The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that she was opening the rear door when the rear lift gate window fractured and dropped on the contact's head. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the hinges from the lift gate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/08/13 the consumer stated only the lift gate hinges were repaired. The hydraulic lift would not raise fully. The crack around the Mercury medallion was not repaired.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

Rear hatch back glass body-side hinge broke on right side in normal opening of glass. Hinge is composed of a black plastic or nylon retaining clip with a metal pin. The plastic appears to have failed from fatigue. Recent high heat (100+ degrees for several days) may be a factor. Plastic broke through over the pin channel, allowing the pin to pop out. The glass is heavy and torqued by the remaining hinge and two hydraulic lifts. No injuries, but easily could have fallen, broke or shattered on the operator. The heavy glass is a danger especially to children or smaller adults. The operator fortunately had a wood slat in the back big enough to prop up the glass and support it until help arrived. Even with two adults it was hard to hold and control the glass to close it and take to the dealer. Retention clip really should have embedded metal reinforcement around the pin.(the larger Expedition appears to have just that in the equivalent part.) reading online there are many cases of similar failure that included damage and or at least minor injuries. Repair was $270 at a Ford dealer. Appears to be common enough failure to be a design flaw not to be repeated. Admittedly this appeared on a high mileage nine year-old vehicle which has otherwise provided very good service, but the weight of the falling glass and torque involved were both dangerous and could easily have resulted in serious injury. Operator felt lucky to catch and control it without breaking the glass or getting hurt.

- Clear Lake, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the center piece emblem of the hatch back started to fracture. The vehicle was previously repaired with a new hatch back door approximately two years prior to the recent failure. The vehicle had not been inspected since the recurrence of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Updated 04/26/12 updated 05/10/12

- Richmond, VA, USA

Came out one morning to discover the rear hatch had a crack around the emblem of my 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Car was parked in driveway and was not hit or involved in an accident. Started noticing that every Mercury Mountaineer of the same body type had similar cracks in the same location. Contacted Ford but did not have VIN #. eventually contacted Ford again with VIN # and was told there was no recall and that Ford was not accepting any responsibility. I told Ford that it is an obvious defect to no avail. I will never buy another Ford product if this is how they treat their customers. This should be a recall and Ford should repair this defect. The value of my car has decreased because of this. I got a $500 estimate to repair it but was told it would probably happen again.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

2004 Mercury Mountaineer, rear hatch molding with Mercury emblem. Two winters ago the molding cracked after a very cold freeze. Vehicle was under warranty and the entire hatch had to be replaced. Dealer had vehicle 3 or 4 days as new hatch was sent out to a local body shop to be painted, matching the vehicle color. Now, the same molding has begun de-laminating from the hatch. Dealer states hatch has to be replaced and will cost $1000.

- Fairless Hills, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated the lift gate glass hinge disengaged and impacted her ability to drive. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

- Mendota, IL, USA

The rear panel is cracked around the logo of my Mercury Mountaineer. I see this on most other Mountaineer and Explorer from this generation and Ford has done nothing to remedy it.

- Evans , GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed that there was a large crack on the rear lift-gate door panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000. The current mileage was 98,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Anniston, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that there was a hairline fracture below the rear window near the rear liftgate latch. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the defect. The failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Deep Run , NC, USA

I own a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. About a week ago I noticed a crack in the rear liftgate panel of my vehicle. The crack curves around the Mercury logo located on the rear panel. I contacted the dealer and he said Ford is very aware of this problem and he repairs many cracked liftgates on Ford/Mercury SUV's, especially in the winter due to expanding and contracting of plastic. It is almost halfway down the back and am afraid that the window will pop out while driving and cause an accident or injure someone. It is a safety hazard. Ford needs to recall these vehicles and fix this problem. It should not be the responsibility of the consumer, since it is a defect of the SUV.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Rear back panel cracked. Was parked in garage for 2 days, temp was -15F low/22F high. Fine one day, cracked rear panel (around the rear hatch window). Dealer states no recall, see this all the time. $500 to fix.

- Elk River , MN, USA

I own a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Recently, I found the back panel to the liftgate near the emblem is completely cracked. This is causing a safety concern for me on the road as it could be dangerous to myself and others while driving. I contacted Ford and they refuse to recall this product. Hundreds of similar complaints can be found online and by service mechanics.

- River Falls, WI, USA

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments - the left hinge on the liftgate on my 2004 Mercury Mountaineer fractured, causing the glass liftgate to swing out. The right hinge held but shows corrosion. This appears to be the same issue in NHTSA campaign 04V442000 for model years 2002 - 2003. The liftgate is no longer operational. I have not yet replace the parts.

- Leominster, MA, USA

Rear lift gate on 2004 Mercury Mountaineer would not close. Noticed hinge attachment for glass looked as though it was falling off. Gate would not close and is damaged.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

The failure is for a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and the failure is a crack in the lift gate that occurs right alongside the Mercury emblem or logo on the back of the tailgate or lift gate. This crack has been reported numerous times on online forums and to me seems like a deficiency in the material that makes up the lift gate or tailgate. (I.e. - the logo is so big and the material around the logo emblem so thin that it cracks under pressure and change in temperature) I would also like to add that I have been told that the Ford Explorer has a recall for this exact type of problem, yet Mercury has yet to issue a recall for the Mountaineer. The vehicles that have incurred this type of problem have been around the same years (2004-2006 models - or at least the vehicles that I have seen this problem occur in.) 1. the events that have led up to this failure includes: Mercury and Ford are solely to blame for producing a faulty tailgate or lift gate on these vehicles and should recall them. The change in temperature along with average usage of shutting or closing the tailgate would cause a vibration to promote the tailgate to crack. I noticed my failure or crack in mid-August of 2008, I've owned my vehicle since 2004 but it has been garaged all of those years except for last year, which could explain why it happened last year (change in temperature more severe). 2. I have noted how the failure occurs, its consequences include a crack in the lift gate of the vehicle, which is aesthetically non-appealing, and this could lead to a larger crack in the lift gate that could eventually cause major problems for the vehicle. This crack (which is not minor, 3 - 5 inches usually) could also reduce or lead to compromising the vehicles structural integrity and reduce crash test ratings. This is a big concern for your safety. 3. I personally spent over $400 to replace the entire lift gate. I should be reimbursed and Mercury should recall this problem.

- Plentywood, MT, USA

Crack appeared in body of vehicle in the back above and around the Mercury emblem. It contracts and expands depending on the temperature. There was no crash, impact or anything that caused this failure. It is a defect in the body. The consequences of this are the inability to use the hatch, the repair bill and the depreciation of the vehicle.

- Edmond, OK, USA

2004 Mercury Mountaineer rear window panel cracked and hinges will not stay tight. Ford dealer said this is a common problem but Ford will not repair if vehicle is not under warranty. Vehicle has 53,000 miles but I had dealer check vehicle while it was under warranty and they said all it needed was adjusting.

- Clio, AL, USA

Crack on rear hatch from top of hatch down and around the emblem (under the rear window). Vehicle is a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer with 75K miles.

- La Grange, NC, USA

Crack at Mercury emblem on back panel glass section. This suddenly appeared. Was advised by local Mercury dealership, northpark Lincoln Mercury that there is no recall. Also had this examined by a bodyshop and was told it appeared to be a defect.

- Bulverde, TX, USA