6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$550
Average Mileage:
64,400 miles
Total Complaints:
58 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (24 reports)
  2. replace panel (18 reports)
  3. default in design, recall and fix (10 reports)
  4. ford should issue a recall and fix them all! (6 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Mercury dealer.

problem #58

May 102010

Mountaineer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Do Not buy the mountaineer! Transmission was slipping and needed rebuilt. 2 years later, same problem (torque converter). Transfer case was also defective. As was the computer, the front end bushings, EGR Valve and Mass Air Flow Sensor, all within a month of each other. If you are thinking of buying one of these, run!

- Dwayne R., Troutville, US

problem #57

Apr 052006

Mountaineer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,487 miles

How come the company wont fix this? I see a lot of cars have the same issue with the tailgate cracked and following off...it seems to me that the company would recall and fix this. Or give a discount on fixing the problems and not waiting until the pieces fall off and try to find the part to replace...

- Evelyn C., Elgin, SC, US

problem #56

Jan 012005

Mountaineer LX V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

The rear panel (left Gate) is cracked. It's a D--- shame that Mercury /Ford know there is a problem and won't step up and fix this problem. In today's world with so many auto's to choose from you would think that they would want to keep their customers going back. This is one that WILL NOT be back.

- usmc, Michigan City, IN, US

problem #55

Oct 142009

Mountaineer Limited 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I'll just like to say that when everyone is singing the same tune about a situation there must be definitely honesty and truthfulness aboard. Ford should realize this and do as God would expect them to do unto their customers. Ford knows that there's a problem with the panel cracking and also other defects going on. The Bible says do unto others as you like done unto you. Come on Ford, you wouldn't like it if the shoe were on the other feet. How can you sleep of rest peacefully? When the consumers,customers are responsible for your success. This is how you appreciate your customers who has given you their trust and confidence in your company and to help you strive to a none failing future?. Again, come on Ford, do what's right.

I've had this problem with my 2004 Mercury Mountaineer since 2009 and haven't had the money to have it fix. Now the question is, is it fair to myself and to other customers to suffer for something that's not my nor their fault? Have a heart and do what's right. Never bite the hand that feeds you. I have a legal complaint here.

Please, to whom it may concern accept this into consideration. I'm not here to judge anyone but to only bring the facts before you that I have experience with the defect. Personally. I truly believe that the Ford logo and it's business itself will standout among other companies and gain more respect and rewards by just showing that they are also in the marketing of doing what's right and to uphold satisfaction.

Thank You. Sincerely, Yours Truly, Nathan Poole, Sr. Americus, Ga.

- nathanpoole, Americus, GA, US

problem #54

Jan 012008

Mountaineer AWD V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Seems like every Explorer and Mountaineer has this problem. An obvious defect. Shame on you Ford for not addressing this!

- Louis V., Andover, MA, US

problem #53

Feb 152015

Mountaineer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

The back tailgate on my car is totally cracked allowing water to penetrate into the car. This needs fixed!

- sherrywv, Hurricane, WV, US

problem #52

Oct 252008

Mountaineer 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

The manufacturer should have this problem solved its really stupid to have crack rear panel when you drive around

the town then you see other SUV have same problem. the car maker should recall this type of problem people has it is stupid to that crack rear panel.we pay so much money for vehicle and the manufacturer not going to do something about this kind of problem. If I know this on the first place I would not buy this car.

- Robert D., Graham, NC, US

problem #51

Jan 012014

Mountaineer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles

Cracked back panel has happened to me 3 damn times 2010, 2011, 2014 I live in frigid cold Wi bought the vehicle brand new. I have taken good care of my baby. The 1st time I noticed the back panel cracked I called my insurance company I had no idea what caused this. So they fixed it. I was told by the mechanic this is a common problem it occurs by moisture building up in the panel causing it to expand & despan ~~~BOOM LOVELY CRACK~~~ here comes next winter BOOM LOVELY CRACK AGAIN this time it was covered by the warranty ok this crap is beyond annoying. So a few more years go by no problems until BOOM LOVELY CRACK has yet returned again I call the dealership that had fixed it they conveniently don't have the paperwork & don't know if it is covered because they sold the dealership now it's war I dig up my paperwork I could only find the paperwork from my in tial claim I tracked down the body shop guy because I know he'll remember me saying I got a Crack in the back & need it fixed he is still there and remembers me but now it's a sticky situation because the lifetime guarantee only covers their work they were trying to blame Ford so OMG I call my insurance they are now saying they never should have fixed it to begin with this ajuster was being rude. So I say I want highway safety #s and also ford how in the heck do you make someone have a recall hmm maybe there needs to be deaths in order to get this recalled I know if it happened to me 3 xs I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'm worried the panel wI'll just fly off and crash into someone's window. I argue with ford their bs reply was it's cosmetic & my vehicle is out of warranty. Highway safety blah blah something took a note big deal. All in all the Crack is still there if anyone could answer how we can make ford force a recall I'm all in.

- Christina M., DeForest, WI, US

problem #50

Oct 122011

Mountaineer LX 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I'd say most Mountaineer's or Explorers in my body style that I've seen suffer from this rear cracked panel. Body shops say it is more than common and the regularity they have seen it should make it a defect to be covered.

- Connor P., Mineola, NY, US

problem #49

Apr 122006

Mountaineer Premier V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

Every car I see has the same problem, it should be fixed by Ford.

- marra, Secaucus, NJ, US

problem #48

Nov 112014

Mountaineer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

The Life Gate was damaged by closing the door. This should not have happened.

- Cheryl N., Fremont, CA, US

problem #47

Nov 012009

Mountaineer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

almost every older ford suv that I see has the cracked rear panel

- Carl L., Cleveland, OH, US

problem #46

Jan 222008

Mountaineer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Not only did the back panel crack, the hinges broke on the rear hatch and almost killed my wife.

The paint job sucks and I have replaced the transmission solenoid pack twice myself.

- Jim T., San Diego, CA, US

problem #45

Oct 212012

Mountaineer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,645 miles

for what you pay for these cars you should not have these problems and there have been a lot. thanks

- dibill, Beallsville, PA, US

problem #44

Jun 122005

Mountaineer Sport WG V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

FORD WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IN WARRANTY. I HAD A 2002 MOUNTAINEER AND THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN MY WIFE CLOSED THE HATCH. FORD FINALLY PAID FOR THAT 2 YEARS AFTER THE FACT. THIS TIME THE WON'T PAY. I KEEP THINKING THE WINDOW WILL BLOW OUT ON THE 2004.

- robertsonelect, Wills Point, TX, US

problem #43

Jan 072010

Mountaineer Premier 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Ford should have paid to replace this rear panel! Cracked around the Company logo and extended the entire height of panel.

- jimlarimore1951, Louisville, KY, US

problem #42

Nov 162009

Mountaineer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

The back panel is cracked! There needs to be a recall, I've seen many vehicles with this same defect!

- Angelia S., South Holland, IL, US

problem #41

Jun 162011

Mountaineer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

We had the panel replaced when it was still under warranty and a couple of years after that it cracked again. We have not had it replaced since.

- agman, watertown, NY, US

problem #40

May 122010

Mountaineer Premier V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

Not long after we purchased our Mountaineer the paint started peeling of the roof and driver side door. Then the tailgate cracked and rust started to appear near the passenger side rear wheel well. An estimate to repair the above was about $3,000.00. We can not afford to have it repaired so it is still unrepaired and getting worse.

We have had to replace axle seals, and differential seals at least twice, one rear wheel bearing. We have, on two occasions, had to have the transmission repaired.

We have heater/air condition circulation problems; and now all the electric windows can only be controlled from the drivers' side door panel.

I feel this vehicle should have been recalled for the above problems and repaired at factory expense.

I'm not so sure we can remain loyal Ford product owners.

- davidpiowa, Harlan, IA, US

problem #39

May 062014

Mountaineer ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

I have had to replace the rear hatch panel twice for cracks. What's going on?

- allbrittonfl, Vero Beach, FL, US

Read the next 20 complaints »