Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer

I drive my husband's 2003 Mercury Mountaineer it has 69000 miles on it now and we bought it used Dec 2004. When the SUV shifts into 3 or 4th gear it clunks or shutters. We have taken it in to the dealers several times having it returned and told there is nothing wrong. In December 2007 we took it in again with the same complaint and they did a transmission flush. Now when accelerating up to 35 the rpm would raise up to 4,000, like it was slipping. Then it shift into wrong gear. The overdrive off light on the dash started flashing. Next day service engine soon light is on. We took it to dealership they claim they won't know what is wrong with it until they take it apart and it could cost any where from $3,000 to $4,000. We repeatedly took it to the same dealer and they would never find anything wrong and now that the warranty is expired we have a major expense not covered. We ended up taking it to a transmission repair shop where they were very familiar with the problem. The overdrive piston put in at the assembly factory was made of aluminum and is a defective part. So after 1 week without a car, the new overhaul kit, overdrive piston and torque converter we spent a grant total $1,895. 83. This is something the dealer should have fixed when we first complained about it. I can honestly say we will never go back that dealer again.

We bought our Mountaineer new in 2003. We have had numerous problems, but the worst has been with the transmission. We have consistently taken our vehicle to dealerships for service, but are continually told that they cannot "replicate the problem at this time". The transmission has always shifted hard, but dealerships simply tell us it just shifts hard. In January of 2006 the overdrive light was flashing and the check transmission light went on. I took it into the dealer who told us we had to have the torque converter replaced as they found metal shavings in the pan. We paid over $1300 believing this would solve the shifting problem, it did not. At the end of June I took it into another dealership for an oil change and trip inspection. I mentioned again that it shifts hard. Their tech looked at it, found metal in the pan and said the transmission needed to be replaced (at less than 55,000). Apparently the torque converter Ford sent to the first dealership was faulty, causing the transmission to need replacement. Ford did pay for replacement of the transmission, giving us about a 45 day warranty (as the warranty started from the day the torque converter was first replaced). We thought surely that would fix the shifting problems. No. . . Still shifts hard. If we could sell this thing for anywhere near what we owe. . . It would be gone.

While driving on the highway at 65 mph suddenly made a wining like song, then stopped accelerating and stalled. Consumer was able to coast over to the truck medium. Then, it was then towed to a dealership. It indicated that this occurred because a catalytic converter was plugged. Dealership was going to replace the plugged catalytic converter part, but was having difficulties finding the part.

The problem persisted and concern with stalled vehicle, serviced and problem still continue. These problems elevated to vehicle stalling, the alternator was replaced, there were continuous occurrences of the battery fail/check engine indicator light, vibration when braking, and the torque converter locked. The consumer requested a new lease and or early termination of the lease.