Transmission Solenoid problems of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer

2003 Mercury Mountaineer awd 4. 0l. We purchased our Mountaineer in June of 2004, with 22,000 miles on the odometer. Approximately 300 miles into our ownership, we experienced a front bearing wine. Dealership covered defect under 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty. Other defects covered. . . Replacement of the rear speed sensor at 23,454 miles. A 2nd abs problem required a new actuator speed control switch assembly at 28,419 miles. Transmission shift solenoid replaced at 32,075 miles. Driver side passenger window motor replaced at 33,443 miles. Recall on rear glass hatch lift struts at 27,379 miles. January 23, 2006 our Mountaineer now has 42,777 miles on the odometer. We noticed a low pitch noise starting at 25-30 mph and becoming higher in pitch at higher speeds. Our local Lincoln / Mercury dealership service advisor determined we had a faulty rear axle ring & pinion gear set. They rebuilt our rear axle using the VIN # to determine actual bill of sales date, which was June of 2003. This gave us a warranty until June of 2006 thus nearing the end of our 36 months warranty. We regretfully admit paying a $200. 00 deductible the dealership asked for. We drove off with our newly rebuilt axle in our Mountaineer. Our noisy axle never went away. The dealership blamed this due to worn and noisy tires. We replaced these tires at 47,500 miles or 4,500 miles after the original axle noise complaint with no real apparent change to our noisy problem. Our Mercury Mountaineer went back into the shop at 48,300 miles with a noise still distinctive from the rear. Again our local Mercury dealership took a look at the SUV with the service manager riding in the vehicle. His comment. . . Sounds like an on-going rear axle issue. He would check with his district manager about replacing the entire axle assembly this time around. They contacted us by phone the next day. They didn't believe it was the axle, but one of the rear outer hub wheel bearing assemblies. It would cost us $270. 00.

Last December the engine revved and accelerated very high, around 6,000 rpms. Afterwards, the transmission engaged, acceleration lowered and the transmission changed gears while entering a street in oncoming traffic. When attempting to accelerate the engine revved but the vehicle did not move. Attempted this 3 times to no avail. On 4th attempt the transmission engaged and the vehicle moved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer said it was the solenoid pack and an oil additive that they believed were causing the problem. They performed the repairs. The problem recurred in June. Took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer found nothing on the diagnostic machine and could not duplicate the problem. The problem recurred again in July. Took the vehicle to the dealer and again the dealer could not find anything wrong. The dealer replaced the solenoid pack again because they did not know what else to do. The mechanic spoke of ongoing problems with Ford Mountaineers and explorers. Yesterday while on the highway this problem occurred again while attempting to accelerate. After several attempts the transmission engaged. Called Ford, who referred another dealer stating there was nothing they could do. Called dealer and they offered to replace the transmission.

I began having problems with my transmission shifting hard into gear. As speed increased it would jerk inot the next gear. I went to the Ford/Mercury dealership in montgomery, al. In Nov 03. They told me it needed a computer upgrade that was different from what was on my car. At the time the car was still under warranty. The jerking stopped temporaryily. I began to notice it again. Well now the warranty is gone, I did not purchase an extended warranty, the truck is 13 months old and my shift solenoid is gone. Per 2 estimates it will be costly. But I am also told at the age of my car and miles this should not be occurring unless it is a faulty transmission. One transmission company has advised me that fixing the shift solenoid will not work long until the inner part of the transmission is fixed or rebuilt.