Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Several problems. First, the driver's power seat malfunctions. Moves while car is in motion; doesn't move when key is inserted into ignition. Was repaired about 15 months ago; same problem exists again. Secondly, rear window pops open if car is unlocked. Will only remain closed when vehicle is locked. Thirdly, rear wiper has quit working. Really strange since it is rarely used in 3 years of ownership.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the front heated windshield gives off a glare at night. The windshield was replaced, but the glare is still present. The contact stated that the windshield causes him to feel tired. The current mileage was 1,823 and failure mileage was 23. Updated 03-04-08
First off when I bought the vehicle the rear wiper does not work. Secondly when you put the vehicle in reverse it jolts before going into reverse. Finally it only let's you put so much of fuel into the gas tank at a time before stopping the fuel flow into the gas tank.
I was washing the SUV in May 2007, and after washing the windshield off I went to the back of the car to wash off the back when I came around to the front and the front windshield was cracked. There was no evidence of a rock, or dent hole, the car was in the driveway. I was standing there and washing it and it just somehow got cracked along the bottom of the windshield.
"Takata recall" purchased the vehicle with 158,000 miles on it. Owned for one month. Barely driving even 12 miles a day as I have been laid off from job. Vehicle was parked in driveway, sitting. Opened the rear lift gate to retrieve groceries and closed gate. Rear window blew out into a million pieces with the center piece that is plastic? Twisted as well. Did notice crack in panel near the emblem shortly after the purchase of vehicle and I thought that the prior owner May have backed into something , although there was no dent or paint marked up near the crack, so I was stumped as to how it got that way). After inquiring on the internet, I found several complaints about the lift gate panel and glass falling out. I had sealed the crack with clear silicone just a week after purchasing in order to keep the water out of the lift gate. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the lift gate hinge on the driver's side failed to keep the glass up. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and both lift gate glass hinges were replaced. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign number: 01i010000 (visibility). However, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving, there was a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear lift gate window had suddenly shattered. The contact indicated that window was replaced but the failure reoccurred. After replacing the window a second time the contact recently discovered that the window panel and glass had crack. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Rear glass tail gate hatch hinge - the hinge pin was coming out through the pot metal casting. Every time I opened it wore a bit more. Hinge was twisted - glass hung down out of position. I was afraid it would fail on the road and injure a car behind me. I bought a new dealer hinge and installed it myself. Parts and service people at dealer neglected to tell me to disconnect the gas cylinders. With tailgate closed gas cylinders are not visible. I removed the bad hinge in preparation to install new. It was a wrestling match as the cylinder was trying to force the glass out and down which twisted the other hinge. Now that other hinges pin is breaking through the pot metal. It took two of us to wrestle the cylinder and get the new hinge in place. To be safe I'm just not going to use the hatch.
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor May have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 22, 2005.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mountaineer years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (32), 1999 (22), 1998 (7), 2003 (7) and 2004 (7) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mountaineer window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-520 (motor, Nov 9, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mountaineer window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (25 mentions), followed by the glass, side/rear (23).
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.