Cruise Control problems of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

I was driving my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer on vacation in florida 1400 miles from home with my kids, I was on the interstate 75 on alligator alley when I was coming up on two semi trucks, I applied the brake and instead of the cruise control shutting off it sped up fast sending me towards the semi trailers going about 85 mph, I slammed on the brakes and veered off the interstate onto the shoulder and grabbed the gear shift lever to downshift to slow it down and the shift lever broke of in my hand, I got the SUV home and contacted the Ford dealer and I was told that there is a recall on the cruise control for failure but that I have to pay around 1 thousand dollars for the shifter arm that broke off when the cruise control defect caused all of this in the first place and the shifter arm should be a recall also as there are thousands and thousands of instances of shifter arms breaking on these models.

I own a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The tailgate developed a crack between the emblem and the rear glass lift. It was fixed once already and has since cracked again. Since this crack has developed, the door ajar light has come on. I have noticed the same crack in almost every Ford explorer and Mountaineer that I see. I contacted the dealer to have it repaired again and was told that they only cover the repair once. I don't feel I should have to pay out of pocket for an obvious manufacturing defect. I then contacted Ford and was told there is nothing they can do for me. Keep in mind, I have also had numerous visits for my transmission having issues from the beginning and I have also had issues with the cruise control where it suddenly "takes off" and goes really fast. Ford needs to stand by it's vehicles and fix them when there are obvious manufacturer defects!.

Service bulletin 14966 states do not replace any parts in an effort to repair the vehicle - vehicle has been idle at office since returned from dealer on July 24,2001 - Ford motor continues to sell this vehicle with the same problem - Ford regional service mamager contacted me on two occasions and was to get back by August 7, 2001 but has not done so. The vehicle has been parked as I feel that where a drive train is involved, it could be dangerous - I have asked that the vehicle be replace as it has been out of service for 21 days.