Two problems related to transmission not go into gear 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.
Experiencing transmission issues at 75k miles. Took it to shop who reported these transmissions are notoriously bad, replacing some at 60k miles and most by 100k. Mine needs to be replaced at a cost of $2500. Problem is use of aluminum within metal and fast wear. Ford should be held accountable for making poor quality products. Transmissions should have a much greater life than 75k miles. Problems noticed - slipping out of gear while driving, not engaging gear when selected, not shifting into higher gear (overrevving),, clunking shifts. Danger arises when you select gear, accelerate and nothing happens and suddenly it pops into gear which causes vehicle to lunge forward.
I own a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer with 46,000 miles. Without warning the transmission started not shifting from gear to gear. The computer indicated "check transmission" and the overdrive off light began to flicker. I promptly stopped the vehicle and called for a roll back to have it taken to a transmissin shop. ($80 tow fee) the shop diagnosed the problem as 3rd gear wrong ratio. The shop owner said that he thought it was a broken sprag. He replaced the transmission with a Ford factory remanufactured unit at the cost of $2813. 00. I have since heard that there is a problem with the transmissions in the 2002 Ford model SUV's as well as in the Mercury's. Is there anything being done to hold the manufacture liable for the expenses incurred?.