MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mercury Mountaineer

● Typical for this model
2003 Mercury Mountaineer
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:00.670Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
152
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

41% 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 2003: 152 complaints 2003 152 2004: 210 complaints 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 2003: 152 complaints 2003 152 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 2003: 152 complaints 2003 152 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

2003: 152 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.

Structure

41% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.

Power train

30% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Big o techs conned wife into buying 2 tires and we own awd SUV that requires 4 at the same intervals .I immediately notify them that this is not safe and will damage my car they continued for over 2 months to lie to me about having somemone comtact...

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-16

Also filed under Wheels

On 9/2/06, I used my vehicle to go to store and while at the store, I had difficulty placing the vehicle into park and needed to shut vehicle off to finally lock it into park. I then returned home with the vehicle and parked it in my driveway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-09-16

2003 Mountaineer transaxle housing broke in half. The oil from the transaxle leaked on the exhaust causing a small fire. *ts the driver indicated that she may have hit an object in the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-04-05

Suspension

8% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing rear and wheel bearing.

Electrical system

7% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

7% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

FIRE

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    2009-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2013-02-12 Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.