VehicleVerdict

2002 Ford Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted18 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 6 complaints
Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Ford Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission844%
Visibility & Wipers211%
Speed Control211%
Other16%
Brakes16%
Steering16%
Suspension16%
Engine16%
Fuel System16%

Does the 2002 Ford Mountaineer have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V442000Body & StructureSeptember 13, 2004 · 955,732 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Consequence

IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING, HAD DEALER POWER FLUSH AND FILL TRANSMISSION AND REPROGRAM PCM THIS FIXED PROBLEM FOR 3 DAYS, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT ANYTIME SO REPAIRS HAVE TO BE DONE AT A COST OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 22, 2007

“I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I HAD TO HAVE MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FIXED. I LET IT DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IT THE 6TH ONE HE HAS HAD TO FIX IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT COST ME OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 20, 2006

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION/MAIN COMPUTER, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

“I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE SEEN WHERE MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL SUV HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR BEARINGS AS WELL. TO ME IT SEEMS IF EVERYONE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THESE BEARING THAT THERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 20, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE RESET BUTTON WAS PRESSED, IT TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 17, 2007

2002 Ford Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2002 Ford Mountaineer reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (8 complaints), speed control (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints).

Does the 2002 Ford Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Ford Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Ford Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.