MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mercury Mountaineer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Mercury Mountaineer
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
372
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 151 complaints 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2002: 372 complaints 2002 372 2003: 152 complaints 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2010
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1997 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 151 complaints 1999 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2001 2002: 372 complaints 2002 372 2003: 152 complaints 2003 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2005 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2007 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 13 complaints 2010
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1997 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 151 complaints 1999 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2001 2002: 372 complaints 2002 372 2003: 152 complaints 2003 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2005 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2007 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 13 complaints 2010

2002: 372 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19963
1997328
1998236
1999151
2000123
200122
2002372
2003152
2004210
200582
2006117
200781
200896
20096
201013

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

40% · 149 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle transmission slipped, jumped and made clunking noises. The steering column locked up. The rear hatch fell onto the consumers head which resulted in retinal detachment and balance trouble. *mr *ph *ak *nlm…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-16

Also filed under Structure and steering

Structure

20% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing hinge and attachments and body.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My mother was at her parents' house and opened the rear glass portion of the lift gate. Upon doing so, one of the lift gate cylinders detached from the glass. She went inside to get her father to come outside and see if he could fix the issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-06

Also filed under Visibility and visibility/wiper

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate failed to latch securely on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-05

Suspension

11% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing rear and coil springs.

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY

Visibility

8% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing glass, side/rear and power window devices and controls.

INJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-06-07Tires01V171000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right side tires may have horizontal cuts on the edge of the tread that could have occurred during vehicle assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tires and, if any slices are found, the cut tires will be replaced. Owner notification began June 7, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 372 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. I
    2002-07-02Engineering analysisClosed 2003-02-25 Mis-assembled airbag clockspring
  4. I
    2004-06-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-09-28 Rear liftgate glass assembly
  5. I
    2005-07-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-11-02 Stuck engine throttle
  6. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  7. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…

    Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2009-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2013-02-12 Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
  9. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    Date not on fileVisibility01I010000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 2002 Ford explorer and Mercury montaineer sport utility vehicles.

    Remedy: Ford dealers will inspect the vehicles for the position of both the left and right liftgatge glass lift cylinder brackets. If the brackets are in the proper position, the bracket retainers will be tightened to a higher torque.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 149 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 73 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 42 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01I010000 · Visibility
  • Recall 01V171000 · Tires
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.