2003 Mercury Mountaineer transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND NO MATTER WHAT I DO THERE ALWAYS A PROBLEM SHIFTING GEARS

NHTSA complaint #11231457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT. WHILE PARKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10972300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER RECALLS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IGNITION COILS, I'M HAVING A GAS SMELLS NOW, TRANSMISSION THUMPS HARD WHEN GOING INTO FIRST GEAR, SOUNDS LIKE MY REAR END IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT, MY FRONT SEAT IS ELECTRIC AND DOESN'T MOVE, THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, I KEEP TRYING TO FIX EVERYTHING THE MORE I FIX THE MORE PROBLEMS THAT COME UP, I HAVE CHECK THE RECALL LIST FOR 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER RECALL ON TRANSMISSION AND ALSO CALLED THE FORD CO THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORST AND AFRAID I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN WHEN IT BREAKS. I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION LEVEL CHECKED SAID IT WAS FINE. GETTING READY TO DO A COMPLETE TUNE-UP ON IT TO SEE IF THAT WILL HELP WITH THE SMELL OF GAS AND MAKE IT RUN BETTER. IT IDLES HIGH. IT'S WORST WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10907125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE POPPING SOUND WAS LOUDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC NOTICED A LEAK IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA complaint #10508311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

FORD HAS A TSB ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED TYEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS IF THERE ARE SOOO MANY COMPLAINT FROM CONSUMERS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUES IS THAT NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURE BEING IT CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT? I HAVE TO CHILDREN AND THIS IS OF EXTREME CONCERN TO ME THAT THESE ISSUES ON MY CAR CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. -BACK TRUNK DOOR IS CRACKED DOWN THE LATCH. -THE CAR DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY AND TIRES SEEM LOOSE -THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING ALL THE TIME AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SIGNALING.. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY WEBSITES WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES ON 2003-2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS.

NHTSA complaint #10461435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARK AND I HAVE TO PULL DOWN ON IT REALLY HARD TO GET IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE I'M AFRAID THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK ONE DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10459900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING @ 35 MPH, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10450722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE SO I COULD PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE TRANSMISSION LEVEL BROKE RIGHT OFF. THE VEHICLE, SINCE IT IS FULL-TIME AWD, CANNOT BE MOVED OR TOWED SINCE ALL THE WHEELS ARE ENGAGED IN PARK. THE METAL HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHEARED OFF WHICH I CAN ONLY CONSIDER TO BE A GRAVE SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #10429347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE SO I COULD PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE TRANSMISSION LEVEL BROKE RIGHT OFF. THE VEHICLE, SINCE IT IS FULL-TIME AWD, CANNOT BE MOVED OR TOWED SINCE ALL THE WHEELS ARE ENGAGED IN PARK. THE METAL HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHEARED OFF WHICH I CAN ONLY CONSIDER TO BE A GRAVE SAFETY RISK IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA complaint #10429347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE YEARS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT DOESN'T "LOCK" IN THE GEAR I HAVE TO ADJUST IT TWICE, DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND THANK GOD NO ACCIDENT. BUT I JUST LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT UNTIL I SAW THIS. WANT UPDATES ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10428385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE 295 IN NJ. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS WHICH INCLUDED A FORD DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLES AND ALSO THE FORD EXPLORER. I DEPEND ON MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND I SERVICE THE CAR AS RECOMMENDED BY FORD. NOW I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE CAR AND MEANWHILE I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK. IF I WAS NOT AN ALERT DRIVER, THAT FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES AND OR DEATH TO ME AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I THINK FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND TRY TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED AND WITH THE VERY HIGH STICKER PRICE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE KIND OF SUV THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10346972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

REAR BACK HATCH CRACKED WHEN PURCHASED, PROMISED TO BE FIXED BY DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY NEVER HONORED THEIR PROMISE. I HAVE SINCE SEEN SEVERAL MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS WITH THE REAR BACK HATCH CRACKED AS WELL, WONDERING WHY THEIR WASN'T A RECALL?? ALSO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, ALREADY REPLACED TRANSFER CASE AND NOW POWER STEERING IS LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10347101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. WITHIN SECONDS, THE WARNING LIGHT HAD RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SECOND AND FOURTH GEARS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10342888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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. JUST RECENTLY HAD MY TRANSMISSION GO OUT AGAIN (12/8/09) AND HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE REBUILD OF A MERCURY TRANSMISSION WHICH COST US ANOTHER $4000. IT STILL SLIGHTLY VIBRATES GOING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR. ALSO THE BACK HATCH HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY DOWN THROUGH THE LOGO. OUR FORD DEALER CHARGES $200 JUST TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE!

NHTSA complaint #10319097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE FEBRUARY 2007. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT AND THE LAST PROBLEMS WAS THE BREAKING POINT. I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHCILE. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM COMMUNITY FORD IN NEW ALBANY, MS IN FEBRUARY 2007 WITH 45,000 MILES ON IT. I COULDN'T GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR ANY WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD. AFTER A YEAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT END AND IT WAS $500.00 AT GEORGE'S TIRE SERVICES. I TOOK IT IN DUE TO THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND I WAS ADVISED THAT IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK DID IT WOULD LOCK UP ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. I NOTICED THAT MY STRUCTURE BODY:HATCHBACK/TAILGATE HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY. MY SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN THE BACK DON'T WORK. MY ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AIRCOMPRESSOR HAS WENT OUT AND I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE MY OIL GAUGE IS CONSTANTLY SAYING IT'S LOW. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES. I AM HEARING THIS NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET GOING TO FORD TO SEE WHAT IT IS. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING THIS BURNING COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EITHER. MY LASTEST PROBLEM IS MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND I HAVE THREE MORE YEARS OF PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE. MY TRANSMISSION COST ME AROUND $3500 AND I DON'T HAVE ANY WARRANTY ON IT. THIS IS A LEMON I HAVE PURCHASED AND I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10297859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WE PURCHASED A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER APPROX. 9 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE OUT. WHEN WE DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL BETWEEN 2002 - 2006 FOR THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ON MOUNTAINEERS, EXPLORERS, EXPEDITIONS AND RANGE/LND ROVERS. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO; THEY SAID THAT OUR PARTICULAR VIN# DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHEN I ASKED HOW COME A MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT COULD NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST THEY SAID IT COULD BE AN OVERSIGHT OR JUST MAYBE NOT FOR THAT MODEL. I THEN ASKED HOW COME THE RESEARCH PROVED TO SHOW THAT THESE WERE DEFECTIVE UPON MANUFACTURING AND SOME OF THEM NOT GET RECALLED THEY HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME. WE NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS INOPERATIVE AND NOBODY WANTS TO CLARIFY THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD 2 ESTIMATES BOTH WITH USED PARTS FROM A WRECKING YARD. THE 1ST ESTIMATE WAS $1350 AND THE 2ND WAS $800 AND NO GUARANTEES SINCE THEY WOULD BE PULLING THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL OFF OF A WRECKED VEHICLE THE SAME YEAR AS OURS AND IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY BE DEFECTIVE. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS AND NOW MY HUSBAND HAS NO TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK. HE DOES DRIVE MY CAR AT THE MOMENT BUT CAN NOT CARRY ALL OF HIS TOOLS IN MY VEHICLE SINCE HIS IS AN SUV. WE DID SEEK LEGAL COUNCIL AND WERE INFORMED THAT WE NEED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT YOU COULD FORCE FORD TO RECALL OUR VEHICLE AND THEY SAID WE HAD A VERY GOOD LAW SUIT. IF MY HUSBAND DID NOT HAVE THIS CHECKED AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE GEARS LOCKING UP AND A CRASH WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE.

NHTSA complaint #10287418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 78000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE MONTHS AGO FOR SLIPPING AND NOT DOWNSHIFTING IT IS NOW GONG BACK IN TOMORROW TO BE REPAIRED FOR NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE IT ISN'T VERY GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10287123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 4.6L-V8: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ACCELERATION [STOP SIGN/SIGNAL, EXITING AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, COASTING] THE ENGINE WILL NOT HOLD IDLE, THEN STALL. THE STEERING & BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS. TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO DARK FOR A MOMENT...THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. DECELERATING FROM AN EXPRESSWAY TO A SURFACE STREET, ON A CURVED EXIT RAMP , AT NIGHT MAKES FOR AN OUT OF CONTROL SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER CAN NOT SEE BECAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE! I'VE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION CENSOR [TPS] WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE DEALER OFFERS REPLACEMENT OF PARTS $1500, AND NO GUARANTEE OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS USELESS TO ME FORE IT IS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD...FOR ME AND ANYONE ELSE DRIVING NEAR ME.

NHTSA complaint #10275214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #10272769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I DRIVE MY HUSBAND'S 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IT HAS 69000 MILES ON IT NOW AND WE BOUGHT IT USED DEC 2004. WHEN THE SUV SHIFTS INTO 3 OR 4TH GEAR IT CLUNKS OR SHUTTERS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES HAVING IT RETURNED AND TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IN DECEMBER 2007 WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. NOW WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 35 THE RPM WOULD RAISE UP TO 4,000, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING.THEN IT SHIFT INTO WRONG GEAR. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. NEXT DAY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY CLAIM THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT UNTIL THEY TAKE IT APART AND IT COULD COST ANY WHERE FROM $3,000 TO $4,000. WE REPEATEDLY TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALER AND THEY WOULD NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED WE HAVE A MAJOR EXPENSE NOT COVERED.WE ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE PISTON PUT IN AT THE ASSEMBLY FACTORY WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND IS A DEFECTIVE PART. SO AFTER 1 WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, THE NEW OVERHAUL KIT, OVERDRIVE PISTON AND TORQUE CONVERTER WE SPENT A GRANT TOTAL $1,895.83. THIS IS SOMETHING THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE FIXED WHEN WE FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. I CAN HONESTLY SAY WE WILL NEVER GO BACK THAT DEALER AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10260754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

PURCHASED THE 2003 MERCURY, MOUNTAINEER, AWD VEHICLE NEW ON 6/17/03. ON 05/10/06 AT 50515, THE LEFT FRONT HUB BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. A VISUAL EXAM INDICATED WATER DAMAGE WITH BEARING SEIZURE. ON 11/24/08 AT 88826, THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE EARLIER HUB REPLACEMENT WAS DIAGNOSED. AT THIS TIME BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BEARING HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT HUB WAS PRACTICALLY FROZEN AND SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT FATIGUE TO THE OUTER CASING. BOTH HUBS SHOWED RUST AND PITTING. I MAINTAINED POSSESSION OF BOTH HUBS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HAD THE HUB LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, (70MPH) A POTENTIAL FOR A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT EXISTED. ON 11/21/06, A REAR DIFFERENTIAL NOISE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REBUILT. ON 11/24/08 THE NOISE WAS AGAIN HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. APPARENTLY THE NOISE FROM THE FRONT BEARINGS DAMAGE SHIELDED THE REAR DIFF. NOISE. I NOTICE ONLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT FOR THE PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR, HOWEVER THE BASIC DRIVE TRAIN DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED FOR MERCURY OR FORD EXPLORER FOR SOME TIME AND OTHER MODEL YEARS MAY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD NOT GO 100000 PLUS MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND LIKEWISE THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE FRONT HUBS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL UP 100,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA complaint #10250011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

POWERTRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10236601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AT 62000 MILES. FORD DONE REPAIRS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TWO DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND IT STARTED SMOKING OUT FROM UNDER IT. THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON!!!! THEY NEED TO RECALL MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS.

NHTSA complaint #10224098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.