Total Complaints
18 filings
FORD MOUNTAINEER · model year
18 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002FORDMOUNTAINEER carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 MOUNTAINEER is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl) (2) and vehicle speed control (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2002 MOUNTAINEER, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
18 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
Mileage: 183,000
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE SEEN WHERE MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL SUV HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR BEARINGS AS WELL. TO ME IT SEEMS IF EVERYONE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THESE BEARING THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. IT IS NOT ONLY A EXPENSIVE PART IT IS ALSO A SAFETY RISK. I AMONG OTHERS DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE ALL THOSE PARTS. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS TRUCK EVERYDAY AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A RISK TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Mileage: 77,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE RESET BUTTON WAS PRESSED, IT TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,708 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING, HAD DEALER POWER FLUSH AND FILL TRANSMISSION AND REPROGRAM PCM THIS FIXED PROBLEM FOR 3 DAYS, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT ANYTIME SO REPAIRS HAVE TO BE DONE AT A COST OF $3600.00 AT DEALER. *JB
Mileage: 68,000
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ESPECIALY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER.SO I TOLD THIS TO MERCURY DO THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEY SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TTHEY HEARD OF THIS. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD TRANSMISSIONS JUST DONT GO BAD IN 5 YEARS I HAVE 2 OYTHER VEHICLES I ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD IN 5 YEARS. I TRIED TO BE COMPANSATED FOR THE RRRPEPAIRS THEY JUST IGNORE ME. WHAT CAN I DO.
Mileage: 851,655
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ESPECIALY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER.SO I TOLD THIS TO MERCURY DO THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEY SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TTHEY HEARD OF THIS. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD TRANSMISSIONS JUST DONT GO BAD IN 5 YEARS I HAVE 2 OYTHER VEHICLES I ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD IN 5 YEARS. I TRIED TO BE COMPANSATED FOR THE RRRPEPAIRS THEY JUST IGNORE ME. WHAT CAN I DO.
Mileage: 851,655
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ESPECIALY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER.SO I TOLD THIS TO MERCURY DO THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEY SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TTHEY HEARD OF THIS. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD TRANSMISSIONS JUST DONT GO BAD IN 5 YEARS I HAVE 2 OYTHER VEHICLES I ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD IN 5 YEARS. I TRIED TO BE COMPANSATED FOR THE RRRPEPAIRS THEY JUST IGNORE ME. WHAT CAN I DO.
Mileage: 851,655
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ESPECIALY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER.SO I TOLD THIS TO MERCURY DO THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEY SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TTHEY HEARD OF THIS. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD TRANSMISSIONS JUST DONT GO BAD IN 5 YEARS I HAVE 2 OYTHER VEHICLES I ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD IN 5 YEARS. I TRIED TO BE COMPANSATED FOR THE RRRPEPAIRS THEY JUST IGNORE ME. WHAT CAN I DO.
Mileage: 851,655
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I HAD TO HAVE MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FIXED. I LET IT DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IT THE 6TH ONE HE HAS HAD TO FIX IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT COST ME OVER $200.00 TO HAVE A GASKET/SEAL PUT ON THE WINDOW. IT WAS NOT THE MOTOR BUT A PART THAT ATTACHES TO THE WINDOW. *NM
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I HAD TO HAVE MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FIXED. I LET IT DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IT THE 6TH ONE HE HAS HAD TO FIX IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT COST ME OVER $200.00 TO HAVE A GASKET/SEAL PUT ON THE WINDOW. IT WAS NOT THE MOTOR BUT A PART THAT ATTACHES TO THE WINDOW. *NM
THE FEUL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AND I TOOK THE VECHILE TO COUNTRY LINCOLN MERCURY WEST (676 WEST MERRICK ROAD VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 PHONE: (516) 285-0505 FAX: (516) 285-5565 ). THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THERE WAS A SSM ON THE FUEL GAUGE. I THEN NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I CAME OUT OF THE VECHILE. WITHIN A WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I RETURNED THE VICHELE TO THE SAME DEALER ON JUNE 21, 2005 ONLY TO FIND OUT THE GAS TANK WAS NOT SEALING PROPERELY. I AM BEING TOLD FORD DON'T HAVE ANY GAS TANK AVAILABLE UNTIL THE THIRD WEEK IN JULY 2005.
RE: 2002 MOUNTAINER , SAFETY RECALL, REAR GLASS BROKEN OUT, REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDOW MOTOR. *BF CONSUMER SHUT THE BACK WINDOW AND THE GLASS BLEW OUT THROWING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TOP PART OF THE BACK DOOR FELL ON THE CONSUMER. *TC
Mileage: 37,550
INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE. THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT MOVE FROM PARK, AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND NEITHER COULD LOCATE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE. THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT MOVE FROM PARK, AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND NEITHER COULD LOCATE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE. THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT MOVE FROM PARK, AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND NEITHER COULD LOCATE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION/MAIN COMPUTER, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION/MAIN COMPUTER, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. *NLM
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.