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 2003 Mercury Mountaineer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
See where several people are experiencing the same issues that I am having with my 2003 Mountaineer. The rear gate is cracking around the emblem. I've have reported this to Ford and they tell me I can pay to fix it and if there is recall they will reimburse me. In addition I am also experiencing the door ajar light coming on when all are shut and secure. I have contact Ford and several local dealerships. The dealership all tell me their hands are tied until Ford makes a decision and that I am not alone. Ford refuses to do anything. It's almost like they don't care. With all these complaints why isn't this agency doing something?
1) front wheel bearing hub assembly failure resulting in unsafe​ undriveable (this has been repeatedly​ reported by vehicle owners regardless of vehicles milage) failure accured while slowing down for a stoplight after exiting a parking lot of a restaurant 2) lift hatch cracked center of hatch above the emblem potentially allowing water into the interior working of hatch and causing untold and unseen water related damages​(this is an admitted Ford manufacturing defect across the entire vehicle​ line spending multiple years production)
Just like every other Mountaineer or explorer of this era the lift gate has cracked around the vehicle logo. This has caused problems including corrosion, rust, and locking mechanism failure on the liftgate. This problem can be seen on every single Mountaineer or explorer of this era. It's pretty ridiculous that Ford has not been forced to remedy the issue or done it voluntarily. It is clearly an engineering failure.
Not in an accident. A 1 1/2 inch vertical crack has appeared in the body between the middle of the back lift door under the window extending to the round Mercury symbol between the letters, r and the c. Did not notice until taking it through a car wash where I was warned it had to be covered.
The failure is for a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The failure is a crack in the lift gate that occurs right alongside the Mercury emblem or logo on the back of the tailgate or lift gate. This crack has been reported numerous times here and in online forums. To me seems like a deficiency or a defect in the material that makes up this panel that is a part of the lift gate glass and the tailgate as a unit'.. I would also like to add that the 2002-2006 Mercury mountaineers and the Ford explorer share this same tailgate with the same problem. Mercury and Ford are solely to blame for producing this faulty part of the tailgate or lift gate and should step up and recall them'.. I noticed my failure or crack in June of 2008 with less than 60K miles on it. I am an original owner since 2003. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing was replaced 3 times within 16 months. On October 1, 2008, while driving out of the driveway at an unknown speed, she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was not driven on dirt roads, only in the city. She feels that either the wheel bearing is defective or the Ford dealer did not properly correct the previous failures. The Ford dealer stated that the vehicle is out of warranty and the wheel bearing is only good for 12,000 miles. The manufacturer took a report and stated that they will forward her information to the dealer. From there, the dealer will determine if the vehicle will be repaired. …
Purchased the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer in 2007. We only drive the car locally for school and work and within 30 days of purchase, the car would not go into reverse. Was told the transmission was slipping and made the dealership/warranty pay for $1600 repair. Since then the check engine light comes on every 3 months. We get check fuel cap message, replaced that twice (last one from actual Ford dealership) because they told us it wasn't the original from the car. Car leaks water through the rear window/roof seal and now my light stays on when I lock the car and it tells me every time we get in the car that there is a door ajar no matter if we get out and reclose all 4 doors and back door. R&r wheel speed sensor and ball joints had to be replaced 8/29/08 for $555. …
I am having an issue with my hatchback. The emblem has a long and large crack on the left side of the emblem. I have noticed that there are several 2003 mountaineers with the same issue. I am afraid that the crack will cause the glass to break. I noticed when I bought the vehicle the dealership tried to repair the issue once therefore I felt that I should advise/complain about the failure to see if a recall or a bulletin would be placed on the vehicle to repair the issue with no recourse or recurring issue. I am not sure why this issue is occurring but I would like for this issue to be repaired at not cost to me because again I have found many mountaineers with the same issue and all have been 2003 so far. Please investigate and assist Ford/Mercury to produce a solution to the issue.
I am having an issue with my hatchback. The emblem has a long and large crack on the left side of the emblem. I have noticed that there are several 2003 mountaineers with the same issue. I am afraid that the crack will cause the glass to break. I noticed when I bought the vehicle the dealership tried to repair the issue once therefore I felt that I should advise/complain about the failure to see if a recall or a bulletin would be placed on the vehicle to repair the issue with no recourse or recurring issue. I am not sure why this issue is occurring but I would like for this issue to be repaired at not cost to me because again I have found many mountaineers with the same issue and all have been 2003 so far. Please investigate and assist Ford/Mercury to produce a solution to the issue.
I've been review this site and see where several people are experiencing the same issues that I am having with my 2003 Mountaineer. The rear gate is cracking around the emblem. I've have reported this to Ford and they tell me I can pay to fix it and if there is recall they will reimburse me. In addition I am also experiencing the door ajar light coming on when all are shut and secure. I have contact Ford and several local dealerships. The dealership all tell me their hands are tied until Ford makes a decision and that I am not alone. Ford refuses to do anything. It's almost like they don't care. With all these complaints why isn't this agency doing something?
Body complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, 39% of the model year's 152 complaints. The component named most often is body (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mercury Mountaineer body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. 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 2003 Mercury Mountaineer body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 2% 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.