VehicleVerdict

2002 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 504 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median Mountaineer year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 15 Mountaineer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 48 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 149 reports (30% of the total).

504

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

5

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

48

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted504 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 399 complaints1998: 298 complaints1999: 182 complaints2000: 164 complaints2001: 32 complaints2002: 504 complaints2003: 220 complaints2004: 271 complaints2005: 113 complaints2006: 153 complaints2007: 119 complaints2008: 156 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 24 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 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission14930%
Body & Structure7314%
Suspension428%
Visibility & Wipers357%
Engine357%
Brakes275%
Steering235%
Airbags204%
Electrical System204%
Speed Control184%
Other184%
Tires & Wheels143%
Fuel System82%
Latches & Locks82%
Seat Belts71%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Seats20%
Lighting10%

Does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

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

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

01V171000Tires & WheelsMay 24, 2001 · 52,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

01I010000Visibility & WipersApril 10, 2001 · 50,224 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. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Consequence

ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED.

Remedy

FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST BE RE-ALIGNED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE REVERSING IN LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED INTO A POLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PEDAL STUCK. THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS REMOVED AND THEN RE-SEALED. THE MAIN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 27, 2005 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD DETAILING HER VEHICLE, THE HOOD CAME DOWN ON HER WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. SHE WAS ADVISED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 3, 2008

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 16, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW AND THE HINGE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW FELL ONTO THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL RESULTING IN TWO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 27, 2011

“I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER ON 4/11/2011. AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE SAME DAY, I NOTICED SOME BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO MESSAGES THAT CAME UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER WINDOW SO I HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AS I LOOKED BACK UP FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 7, 2011 · fire

2002 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 504 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 15 Mountaineer years. It is one of the Mountaineer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (149 complaints), body & structure (73 complaints), suspension (42 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Mountaineer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mountaineer years to avoid are 2002, 1997, 1998, 2004. The cleanest record among Mountaineer years belongs to 1996.

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.