2004 Mercury Mountaineer Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  36
• Driveline › Differential unit
  4
• Driveline
  3
• Driveline › Driveshaft
  2
• Axle assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1019%
• 25k–50k
  1121%
• 50k–75k
  1223%
• 75k–100k
  1019%
• 100k–150k
  917%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mercury Mountaineer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

This vehicle is has a power train problem from day one with the 5R55S/W transmission and AWD transfer case. I purchased this vehicle where it stranded my family over 200 miles from home and it's a non running car. This vehicle should have been removed from being sold with this defect and crushed! I will never buy a FoundOnRoad Dead ford pos ever. The transmission went into neutral with out any notice. To repair the faulty drive train I will cost me aprox $2400.00 mileage 152,000 third time the drive train has been worked on.. There tranmissions were failing in a little as 50,000 miles.

Our vehicle was purchased in June 2008 at dealership nearby. We were driving home and there was a grinding and popping sound in the rearend of the vehicle. It was me , my husband, 3 mth old and 2 yr old occupying the car. My husband got out of the car and stated to get the babies out of the car in a hurry it was on fire. We got the babies out and ran in to call 911 and the fire dept. The fire was contained and took to a local garage at that time I contacted my auto insurance to see if this was something that would be covered. They sent an auto adjuster out to look at it. Our insurance did help to repair the rear differential. The rear differential had got so hot it exploded causing the fire. Then after the car was repaired we began to have problems again at that time I contacted Ford motor company. …

Tl contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. While the vehicle was turned off, the contact's two year old son grabbed the key and placed it in the ignition. He attempted to start the vehicle, but the engine never ignited. The child then proceeded to place the shifter in either neutral or drive and the vehicle began to roll approximately 350 feet down a hill. The vehicle crashed into a brush-hog and a Honda vehicle before finally coming to a stop when it crashed into a building. The child sustained a contusion and lacerations to his head, chest, and legs. The vehicle was towed and is currently at a salvage yard. The police stated that even though the vehicle was not started, the gears were able to be shifted, which should not have occurred. A police report was filed. The contact believes that the failure was due to a manufacturer defect and they should be held accountable. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked, with the rear lift gate opened, when it began to roll backwards. While attempting to enter the moving vehicle, the contact was knocked down and sustained injuries. The vehicle continued to roll backwards until crashing into a tree. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. There was an investigation open under NHTSA action number: ea09013 (steering power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (PRNDL) steering:column steering:column locking:anti-theft device) that May be related to the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Failure of front differential mount carrier bushings failure leading to two transmission rebuilts,transfer case rebuild, and over $5000.00 in repairs. Failure of carrier bushings would lead to front end locking up. Causing a jackhammer affect on the drivetrain of the vehicle. To close calls due to front end locking up. Accidents were avoided due to driver vigilance. Have pictures of bushings and what's left of the bushings.

Transfer case defect causes steering difficulty on slow turns. Transmission issue reported to Ford in 2005 at 38,000 miles. Again at 51,000. I opted for an aamco transmission when Ford refused to cover. Now transfer case is making driving dangerous. Turning ability greatly reduced.

2004 Mercury Mountaineer, v8, automatic, AWD. VIN du86w84zj23248, purchased August 2004. Current mileage is 22000. Mid December 2004 I started experiencing odd or rough shifts going from 2nd to 3rd. It started happening occasionally then it became more constant. I also experienced harsh reverses, one was hard enough that my husband said it could give you whip lash! What was ironic about the whole thing was I was going to make an appointment with my local garage when I got a letter from Ford (January 2005) indicating a problem with the transmission fluid which might cause a harsh reverse. So I took it to a Ford garage january1 5,2005, and they installed the additives. I drove the truck about 2 weeks after that and didn't feel it fixed the problem. I took it back to the garage and this time they said they reconfigured the computer. …

I have a used 2004 Mercury Mountaineer I purchased in 12/2008 it had 53,000 miles. I have done all of the required maintenance oil changes,brake pads,fluid changes, and 60,000-mile service package. I have nothing but problems with the vehicle. The failures I have are as follows: 1. Front/rear brake pads,front/rear rotors,spark plugs,-defected parts 2. Battery 3. Tires-constant flats 4. Lug torque-driver front/rear 5. Hood shocks,tire pressure sensor light 6. Transmission fluid leak/ front pump seal leak 7. Noise at harmonic balancer 8. Roar noise and shakes at all speeds 9. Hub assemblies making noise front left/right side; unless replaced vehicle unsafe to drive per Ford dealership 10. Brake pads- front/rear need to be replaced going bad (second time needing to be replaced) 11. Needs front alignment-pulls to the right side 12. Fuel filter 13. Needs all new tires 14. …

I actually missed two recall on my vehicle that I purchased in 2004. My dealer which is johnson brothers Ford/Mercury on ih 35 temple, texas 76501. My wife was unloading truck and the liftgate plunged down on her without any notice. She suffered minor injuries from incident. The year before our tailgate started cracking in 2006 . The dealer johnson brothers never notified me of the tailgate recall or the recall #rq8003 for the liftgate issue in 2008. This dealer has been the worst ive seen since buying my first new or used vehicle in America. I ,[redacted], have only received help concerning oil changes , and tire checks since 2004. Poor service center for customers. The consumer stated the transmission oil pan was never changed and the dealer continued to tell the consumer, all the fluids were fine. However, the vehicle would stall while in drive mode.

Both problems happen when backing up. 2004 Mercury Mountaineer,upon putting it in reverse, will hesitate and then fly backwards. The recall solenoid was put in and the problem stopped for about a year. It has started up again, infrequently. Just 1 week ago, upon backing out of the garage, there was a metal on metal screeching noise and a burning smell. The wheels, wheel wells and undercarriage were checked for foreign objects, and none were found. I left the truck outside that night, and the next day the noise happened again and now happened once in third gear. The same burning smell happened again. I parked the truck and didn't use it all that day. When I went to take it to the dealer the next day, the noise was gone. The dealer wouldn't even look at it as "it wasn't doing it at that time".

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other Mountaineer years