Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I purchased a used vehicle from redefined auto sales located in skokie, il on 3/11/17. Since then I have spent over $1500.00 in cost for repairs on this vehicle, beginning with I had to get the oil changed the same day that I bought the vehicle because the change oil required light came on as soon as I exited the expressway, I almost got into a serious accident on the expressway in route from the car dealership because a motorist tried to cut me off and that is when I discovered that the horn was not working. The next day the power door locks stopped working and things just has went down hill since then, the vehicle is in the shop right now as I'm typing this, I have not driven the vehicle anywhere other than back and forth to repair shops. …
I heard a scraping noise in the right rear brake when backing out of the garage, similar to the sound given when brake replacement was required. I took the 2002 Mountaineer to a certified mechanic for brake replacement. When the right rear rotor was pulled the front parking brake pad fell out. On inspection the metal area that attached the pad to the brake mechanism rusted through, allowing the pad to fall freely into the drum. The mechanic said the pad scrapping the drum when I was backing out of the garage was the noise I was hearing and it rotated with the wheel. He said the car could not pass ny state inspection because the emergency brake would not hold the car when applied , rendering the brake unusable in an emergency ,and demonstrated that to me. My wife has driven the car 98% of the time since I purchased it new in January 2003. …
Of the many problems I've had since purchasing this vehicle, the latest takes the cake. Here's the skinny of all my problems, with the latest motivating me to report a complaint to the NHTSA. Hopefully, something can be done. Here's a website of others with the same transmission issue: http://www.carsurvey.org/cgi-bin/fix_comment.pl where do I start. I purchased this car with 38K miles and it's been a nightmare. First thing to go was a wheel bearing at 41K, got that fixed @ $200. Next to go @ 48K was the two calipers and new rotors on the front, cost $800. Next @ 52K was the A/C needed to be recharged, $150. Next @ 58K, the two calipers in the back has to be replaced, cost $300 (I found a good mechanic/friend). For the grand finale... I need to replace the transmission @ 61K, cost range from $1,800 to $3,400. I will fix it and dump it right away and sell it. A complete lemon!!! …
2002 Mercury Mountaineer AWD v8 - approximately January and May 2009 both rear hub bearings went bad at 87,000 and 90,000 miles , both sets of emergency brake shoes were disintegrated when taken off . Rear coil springs are broken . Front differential box has leaked for some time now . Rear end axle seal has been leaking for some time now . Going on 4th set of brakes on front . June 2010 at 109,000 miles transmission finally went out - after acting up from time of purchase at 37,000 miles - it would slip when put in drive at first morning startup and would jerk erratically at low speeds - we have never pulled anything with vehicle .
I purchased a vehicle on March 11, 2017 from a dealership named redefined auto sales in skokie, il. Since I have purchased this vehicle, I have spent over $1,500 in costs for repairs to this vehicle, beginning with I had to get an oil change on the same day that I purchased the vehicle because the change oil required light came on as soon as I exited the expressway in route from the dealership. Also, as I was en route from the dealership, on the expressway a motorist tried to cut me off and that is when I found out that the horn was not working. Things have just went downhill from there.
2002 Mountaineer stalls, transmission control assembly, main control valve, and gasket had to be replaced. The lift gate was sticking, and while closing it, the glass shattered, the glass was recalled, and was suppose to have been fixed. The oil light illuminated. The trim on the front door fell off while driving. There was a grinding noise coming from the rear wheels, it was determined that there was severe rust on the brake componets, the park brake shoes fell apart due to corrosion, the rear wheel bearing and knuckle assembly had excessive rust.
I purchased my 2002 Mountaineer on June 20, 2004. When I am driving and hit the speed of 75 MPH I hear a loud whistling sound and the only way to get rid of the noise is to reduce my speed to under 75 MPH. I have spoken with another person who owns the same SUV and he has the same problem only on a larger scale. He has had the weather stripping replaced twice and still the noise remains. I will be taking it in soon to have it checked over since I am also having another problem when I stop and apply the brakes (loud squeaking noise).
Changed front pads ( never opened bleeder)then had soft pedal, after that changed frond brake lines master cylinder, booster, ABS control unit and calipers still soft pedal. Then used snapon scan tool to perform brake bleeding in ABS control unit, still problem persisted, as of now still no luck (bleeding all 4wheels in factory specs have been perform/bench bleeding) still soft pedal.
ABS light has came on 4 times in 2 years I had the ABS sensor replaced every time the truck has only 35450 miles on it. I paid over $31000 for this truck and I have had more trouble with it than any truck I have ever had in the past.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer, transmission is bucking, over drive light flashing, check transmission light on. Also rotated tires, changed brakes, and had rotors cut yet there still is a pulsating felling in front end when stopping.
Brake complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 6% of the model year's 372 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Mountaineer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.