Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mercury Mountaineer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving, the vehicle slid on ice. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, chest, lower and upper back, abdominal, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.
While driving to work one morning all I here was ding ding ding od/off started flashing . Sec later check transmission light came on now when I drive putting foot on the paddle to go it will idle up I release and it will shift n go. Aamco saying that I need a rebuilt tranny that's bs with all what I have been reading it's just a rip off I don't have $3500 to get this fix. Now seeing not once not twice so many complaints I read that people paid for 2 or more tranny for the vehicle's and nothing is been done about it. And the Ford deals knows about it..... Do a human being has to lose their life before Ford dealer's can own up to there responsibility? If they was in our shoes they would want the same thing vice verse they say u reap what you sow. Please please please help up just fix our transmission that's all.. …
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was in two accidents and the airbags did not deploy. In the first accident which occurred in July 2005, the vehicle was stolen when the accident occurred and the airbags did not deploy. The second accident in October 2006, the vehicle was hit at an intersection and the airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle ran a red light at 50 MPH when it impact the vehicle which was immobile. The other vehicle flipped over and there were three injuries. There were no injuries in the contact's vehicle. The airbag warning light was not illuminated prior to, during or after the accident. The vehicle was inspected by the service dealer after the first accident who determined there were no problems with the airbags. The vehicle has not been to the service dealer after the second accident. A police report was filed.
While driving on a straight road going 20-25 MPH, my driver and passenger side/curtain airbags deployed for no reason. I pulled over and called my insurance company still confused as to why this happened. They informed me to call Ford and report it and cut the airbag enough to see. With no luck on getting help from Ford or my insurance company, I'm now dealing with failing inspection due to my airbag light. I feel this is a manufacturer problem as I haven't made any modifications to the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. On April 15, 2007, the contact's daughter was involved in a crash while driving 10 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. Her daughter suffered a mild concussion and received headache medication from her doctor. The vehicle's hood and fender were damaged. The dealer currently has the vehicle. A police report was filed. The current mileage was 66,246 and failure mileage was 65,246. Updated 02/01/08.* lj
Dt: the contact's vehicle was involved in a head on collision with a tree while driving at 45 MPH. Upon impact, the front air bags did not deploy. There was one injury reported. The insurance company was notified and a report was taken. The manufacturer was contacted. They requested that the vehicle be delivered to them for analysis. The insurance company had already taken the vehicle. A police report was taken. Updated 12/19/05.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving between 10-20 MPH, the contact swerved to avoid a dog in the road. The vehicle accelerated down an incline into some small trees. The contact sustained injuries to her back and struck her mouth against the steering wheel. The vehicle was destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving 10 MPH, the front end of the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle traveling 70 MPH. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. A police report and pictures are available. The current and failure mileages were 101,200.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer v8 AWD 4.6 transmission failure. Vehicle had under 60,000 miles, but had surpassed extended warranty time frame. Reverse vehicle would not move. Shifted very hard through gears. Sometimes tacking at 3000 RPM. Took to a transmission specialist. Repaired at a cost of 2600.00. Have since returned vehicle to same place for same issues plus transmission overheat light and leaking transmission fluid. Seat belts locked down for no reason. Would not retract. Called dealer, could not do anything because I was over restraint warranty by 3000 miles. Have replaced all 4 seat belt restraints. Front air bag light stays on or blinks, or is off. Called dealer, stated repair would not be covered due to mileage. I purchased this vehicle brand new June 2002. Today it has 65,00 miles on it. Is driven primarily on the highway for vacations. …
The side air bags in my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer deployed for no reason. Although no one was seriously injured because the car was traveling at less than 5 miles per hour at the time, this could have been a serious situation. Ford's response has been less than satisfactory. Despite the fact that I prompltly notified Ford of the incident, no one at Ford's consumer affairs department has contacted me to investigate the problem as promised. In fact, when I called Ford on March 1, 2003 to follow-up, a telephone representative informed me that Ford's computer records show that a consumer affairs agent had contacted me on February 27, 2003. I received no such call and I am still waiting to hear from an agent from that department. In addition, Ford did not authorize the service department of my dealership to examine the vehicle until Friday, January 28, 2003.
NHTSA investigations
Mis-assembled airbag clockspring
In July 2001, Ford issued a special service message announcing that some air bagclockspring devices May produce noise when the steering wheel is turned full left or right.Ford was aware that some clocksprings May have been improperly installed.the improper installation May also cause an open circuit and the air bag warning light to illuminate.starting with vehicles produced in September 2001, Ford adding length to…
Airbag complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 5% of the model year's 372 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Mountaineer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Mercury Mountaineer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.