Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Structure:body (17.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Structure:body complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:body | 26 · 17.1% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 19 · 12.5% | not available | — |
| Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 15 · 9.9% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 15 · 9.9% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 10 · 6.6% | not available | — |
| Structure | 9 · 5.9% | 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.
Percentages are the share of the 152 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.
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
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.
“WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO WELL KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER. THE BODY PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH IS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE AND FRIDAY WE…”NHTSA complaint 10423238 — filed 09/04/2011 · STRUCTURE:BODY
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DECKLID PANEL WAS CRACKED DUE TO THE COLDER WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10392156 — filed 03/18/2011 · STRUCTURE:BODY
“2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CRACKED PANEL ON BACK LIFT GATE FROM WINDOW AROUND RIGHT SIDE OF ROUND EMBLEM TO BOTTOM. SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST…”NHTSA complaint 10375390 — filed 01/10/2011 · STRUCTURE:BODY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Structure:body issues are the most-reported category, cited in 26 of 152 NHTSA complaints (17.1%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (19), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (15), power train (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
152 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 07E104000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
