CarModelProblems.com

2002 Mercury Mountaineer Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
372Complaints
4Recalls
17Crashes
7Fires
38Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (23.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission89 · 23.9%not available
Power Train38 · 10.2%not available
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments23 · 6.2%not available
Steering15 · 4%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling15 · 4%not available
Suspension:rear15 · 4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN38 · 10.2%
STEERING15 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15 · 4%
SUSPENSION:REAR15 · 4%
STRUCTURE:BODY15 · 4%
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR12 · 3.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 3.2%
SUSPENSION11 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 372 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 01I010000 · 2001 · reported 04/10/2001

ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:sidewall

NHTSA campaign 01V171000 · 2001 · reported 05/24/2001

OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DT: ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. RIGHT AWAY OWNER COMPLAINED OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10128756 — filed 07/14/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RELACED. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OPERATIONALY. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT O/D…”NHTSA complaint 10126749 — filed 06/27/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ERRATICALLY ON UP-SHIFT, 2-3 / 3-4 AND 4-5. 5/16/05 MILEAGE 55K. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, ISSUE EXPLAINED AND FIXED ON…”NHTSA complaint 10121653 — filed 05/20/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

3620074658200956182011174201318102015592017122020412023

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 89 of 372 NHTSA complaints (23.9%), followed by power train (38), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments (23), steering (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have?

372 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 38 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E104000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.