70 of the
2,646 complaints filed about the Mercury Mountaineer
are about the steering —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
Aftermarket rack and pinion system re-manufactured by Detroit Axel began leaking fluid and caused a loss of power steering within 3 months of purchase. A second unit was installed and after about a year had the exact same failure as the first unit. Also resulting in the loss of power steering. It is my contention that Detroit Axel is not capable of re-manufacturing to a satisfactory safety standard. I believe they should be investigated and perhaps subject to a product recall. I pray nobody has yet been killed by their ineptitude!
NHTSA complaint #11562105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated while making a left or right turn, she heard an abnormal noise, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the Roll Stability Control (RSC) warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Roll Stability Control (RSC) to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #11493929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,782.
NHTSA complaint #11437666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON... ALL THE TIME GRINDING NOISES WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT SOUNDS LIKE GEARS ARE FREELY SPINNING WHILE ENGAGED AND DRIVING. NO ISSUES WITH CHANGING GEARS AS FAR AS MECHANIC SAYS.
NHTSA complaint #11165492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING MY SEAT WILL RANDOMLY MOVE BACK AND FORTH AS IF I TOOK THE KEYS OUT. THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION BUT AFTER HAVING THE GARAGE PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT STILL FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP EVEN THOUGH THE GARAGE SAYS THE TRANSMISSION IS FINE.
NHTSA complaint #11083828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #10969975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXACT SAME AS NHTSA ID # 10654146. THE "EASY EXIT" FEATURE ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I AM 6' TALL AND WAS ABLE TO SLIDE SEAT FORWARD, BUT MY WIFE IS 5' TALL AND MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES REACHING THE PEDALS... THIS HAS SINCE HAPPENED ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS ( 2 AT FREEWAY SPEED, AND ONCE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY). I WILL CONTACT DEALER, BUT WANTED SEARCH RECALLS FIRST.
NHTSA complaint #10678546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK, AND THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON. THIS REALLY SCARED ME! THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WITH OTHER VEHICLES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO (THE SEAT MOVES BACK, I MOVE THE SEAT UP & IT GOES BACK AGAIN, I MOVE IT UP AGAIN...UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPS). THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY EVERY SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10670675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEE BELOW FROM: TIER 1 EMAIL - CRCFMC [MAILTO:CRCFMC@FORD.COM] SENT: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 8:57 AM TO: [XXX] CT: RE: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES CRM:01660000000018 HELLO[XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM FROM FORD`S CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER (CRC). I HAVE REVIEWED YOUR EMAIL REGARDING THE CONCERNS ON YOUR 2010 MOUNTAINEER. I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONSIDERS THE SATISFACTION OF ITS OWNERS TO BE ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES. WE COMMIT VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES AND EFFORT IN A SINCERE ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CONCERNS OF OUR OWNERS. HOWEVER, LIMITS MUST BE PLACED ON THOSE EFFORTS. AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WE ARE SUPPORTING THE PREVIOUS DECISION AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WE ARE SORRY THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. SINCERELY, [XXX] CUSTTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY FROM: GENERIC - CRC CONTACT RECEIVED: 3/18/2014 5:45 PM TO: TIER 1 EMAIL - CRCFMC SUBJECT: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SALES OR SERVICE ISSUE?:THE VEHICLES BRAKES STARTED LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING THAT CAUSED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING SCENARIO WHAT ACTION HAS YOUR DEALER TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?:N/A WHAT ASSISTANCE ARE YOU SEEKING FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY?:REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE REPAIRS ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE :YES MILEAGE : 38000 WHERE IS YOUR VEHICLE NOW : INPOSSESSION HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE DEALER :NO INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10641517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD PICKED UP MY KIDS FROM DAYCARE AND I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP. WHILE BACKING UP I HEARD A LOUD POP AND I GOT OUT TO SEE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING VISIBLE. SO I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET MY VEHICLE AXLE BROKE AND MY TRUCK HIT THE STREET IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY AXLE AND MY DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN ALSO, AM I AM LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A BAD ACCIDENT WITH THE EXTEND OF THE DAMAGE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. AFTER I FIXED THAT AND IT COST $2900. THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. THEN ALL THREE OF MY CADILLAC CONVERTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AND OH YEAH THE BACK REAR GATE HAS BEEN CRACKED LIKE THE MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10640980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WENT TO TAKE MY VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TEST AND OIL CHANGE AND WHEN I WENT TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, IT JUST DANGLED IN THE AIR. I FOUND THIS TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!, NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO IT BEING STUCK IN PARK. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THEN YESTERDAY WHILE HAVING THE BRAKES FIXED AND TRYING TO HAVE IT TEST DRIVEN, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AGAIN AND NOT ABLE TO MOVE TO THE ENGINE START POSITION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION SINCE THIS IS AT SOME POINT, CAUSE AN INJURY. FORTUNATELY, BOTH TIMES MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE ISN'T? PLEASE HELP US OUT. THESE ARE NICE VEHICLES AND THIS IS GIVING THEM A BAD REP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10639005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10629348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ONCE THE KEY IS INSERTED THE SEAT WILL MOVE INTO POSITION AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN OFF. THAT IS WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENS IS MY KNEE NUDGES THE KEY THE CAR WILL THINK I HAVE TAKEN THE KEY OUT AND WILL TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON AND MOVE MY SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK TO ITS OUT POSITION. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE ME FEET NO LONGER TOUCH THE PEDALS. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO CODES ARE SHOWING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS SINCE THERE ARE OTHERS SUFFERING WITH THIS AS WELL THAT I HAVE SEEN POSTED IN ONLINE FORUMS.
NHTSA complaint #10619404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE RODS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
NHTSA complaint #10618577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD A WRECK COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T WORK RAN INTO A TREE AND DAMAGED A MAILBOX (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=MOUNTAINEER , MODEL=MERCURY ).
NHTSA complaint #10618525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND PARKING BRAKE RELEASED, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND THE GEARSHIFT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND I AM AWAITING THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THIS IS MY SECOND FORD SUV TO DO THIS AFTER 80K MILES. THE REPAIR HAVE BEEN GOING FOR AROUND $1300 OR MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10610170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN GEAR SHIFTER BECAME FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10569451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE EXHIBITED RESISTANCE IN STEERING. FORD DEALER FOUND LOWER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT FROZEN FROM CORROSION. FORD DEALER STATED THIS CONDITION WAS SIMILAR TO THAT SEEN FOR VEHICLES RECALLED UNDER FORD RECALL 13508 AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED, FELT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE OPERATING CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10554180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO UTILIZE THE FORWARD WHEEL DRIVE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXHIBITING SEVERAL FAILURES SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK ABNORMALLY. ALSO, THE POWER WINDOWS HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ADDITIONAL FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10552687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.