Tailgate problems of the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer

Operating the tailgate window hinges broke off screws appeared to have severe corrosion vehicle was stationary.

Rear tailgate window hinge broke while having the window only open and putting away groceries. Upon closing the window, the right hinge broke causing the window to almost fall off of the car. I attempted, with assistance from others in the parking lot, to push the window back into the frame and have it lock at the center latch. The latch is no longer engaged and I have attempted to push on the window to connect with the latch. I am not strong enough to do so. The window is at a point where it could fall off of my car. There was a recall on this part for 2000-2003 vehicles of this make and model. Ford is not carrying over the recall to 2004 stating the defect is not the same (with the details) as the recall itself. It is still the same defective part! I am of short stature and do not have the strength to push the window the 1" or so to get it into the frame to lock successfully. I have contacted my local Ford dealership for advice but have been told I would need to pay out of pocket. I am at risk of having the window fall off the back of my car and do not currently have the money to pay for this repair at this time. There have been several complaints noted for this equipment failure on this site for the 2004 Mountaineer. Just not sure what to do next. My vehicle is my bread and butter in order to work.

I own a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer has four thousand miles. The vehicle was storage in garage for four and half years. I started to use the vehicle on last fall of 2009. On September I see the tailgate developed a crack around the emblem and the rear glass. The heater is not working also. This is obvious manufacture defects!.

The failure is for a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and the failure is a crack in the lift gate that occurs right alongside the Mercury emblem or logo on the back of the tailgate or lift gate. This crack has been reported numerous times on online forums and to me seems like a deficiency in the material that makes up the lift gate or tailgate. (I. E. - the logo is so big and the material around the logo emblem so thin that it cracks under pressure and change in temperature) I would also like to add that I have been told that the Ford explorer has a recall for this exact type of problem, yet Mercury has yet to issue a recall for the Mountaineer. The vehicles that have incurred this type of problem have been around the same years (2004-2006 models - or at least the vehicles that I have seen this problem occur in. ) 1. The events that have led up to this failure includes: Mercury and Ford are solely to blame for producing a faulty tailgate or lift gate on these vehicles and should recall them. The change in temperature along with average usage of shutting or closing the tailgate would cause a vibration to promote the tailgate to crack. I noticed my failure or crack in mid-August of 2008, I've owned my vehicle since 2004 but it has been garaged all of those years except for last year, which could explain why it happened last year (change in temperature more severe). 2. I have noted how the failure occurs, its consequences include a crack in the lift gate of the vehicle, which is aesthetically non-appealing, and this could lead to a larger crack in the lift gate that could eventually cause major problems for the vehicle. This crack (which is not minor, 3 - 5 inches usually) could also reduce or lead to compromising the vehicles structural integrity and reduce crash test ratings. This is a big concern for your safety. 3. I personally spent over $400 to replace the entire lift gate. I should be reimbursed and Mercury should recall this problem.