Nine problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer based on all problems reported for the 2002 Mountaineer.
Our 2002 Mercury Mountaineer's transmission blew after 116,000 miles. We have spoken with several transmission shops to get an estimate to fix it and they all told us the Mountaineer is famous for this defect and no one, including NHTSA has done anything about this. I think it is grossly unjust that a car's transmission fails after only 90-100,000 miles and it's so common that it is apparently accepted. This is wrong. I am certain if you investigate the sheer number of Mountaineers with this problem that it will prompt a recall and at least a fix at no cost to the unsuspecting owner who has faithfully maintained their vehicle in every way, only to have this happen.
My transmission failed while I was driving on the freeway with my child in the car. This cause my car to "buck" and come to almost complete stop. Thankfully I was in the right lane and able to get off onto the shoulder. My car then would only go into 1st and 2nd gear. It would not shift to 3rd. I took it to a service center (actually 3 of them) who told me I need a new transmission. This is an extremely dangerous situation occurring with these cars. There were not tell tail signs. It was not slipping or rattling previous to this. In searching the internet on google I find there are thousands of people who are have experienced this same problem with Mercury or Ford 2000-2003 vehicles. Why isn't there a recall on this part. This is unacceptable. Eventually someone is going to get hurt. This repair is going to cost me approx. $3000. In addition to this one of my seat belts stopped working. When buckled it comes undone when I am driving. This is a rear passenger seat belt where my child sits. He can not refasten it by himself. I no longer seat him in that particular seat. But how long before the other stop working as well. For some reason your website will not take this number. I just called Ford and they verified the #.
As I was accelerating nothing happened. The transmission failed and didn't go anywhere and then it jerked just as a car was approaching, which made the other car swerve and it almost got into an accident. 2002 Mercury Mountaineers are notorious for bad transmissions and they are a danger. Ford refuses to take any responsibility for their poorly built transmissions.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer transmission failure! common problem and should be a factory recall. Thousands to repair!!!!!.
Transmission failed at around 100,000 miles. Had transmission rebuilt in July 2007. Now transmission is failing again this July 2008. I've had many shifting problems with the transmission and now there are times it won't shift at all.
The vehicle is a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The incident/issue involves the transmission. For model year 2002 & 2003, Ford installed the transmission 5r55w in the explorer and Mountaineer vehicles. The transmission typically gives out between 25,000 and 60,000 miles. Mine gave out at a very busy intersection with my two children. Luckily, we did not get hit, but upon researching this issue it is huge. There are two websites concerning this issue of transmission failure with these two models and year. Ford has been notified, as well as you, the NHTSA, and nothing is being done. You have received complaints, and according to your own monthly investigation reports, from 10/2007 to 03/2008, you have not even investigated it. It's going to take numerous people to die before any action is taken on your behalf. This is a huge problem with this transmission and the number of these vehicles on the road. . . . . Do something!!.
On my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, the transmission failed and has to be rebuilt at 70,000 miles. After reading several websites, it is apparent that this has been a very common and ongoing problem that should qualify it for a recall.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer - transmission failed several times on way to work this morning while pulling onto highways. Car taken to transmission shop and we have been told that the transmission is gone and will cost $2,400 to repair. Mechanic also stated that this is a known problem in Mountaineers but has not been recalled as it is not deemed a safety hazard. Apparently the car maker has not been in such a car when this happens on a busy freeway! we also had no indications of a problem prior to this happening.
Copy of email sent to Mercury division of Ford motor company: on 12/9 I had to take my 2002 Mountaineer, with only 46,000 miles on it, to finnin Ford in dubuque. I was told I needed a "new" transmission!! I called Ford to explain the problem and this past Monday (12/12) I got a call back that Ford was only going to pick up $1200. 00 of a $3000. 00 repair bill. Last night I picked up my vehicle from the dealership, but only after paying $1800. 00!! the reply from the Ford customer rep was that because I did not pay for the extended warranty, I was stuck for the major portion of this bill. This is not acceptable!! before I seek legal counsel, I would like to offer Ford/Mercury one last chance to do what should of been done in the first place for a very loyal customer (2 explorers & 2 Mountaineers). Ford/Mercury should have replaced this transmission at no charge. A transmission failure at 46,000 miles on a 2002 SUV should not have happened and because it did, the manufacture should be fixing the problem at no charge to the customer. Oh, and did I mention that according to the dealership, this was the second such problem this week. If Ford motor CO. Has a transmission problem, they should own up to it and fix the problem. I am also a long standing member of consumer report, and I will be advising them of this issue as well as the national safety counsel. Please respond to this email by 12/20/2005. Thank you, dave grall.