Three problems related to steering have been reported for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Mountaineer.
1) front wheel bearing hub assembly failure resulting in unsafe​ undriveable (this has been repeatedly​ reported by vehicle owners regardless of vehicles milage) failure accured while slowing down for a stoplight after exiting a parking lot of a restaurant 2) lift hatch cracked center of hatch above the emblem potentially allowing water into the interior working of hatch and causing untold and unseen water related damages​(this is an admitted Ford manufacturing defect across the entire vehicle​ line spending multiple years production).
I have had a problem for a couple years when I put the car in gear it doesn't "lock" in the gear I have to adjust it twice, didn't think much of it and thank god no accident. But I just learned to deal with it until I saw this. Want updates on this issue.
Rear back hatch cracked when purchased, promised to be fixed by dealership, but they never honored their promise. I have since seen several Mercury Mountaineers with the rear back hatch cracked as well, wondering why their wasn't a recall?? also transmission problems, already replaced transfer case and now power steering is leaking.