Total Complaints
271 filings
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER · model year
271 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004MERCURYMOUNTAINEER carries 271 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 2 fires, 17 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 2004 MOUNTAINEER is structure:body with 39 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (36) and power train (21). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 MOUNTAINEER. 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
271 filings
Crashes Reported
20 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 39 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 36 |
| POWER TRAIN | 21 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 18 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 14 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| STRUCTURE | 9 |
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| ENGINE | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
| STEERING | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDER
This vehicle is has a power train problem from day one with the 5R55S/W transmission and AWD transfer case. I purchased this vehicle where it stranded my family over 200 miles from home and it's a non running car. This vehicle should have been removed from being sold with this defect and crushed! I will never buy a FoundOnRoad Dead ford pos ever. The transmission went into neutral with out any notice. To repair the faulty drive train I will cost me aprox $2400.00 mileage 152,000 third time the drive train has been worked on.. There tranmissions were failing in a little as 50,000 miles.
MY WINDOWS WERE ROLLING DOWN WHEN I FIRST THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ROLLING DOWN
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.
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.
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.
OPERATING THE TAILGATE WINDOW HINGES BROKE OFF SCREWS APPEARED TO HAVE SEVERE CORROSION VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Mileage: 149,674
HUMMING IN FRONT AT ALL SPEEDS FT WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE BAD. NOW RIGHT REAR BEARING MAKING NOISE. VERY LOOSE . LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE NEED TO BE LOOKED AT
Mileage: 90,000
1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.
Mileage: 135,000
1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.
Mileage: 135,000
1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.
Mileage: 135,000
THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS!! RIGHT HINGE BROKE WHICH DROPPED RIGHT SIDE OF GLASS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GLASS WHICH MADE IT EXPLODE. GLASS COVERED ME WITH A FEW MINIMAL CUTS
Mileage: 190,000
MY SON WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON AUGUST 6, 2015. SOMETHING HAPPENED, AND HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. AT THAT POINT THE AIRBAG COVER FLEW TOTALLY OFF, INSTEAD AND FALLING DOWN AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE COVER ITSELF GASHED MY SONS FOREHEAD FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, AND HE LOST HIS RIGHT EYE. THIS IS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT SO FAST THAT THEY HAD BURN MARKS ON THEM. THESE AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO SAVE PEOPLES LIVES INSTEAD OF MANGLING THEIR FACES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HORRIFIC ACT....01/04/17 *BF *TR *CN
REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE HAVING THE WINDOW ONLY OPEN AND PUTTING AWAY GROCERIES. UPON CLOSING THE WINDOW, THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO ALMOST FALL OFF OF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS IN THE PARKING LOT, TO PUSH THE WINDOW BACK INTO THE FRAME AND HAVE IT LOCK AT THE CENTER LATCH. THE LATCH IS NO LONGER ENGAGED AND I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ON THE WINDOW TO CONNECT WITH THE LATCH. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO SO. THE WINDOW IS AT A POINT WHERE IT COULD FALL OFF OF MY CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR 2000-2003 VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD IS NOT CARRYING OVER THE RECALL TO 2004 STATING THE DEFECT IS NOT THE SAME (WITH THE DETAILS) AS THE RECALL ITSELF. IT IS STILL THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART! I AM OF SHORT STATURE AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PUSH THE WINDOW THE 1" OR SO TO GET IT INTO THE FRAME TO LOCK SUCCESSFULLY. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ADVICE BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF PO
Mileage: 186,000
REAR TAILGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE HAVING THE WINDOW ONLY OPEN AND PUTTING AWAY GROCERIES. UPON CLOSING THE WINDOW, THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO ALMOST FALL OFF OF THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS IN THE PARKING LOT, TO PUSH THE WINDOW BACK INTO THE FRAME AND HAVE IT LOCK AT THE CENTER LATCH. THE LATCH IS NO LONGER ENGAGED AND I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ON THE WINDOW TO CONNECT WITH THE LATCH. I AM NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO DO SO. THE WINDOW IS AT A POINT WHERE IT COULD FALL OFF OF MY CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART FOR 2000-2003 VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD IS NOT CARRYING OVER THE RECALL TO 2004 STATING THE DEFECT IS NOT THE SAME (WITH THE DETAILS) AS THE RECALL ITSELF. IT IS STILL THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART! I AM OF SHORT STATURE AND DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PUSH THE WINDOW THE 1" OR SO TO GET IT INTO THE FRAME TO LOCK SUCCESSFULLY. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ADVICE BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF PO
Mileage: 186,000
MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, LOSES POWER STEERING, LOSES POWER BRAKES. IT WILL START RIGH BACK UP ONCE I SHIFT INTO PARK. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES. I COULD HAVE JUST GOT IN THE CAR OR BEEN DRIVING FOR HOURS. HAPPENS AT 15MPH AND 60MPH JUST THE SAME. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.
Mileage: 143,000
THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED NEAR THE MERCURY EMBLEM. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW. I TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE FORD WOULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE 2004. ONE STATED THE 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THAT FORD REPAIRED THOSE. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO MY EMAIL I SENT TO FORD. THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU CAN TELL IF YOU ARE BEHIND A 2004 EXPLORER OR MOUNTIANEER, THEY ALL WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRACK AROUND THE EMBLEM.
Mileage: 15,000
FAILURE OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CARRIER BUSHINGS FAILURE LEADING TO TWO TRANSMISSION REBUILTS,TRANSFER CASE REBUILD, AND OVER $5000.00 IN REPAIRS. FAILURE OF CARRIER BUSHINGS WOULD LEAD TO FRONT END LOCKING UP. CAUSING A JACKHAMMER AFFECT ON THE DRIVETRAIN OF THE VEHICLE. TO CLOSE CALLS DUE TO FRONT END LOCKING UP. ACCIDENTS WERE AVOIDED DUE TO DRIVER VIGILANCE. HAVE PICTURES OF BUSHINGS AND WHAT'S LEFT OF THE BUSHINGS.
Mileage: 135,000
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.
Mileage: 80,000
THIS VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO WARNING IS GIVEN ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN TOTALLY OUT FROM THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.
Mileage: 142,000
THIS VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO WARNING IS GIVEN ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN TOTALLY OUT FROM THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.
Mileage: 142,000
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.