Front Suspension Wheel Bearing problems of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

Loud roaring noise coming from front left wheel. Ford dealership service department replaced wheel bearing as part had failed. After replacing front wheel bearing the mechanic test drove the vehicle and determined the right rear wheel bearing had failed as well due to a roaring noise coming from rear end right wheel. Both are being replaced for $500. 00. Who knows when the other two wheel bearings are going to fail and need replaced. Vehicle only has 81,000 miles on it and it is uncommon to hear of a wheel bearing failing with so few miles. This is not an uncommon problem with 2002 through 2004 Mercury Mountaineers or Ford explorers from other complaints read and the dealership in which I am having the work done at stated this has been a common problem they have had to deal with. I would think with so many problems that a recall would have or will occur. I would understand if it was a vehicle with over 100,000 miles if not more than 150,000 miles, but vehicles with as few as 10,000 miles this is problem that could lead to serious accidents and injuries.

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving 30 mph uphill, the contact heard a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 70,000 and failure mileage was 65,000.

Bought used from a dealer 10-05 with 71328 miles. Checked out by mechanic. No problems w/ drive train, tranny, or suspension, except to change fluids in differentials (rear & front). Did this first week we owned it & water found in rear differential. 1st owner's records came with car. All services were done (no mention of problems). I serviced it every 2-3000 miles. On 4-27-06 the tranny flushed, & the rear differential & transfer case serviced. Mileage was 85857. 2 new tires put on front on 5-25-06 (flat tire). On way home (18 mi. Into 35 mi. Drive), front end started to fail. Couldn't find source of leaking fluid. Drive home. Next morning, tried to return to mechanic with car. Made it about 25 of the 35 miles to town before front end failed. Mechanic showed us the gears from the differential--the "teeth" were sheared completely off 1/3 of it--remaining teeth sheared down by at least 50%. Front differential was replaced, also 4 ball joints, seals for both shafts, brake pads (from differential fluid damage) were replaced. All 4 wheels had bearings repacked. 2 more tires bought. Within 1 week, began hearing noise again from drive train. Car back at mechanic on 6-20-06. The noise now from rear transfer case. It was flushed 2 times (fluid filled with fine metal fragments). The rear differential fluid also changed. Mechanic said 4-6 months until rear end failed. I've now lost the rear end--also have to replace all 4 sets of wheel bearings & replace all axles. Will re-assess front differential after rear is fixed. We've contacted Ford, no recalls for our car. They'll not make any repairs or reimburse for faulty equipment. I'm not original owner & warranty has expired. It doesn't qualify for state lemon law (mileage). There's at least 31 problems and 18 complaints on your website that I've had in the 1 year since I bought this car. This is a Ford issue. I just want to re-coup my $4000+ in repair costs & trade it off for a non-Ford SUV.

: the contact stated the vehicle's front driver side made a wobbling sound while driving 8 mph. The sound only occurred when the vehicle was in motion. On 08/08/06 the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who inspected the tires and determined that the wheel bearings were bad. The dealer was contacted on the same day and expressed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed to locate the cause of the noise. The manufacturer was not contacted.

2002 Mountaineer stalls, transmission control assembly, main control valve, and gasket had to be replaced. The lift gate was sticking, and while closing it, the glass shattered, the glass was recalled, and was suppose to have been fixed. The oil light illuminated. The trim on the front door fell off while driving. There was a grinding noise coming from the rear wheels, it was determined that there was severe rust on the brake componets, the park brake shoes fell apart due to corrosion, the rear wheel bearing and knuckle assembly had excessive rust.