Hatchback/liftgate problems of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the technician stated that the liftgate and window needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,500.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact noticed that the rear lift gate windshield assembly was cracked. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and any repairs would be at the expense of the owner. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 84,000.

While opening my hatch in the back of my car the hock came apart. One of the two hocks that hold the glass of the hatch broke. Not sure why it broke, the car did not have anything leaning up against it. It's dangerous because I could have happen while I was driving and the glass could have fell on the care behind me.

A cracked liftgate applique. . It is cracked around the applique. .

Currently I have a crack in the left side of the back lift gate. I do not kow how it got there but then I noticed 6 other Mountaineers with the ame issue. I think this may be a manufactors defect and wonder if thes will effect the back glass?.

Crack in the rear liftgate to the left side of the Mercury emblem. When we first noticed the crack, it was about 1/2 way down the plastic, then within a week it was all the way though. I'm not sure if there is any structural components that are effected by the crack or what may have caused the crack. I'm not sure if the glass is effected or not, but I'm concerned that whatever caused the plastic to crack will also effect the strength of the glass.

Liftgate cracked. No damage done to vehicle. Notice crack starting below window going down through the Mercury emblem.

Rear middle hatchback has crack in molding from bottom of window all the way down. Possibly due to cold weather.

The hatch back door on my Mercury Mountaineer split in half from the base of the window to the bottom of the hatch door. I believe the placement of the Mercury symbo liner the top center of the hatch weakens the hatch causing it to split with use and / or with a sudden change in temperature.

Liftgate cracked. Part will need to be replaced or possibility of window falling out. Was told by my Mercury dealer that this is a known fault in vehicle but since it happens between 40,000 and 50,000 miles it is no longer Ford/Mercury's responsibility since cars are out of warranty.

Recall repair ineffective and aggravated initial problem - "cure worse than the disease. " rear liftgate window shattered. Following dealer repair for recall 04s29, our rear window shattered explosively within 48 hours. This was the type of issue the recall repair was supposed to prevent. Incident occured in garage while vehicle was stationary, spreading glass in a 6 foor radius inside and outside of the vehicle. The rear liftgate had not been opened since the recall repair was completed.

: the contact stated "on 8/23/04, the rear liftgate window of my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer violently exploded while parked. The force of the explosion sent glass flying into the rear of my vehicle and into the parking lot. The dealer had my car for 9 days before Ford sent a representative to view the damage. Against several opinions, Ford denied responsibility because there were dog crates in the back. These crates had been in my Mountaineers for years & didn't even come close to the window. I found dozens of idiopathic exploding liftgate incidents on the NHTSA site for the Ford explorer and Mercury Mountaineer - at the time, NHTSA advised that Ford was about to issue a voluntary recall. I did get the recall weeks after the incident, but my attempts to obtain reimbursement from Ford for repair of this defective liftgate glass for myself and my insurer were unsuccessful. My complaint made it to the executive offices of Ford, but they would not even talk to me because my insurance company was not subrogating - the claim was just too small for my insurer to pursue. However, there is a principle involved, and I am completely disgusted with Ford motor company. I had the car repaired by insurance after I paid the deductible, and then a couple months later, the recall work for the liftgate was done by my dealer. Recently, I noticed that the new liftgate has an ever enlarging crack down the center of the liftgate glass frame - my dealer says it is not structural and not to worry, but due to the history of this vehicle, I fear that another explosion is imminent. I was in the car at the time of the first explosion, and it was scary. I have had a warning magnetic sign placed on the rear of my vehicle to warn people to stay away from the rear of my vehicle in case of another explosion, and my dog crates are now shielded with a sun blanket to protect from flying glass. Ford has created such bad will with me that this likely will be the last Ford product I own. ".

: the contact stated "on 8/23/04, the rear liftgate window of my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer violently exploded while parked. The force of the explosion sent glass flying into the rear of my vehicle and into the parking lot. The dealer had my car for 9 days before Ford sent a representative to view the damage. Against several opinions, Ford denied responsibility because there were dog crates in the back. These crates had been in my Mountaineers for years & didn't even come close to the window. I found dozens of idiopathic exploding liftgate incidents on the NHTSA site for the Ford explorer and Mercury Mountaineer - at the time, NHTSA advised that Ford was about to issue a voluntary recall. I did get the recall weeks after the incident, but my attempts to obtain reimbursement from Ford for repair of this defective liftgate glass for myself and my insurer were unsuccessful. My complaint made it to the executive offices of Ford, but they would not even talk to me because my insurance company was not subrogating - the claim was just too small for my insurer to pursue. However, there is a principle involved, and I am completely disgusted with Ford motor company. I had the car repaired by insurance after I paid the deductible, and then a couple months later, the recall work for the liftgate was done by my dealer. Recently, I noticed that the new liftgate has an ever enlarging crack down the center of the liftgate glass frame - my dealer says it is not structural and not to worry, but due to the history of this vehicle, I fear that another explosion is imminent. I was in the car at the time of the first explosion, and it was scary. I have had a warning magnetic sign placed on the rear of my vehicle to warn people to stay away from the rear of my vehicle in case of another explosion, and my dog crates are now shielded with a sun blanket to protect from flying glass. Ford has created such bad will with me that this likely will be the last Ford product I own. " updated.

The rear liftback window on my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer violently exploded while parked in a parking lot at my son's football scrimmage. At the time of the explosion, around 6:30 p. M. , I was sitting in the vehicle with my dogs, and I was parked in the shade with the rear of my car backed up up to a minivan. There was no evidence of foul play - since I was in the vehicle, I was able to quickly survey the area to make sure no one was nearby pulling a prank. The deafening explosion made such a loud noise that I involuntary ducked, and people came running from across the field to find out what had happened. Broken glass was scattered all over the inside rear of my vehicle and all over the ground on the outside of my vehicle. Had 3rd row passengers been present or had dogs been in their crates in the rear, they would have been badly cut and dazed by the explosion. The force of the explosion actually bent the frame of the liftback, like a suitcase stuffed too full of clothes would bend at the sides. The hydraulic lifters were dangling and askew. This was an extremely frightening, upsetting experience. At present, my car has been in the dealership for a week, and I am still waiting for the Ford district manager to assess the situation. I have an extended warranty on the vehicle. The service person at the dealer has cast doubt as to whether Ford will consider this a warranty item because they have "never seen a problem like this before". Ford has yet to step up and acknowledge an apparent design flaw in the back liftgate and repair my vehicle.

The liftgate is coming off while driving at any speed. Dealer has inspected vehicle twice, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.