Transfer Case problems of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated the while backing up and turning left or right the rear end would stutter. This failure has progressed into a load screching noise when the vehicle is in drive or reverse. The failure has progressed over a period of four months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the transfer case needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Rg.

I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, I have had more problems on this car than are countable. The transmission has slowly been slipping since I bought the vehicle. I have had to replace the transfer case within the past two months, and now my check transmission light and od off light is on. Mechanics now say I need a new transmission. I have looked at numerous review on this make and model cars and all have transmission problems, and those who said they replaced the transmission, the problem recurred and it was a waste of money. I am just trying to figure out what to do these prices is getting very costly for a car that seems like cannot be repaired.

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.