MERCURY MERCURY · model year

2002 MERCURY MERCURY

21 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002MERCURYMERCURY carries 21 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, 1 injury, 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 MERCURY is power train:automatic transmission with 4 filings, followed by visibility:glass, side/rear (2) and suspension:front:springs:coil springs (2). 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.

NHTSA currently has 11 investigation files overlapping the 2002 MERCURY. 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.

21
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

21 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
SUSPENSION1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20090417POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20090417SUSPENSION

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20090417TIRES

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20090417ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20090417SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WELL HERE GOES I BOUGHT 2002 M MOUNTAINEER IN 04 ,W/ 15000 MILES,SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED REAR AXEL 2 SETS WHEEL BARONS ALTERNATOR,BATTERY ,HEATER TWICE,BOTH COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKE ,IDOL CONTROL SWITCH SOLENOID ,GASKETS 4 TIRES REAR BRAKES. ANOTHER PART CAUSE MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT STOP..I REALLY THINK I GOT A LEMON HERE ,I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YRS AND CAN NEVER AFFORD TO DRIVE IT TO MANY REPAIRS AND IM A VERY SAFE WOMEN DRIVER. IM ALSO UPSIDE DOWN IN PAYMENTS . PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

Mileage: 25,000

20070426VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26TH 2007 AT 7AM I TOOK MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TO DUNCANVILLE FORD TO HAVE THE LIFT GATE REPAIRED. THE LEFT HINGE BOLT BROKE, DETACHING THE HINGE, WHICH LEFT MY HATCHBACK HANGING BY THE RIGHT HINGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DUNCANVILLE FORD REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT MY VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGING ME A $47 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. WHEN I TOLD HIM THE BACK GATE WAS GOING TO FALL AND BREAK, HE TOLD ME TO PULL MY TRUCK INTO THE SERVICE BAY, THE CHARGE IS $47 AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE REPAIR COSTS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO REPAIR. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THE LEFT LIFTGATE HINGE, BUT DUE TO THE ENTIRE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH RESTING ON THE RIGHT HINGE, IT BENT AS WELL. I DROVE TO GRAND PRAIRIE FORD TO PURCHASE THE PART AT WHICH TIME I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE RECALL. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO DUNCANVILLE FORD SO THEY COULD REPAIR THE LIFTGATE HINGE AND CHECK THE STRUTS FOR DAMAGE, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE BODY SHOP ATTACHED THE H

20070412SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

FRONT SPRING ON 2002 SABLE BROKE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, ONLY 83,000 MILES. FORD MOTOR WILL NOT HELP TO REPLACE AT NO CHARGE, OR REPLACE THE $120 TIRE THAT THE BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURED. PREVIOUSLY 3 YEARS , 99-0, ) WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND FORD STILL WON'T REPLACE THEM FOR ME, AFTER FAILURE. IT WAS LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR CAUSED ANOTHER PERSONS SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY WOULD ASSIST ME, BUT DUE TO PREVIOUS DEFECTS WITH THE ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE THAT CAUSED IT TO IDLE SO HARD THAT IT WOULD STALL WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AT ONLY 3000 MILES. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 83,000

20070129SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 MERCURY SABLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THEN, TTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE FOR A SECOND TIME, BUT COULD NOT. THE CONTACT GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE FROM GOING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE DRIVER'S LEFT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND SAW THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND LACERATED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT COULD NOT PUT A NEW TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER TO CONTACT HIM REGARDING THE FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 42,000

20060517VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

(1) FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS AND WE HAD THIS RECALL SERVICED ON 1-14-05 AT LAIRD NOLLER FORD IN LAWRENCE, KS. RECALL #01I010000 (2) ON 5-13-06, THE TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE SIMPLY OPENING/LIFTING THE TAILGATE GLASS. THERE WERE MINOR CUTS TO THE HANDS AND THE DOOR WAS RENDERED USELESS AS THE CLOSING MECHANISMS OF THE DOOR WERE ATTACHED TO THE GLASS. (3) LAIRD NOLLER FORD IN LAWRENCE, KS IS SERVICING THE VEHICLE; BUT WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. TOTAL REPAIR COST $1064. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

20050907TIRES:TREAD/BELT

LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE TREADS ON OUR TIRE CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THIS CAUSED OUR VEHICLE TO SWERVE BADLY INTO THE LANE NEXT TO US. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CARS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. THIS COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF A VEHICLE WAS IN THAT LANE AT THE TIME. SO WE PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. *JB

Mileage: 35,930

20050714POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VECHICLE HESITATES AND BUCKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP SUCH AS A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHT OR INCREASING SPEED TO PASS OR GO UP HILL. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. PRIOR TO JUNE THEY TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT THIS PAST MONTH THEY DID A DOWNLOAD. IT WORKED PROPERLY FOR 1-2 DAYS. WE'VE HEARD THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM OTHERS. OUR FEAR IS THAT ONE DAY WE WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT IF IT DIES ALL TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE OF ENTERING A STREET OR PASSING SOMEONE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE LIFTGATE DID SHATTER IN MY SON'S FACE IN MARCH '04. THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME DENIED IT WAS A RECALL AND WE HAD TO FIGHT WITH THEM FOR A LONG TIME AS WELL.

20050714POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN A 2002 MECURY MOUNTAINEER AND AT 49000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. IT WILL NOT SHIFT TO 3RD GEAR. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME OUT IN ANY WAY WITH THE EXPENSES. I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT THEY ARE STARTING TO SEE SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS GO BAD AT A VERY LOW MILAGE THAT HAS THE TRANSMISSION 5R55W IN IT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL.

Mileage: 49,000

20050713POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY TRANSMISSION KEEPS STICKING ON THE 1ST GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN DOWN SHIFTING SUCH AS WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, IN THAT IT CAN CAUSE INJURY ACCIDENTS WHEN PASSING.

Mileage: 100,000

20050208AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. *AK

Mileage: 785,899

20050126STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

CRACK APPEARED UNDER REAR GLASS. HAD REPORTED TO HAVE RECALL ADDRESSED CONCERNING LIFT-GATE PER RECALL LETTER. TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD NOT COME UP WITH THE PART TO FIX THAT LIFT-GATE ISSUE. THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER. LETTER FROM FORD SAID TO GO AT THE END OF NOVEMBER; I WENT BUT WAS TOLD TO JUST STOP USING GLASS-LIFT AND TO OPEN THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR. STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEN. DECEMBER COMES, I TRAVEL TO SHREVEPORT FOR CHRISTMAS, GET THERE AND NOTICE THE CRACK UNDER THE LIFT-GLASS NEXT TO EMBLEM. UPON RETURNING HOME, I WENT TO BUDDY JONES FORD (SAME AS OTHER VISITS/PLUS BOUGHT TRUCK THERE). I WAS TOLD THEN THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT THE CRACK BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE RECALL ISSUE HAD BEEN ADDRESS WHEN I WENT THERE ON THE TWO PREVIOUS VISITS, THE NOW CRACKED BODY PART WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED AS IT NEEDS REMOVING TO PROPERLY FIX THE LIFT-GATE. ON COMPLAINING TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE CRACK I

20041230TIRES:SIDEWALL

I LEFT MY AUTOMOBILE, 2002 MERCURY SABLE, AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ITS 25,000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE FRONT END AS IT WAS SHIMMERING OVER 40 MPH. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRE WALLS WERE CRACKING AND THAT THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST LESS ALLOWANCE. I WAS FURIOUS AND CALLED SEVERAL PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TIRE COMPANY TO COMPLAIN. THE TIRE COMPANY TOLD ME THAT CRACKED SIDEWALLS WERE COVERED IN THE WARRANTY AND IF IT WAS NOT THE TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT COVERED YET AFTER I CALLED THE TIRE COMPANY THE SAID THAT SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE AT THE DEALERSHIP LEARNED OF MY PROBLEM AND GAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ORDERS TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT NO COST WITHOUT CALLING THE TIRE COMPANY. THEY ALSO SPECIFIED THAT THE TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIPPED BACK TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE WHOLE THING SMELLS OF A COVER-UP BECAUSE OF THE IMMEDIATE TURN AROUND AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I MENTIONED A LAWSUIT. ALL FOUR

Mileage: 24,000

20041229UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECENTLY HAD MY BACK HALFWAY HATCH ON MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER TO FALL ON ITS ON FROM NO APPARENT REASON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, UPON TALKING WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST'S WAS SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AN OUT OF POCKET REPAIR. HOWEVER THIS HAD HAPPEN AT NO FAULT TO ME. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A WARRANTY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH NO CHARGE TO ME. THE CSS ALSO SAID IT WOULD PROBABLY COST ME RIGHT AT 5 TO 6 HUNDRED DOLLARS. I EVEN HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE USELESS. PLEASE HELP. THANKS. P.S. I AM NOT CERTAIN ABOUT THE EXACT DAY OF THE BREAKAGE BUT IT WAS NEAR THE FOLLOWING DAY. *NM

Mileage: 52,000

20041208LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

FORD WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AT THEIR 1-866-436-7332 NUMBER REGARDING THE CURRENT STATUS OF WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RECALL # 04S20 - MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW. THE LETTER SENT IN EARLY OCTOBER SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN LATE NOVEMBER. TWICE WHEN I ASKED TODAY TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR, I WAS PUT ON HOLD & DISCONNECTED. *JB

20041128ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

NOTICED A STRONGE SMELL OF GAS IN OUR GARAGE. WHEN WE BACKED OUT THERE WAS A LARGE SPOT ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. WE THEN GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SMELLED THE LIQUID. IT WAS GAS WE THEN LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A LIQUID DRIPING. AS WE CONTINUED TO INVESTAGATE IT WAS CLEAR THAT GAS WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. THE SEAL ALONG WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK WERE SATURATED WITH A DARK GASOLINE SMELLING LIQUID. WE THEN CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MERCURY DEALER. WE ALSO WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE IT.AFTER THE VEHICLE ARRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WE PROCEDED TO FIND A VEHICLE SAME MADE MODLE AND YEAR. AT THAT POINT WE LOOKED UNDER THAT VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAL LOOKED DIFFERNT. IT LOOKED AS IF EVERYTHING WAS CONNECTED UNLIKE OUR VEHICLE WHICH LOOKED LIKE TWO PIECES PUT TOGETHER WITH A YELLOW RING AROUND IT HOLDING THE GAS LINE TO THE GAS TANK. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITNG FOR SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION. WE FEEL THIS VE

Mileage: 55,870

20030205POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT SURGED BACKWARDS CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

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NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 MERCURY MERCURY have?
The 2002 MERCURY MERCURY has 21 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 MERCURY MERCURY?
The most-complained component for the 2002 MERCURY MERCURY is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR and SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS.
Is the 2002 MERCURY MERCURY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.