VehicleVerdict

2003 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2003 Mercury Mountaineer sits mid-pack among Mountaineer years: 220 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 156, with a single recall and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 62 reports (28% of the total).

220

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure6228%
Transmission4520%
Electrical System125%
Suspension125%
Engine115%
Speed Control105%
Brakes105%
Airbags94%
Visibility & Wipers84%
Other73%
Fuel System73%
Latches & Locks63%
Steering63%
Seats52%
Tires & Wheels42%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting21%
Child Seat10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND IT HAS A CRACK ON THE LIFTGATE THAT STARTS AT THE TOP IN THE MIDDLE, GOES AROUND THE MERCURY EMBLEM AND CONTINUES DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. I AM WORRIED THAT THE GLASS WILL FALL OUT OR BREAK ONE DAY WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR CLOSE THE TAILGATE. OR WILL THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 15, 2009

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC START, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO THE POLICE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 8, 2010 · crash

“UPON LEAVING WORK IN THE AM I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY DASH GAUGES WERE WORKING NOR WERE ANY OF THE ELECTRIC WINDOW OR THE RADIO. I THEN CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO ADV ME TO BRING IT TO HIM. WHILE I WAS EN ROUTE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO HIM IT STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE LIKE I WAS IN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 20, 2008 · fire

“RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. A 5 INCH LONG PIECE OF COIL SPRING WAS FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION CONFIRMED THE SPRING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NO CRASH OR DAMAGE HISTORY. THE BROKEN PIECE OF SPRING WAS CORRODED AT BOTH ENDS , INDICATING IT WAS CRACKED FOR A SIGNIFICANT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 2010

“THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND CONCERN WITH STALLED VEHICLE, SERVICED AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUE. *BF 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 19, 2003

2003 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mountaineer: 220 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (62 complaints), transmission (45 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.