Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle has toyo open country at tires, size p22570r15 (na). The tires were purchased brand new in May of 2007 from jensen tire company while driving 15 MPH. At 36,000 miles, the rear passenger tire blew out in June of 2008. The repair shop stated that the tire was worn down to the steel. The tire company from where the tire was purchased is providing reimbursement for the failed tire. The remaining tires were inspected by other shops and each shop recommended that the rest of the tires be replaced. Toyo stated that the tires needed an alignment. The contact stated that an alignment had just been performed; however, the manufacturer advised her to have another one. While the vehicle was at the shop, the mechanic stated that the ball joints were defective due to the damage caused by the tires and needed to be replaced. …
While driving on a highway at about 65mph a loud bang was heard and my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer swerved to the right almost hitting another car. I thought I hit something on the road, but inspection revealed the right rear coil spring had snapped. Further inspection revealed the left side had also broken at some point. I researched the internet and found this to be a common problem. Here are two of the many links with owners expressing the same concerns. Http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1619655 , has two pages of this problem with explorers and mountaineers, http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_springs.html , talks about broken springs on all Ford models. I called my local dealer to inquire about this problem and was told this is the first they had heard of the problem, however they just happen to stock the parts to repair it. …
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.
Both rear coil springs were broken. Both had been weakened due to corrosion before they broke. This is a widely-known issue with this vehicle and I had been checking for this problem every couple months. I last checked in December of 2008 and neither spring was broken through and neither showed external corrosion at the time, but they must have been very deteriorated even then. My point is that a visual inspection with the wheels off did not reveal the problem before the springs broke. One of the broken springs has a split along the length of the spring wire several inches long and a complete failure roughly perpendicular to the wire. The other does not have the split; it is just broken in shear perpendicular to the wire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when vehicle began to drive as if were "floating". The vehicle was pulled over and upon examination; the contact could not find a failure within the vehicle. He re-entered the vehicle and as he began to accelerate, the vehicle began to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where the contact was informed that the rear passenger sway bar was fractured. The vehicle was then taken to another independent repair facility where the sway bar was repaired. The failure did not recur. The failure and current mileage was 101,000. Updated 01/11/2011 updated 03/28/11
Noticed slight roaring noise in rear suspension. Figured it was a wheel bearing that was worn, which is what it was, but in looking at that issue saw that rear passenger coil spring was broken. Vehicle stance did not indicate a broken spring. Checked the driver side to be safe and noted that rear spring was broken in two places and looked as if it was to come off the bottom spring/strut cushion. As a result of this mechanic indicated broken springs had created premature wear of rear toe links. I am currently looking for replacement parts. This vehicle has seen no off-road use or been used to carry heavy cargo loads. Lady driven only.
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 .
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH on normal road conditions. There was a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The vehicle resumed operation with caution to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to the front and rear control arm. The front and rear control arms were replaced. The failure mileage was 121,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Suspension complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 10% of the model year's 372 complaints. The component named most often is rear (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Mountaineer suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.