford dealership wanted to do a run down of my car to make sure it was fixed but low and behold I have to take my car back on April 5, 2005 for the same stuttering and stalling problem. I feel that this car is a lemon and unsafe for my family.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 192003

Mountaineer 8-cyl

  • miles
The problem persisted and concern with stalled vehicle, serviced and problem still continue. These problems elevated to vehicle stalling, the alternator was replaced, there were continuous occurrences of the battery fail/check engine indicator light, vibration when braking, and the torque converter locked. The consumer requested a new lease and or early termination of the lease.

- Wesley Hills, NY, USA