Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
Body : to much rust, corrosion, on rear of truck other failure or detachment of exterior body like rear gate frame components, and other structural components that may present a safety hazard. Electrical : electrical systems and items such asa wiring and cable on or inside the door, ignition switch cover detach ,instrument panel and gauges blinking that causes motors and actuators that power mechanical devices like (windows, sunroofs, seats, etc.) Generate some kind of electrical problem that may present a safety hazard. Power train :transmissions, transfer cases fluid hard to check ,electronic control units and shift lever inacurated, drive axles, hubs, shafts, differentials, CV joints star vibration that may present a safety hazard.
When approaching my vehicle (2002 Mercury Mountaineer) from behind, I noticed a crack in the center of the liftgate panel, beginning at the bottom of the window and extending to the handle. I researched this on the internet and found that it is a problem which has occurred in Ford-manufactured suvs, including the Mountaineer and explorer. I called the service manager of the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. He was familiar with the problem and stated that the panel will need to be replaced. Since there is no recall issued, there was nothing he could do. I then called Ford customer service and spoke to a person who told me that Ford could not provide assistance since my vehicle was out of warranty. Since this is an obvious defect in the product, I believe that Ford should issue a recall and cover the repair cost. …
Back lift shattered when closing, resulting in shattered glass in my hand, inside the car, on top of the car and all over the parking lot near other cars (everywhere) and brackets hanging from the wires on the top (it was raining outside!). I drove car to dealer who after initial questions and Ford approval then advised of recall and provided a replacement car during repairs but it took 6 weeks to repair. Amazing while the 6 week repairs of "waiting for parts" I got a recall notice in the mail (aug 05). After bothering the dealer to get the car back, I was called to pick up the car and I was told the "check engine soon light" is coming on! When I picked it up, I not only see the light is intermittent coming on, but my electric window switches are not working to put the windows up and down (except the front passenger works fine) and the driver seat belt is not retracting correctly! …
On cold mornings, the front windshield fogs/frosts up. Turning heat on and selecting defrost provides little to no air to windshield. Dealership identified it as a broken vent select door, requiring dashboard to be removed and part replaced, $1100 fix. In doing research on the vent select door - cars are designed that if the selector breaks that the air should default to the front defrost so that windshield would not fog/frost and cause a life threatening situation. Multiple times this has occurred while driving, all along believing that the fogging up was due to snow build up on outside vents. The fact that the vent broke and did not push air to the windshield is why I'm logging this complaint as it could have resulted in a life threatening situation. In reading the other entries, noting that I've had to have the rear coil springs replaced and had back liftgate replaced after cracking.
I own a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The tailgate developed a crack between the emblem and the rear glass lift. It was fixed once already and has since cracked again. Since this crack has developed, the door ajar light has come on. I have noticed the same crack in almost every Ford explorer and Mountaineer that I see. I contacted the dealer to have it repaired again and was told that they only cover the repair once. I don't feel I should have to pay out of pocket for an obvious manufacturing defect. I then contacted Ford and was told there is nothing they can do for me. Keep in mind, I have also had numerous visits for my transmission having issues from the beginning and I have also had issues with the cruise control where it suddenly "takes off" and goes really fast. Ford needs to stand by it's vehicles and fix them when there are obvious manufacturer defects!
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. When the contact attempted to close the rear hatch window, it suddenly exploded. She noticed that the rear driver's side window hatch had fallen off of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the contact was informed that the rear lift gate needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The current and failure mileages were 79,332. Updated 11/07/08 the consumer learned of recall #04V442000 but was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall.. The consumer was told the recall was related to the failure of the rear window brackets but also because of where the vehicle was manufactured. Updated 11/07/08.
Hit the remote control button to open the rear hatch for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The rear hatch opened only halfway automatically, as it is suppose to open further I pushed it up, without unusual force and the entire rear window shattered, and the encasement that held it hit me in the head rather hard. It is now without a window. This is the second window replacement. The first rear window was replaced in 2004 when, during a cold snap here in ny it spidered into a crack but did not shatter. When my husband took it to the dealer as it was still under warranty they argued at first, but then the phone started to ring and they decided it was an ongoing problem and design "flaw".
Dt: the caller said vehicle stalled without warning several times. She stated that it did start back up. She took the vehicle to the dealer three times. Dealer said they fixed it each time. She sent manufacturer a letter on the problem and other problems. Also, the caller stated that she had the ignition switch replaced, and now when she takes it out of park something pops. Dealer will not do anything else to help her with the ignition switch. The day time running lights did not stay on, the consumer heard wind noise coming from the vehicle, the cigarette lighter did not work, there was a popping noise when the consumer placed the vehicle into gear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate failed to latch securely on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated on one occasion while driving the vehicle, the lift gate ajar warning light illuminated. The contact's son went to close the lift gate and glass shattered. The contact hired a glass repairmen to fix the window for $250.00. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated NHTSA campaign number: 01i010000 (visibility) with the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was making sure all the doors of my 2002' Mountaineer were closed and when I shut the back lift gate one of the connecting brackets came out of place and caused the whole thing to shatter a spray glass in my face. I had glass stuck in my scalp and had to wash out my eyes for 4 hours as well as my hands and face being cut. I read on your website that this is a know defect by Ford, I contacted Ford on this and they basically told me since my car was out of warrenty they dont care and the part cost over $1200 to be replaced - because the way it was designed you cannot get just the glass I need body parts too. Pe04045.pco
NHTSA investigations
Rear liftgate glass assembly
Complaints report failure of the rear liftgate glass support while the operator is opening or closing the glass.the falling glass can strike the operator or bystander.the injuries reported are bruises to the head, neck or back, cuts to the face, arm or hand.on September 9, 2004, Ford notified the agency that it will recall approximately 955,732 my 2002 and 2003 Ford explorer and Mercury mountaineer vehicles to…
Body complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 19% of the model year's 372 complaints. The component named most often is body › hatchback/liftgate › hinge and attachments (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Mountaineer body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to body & structure 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.