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2003 Mercury Mountaineer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, most often about the body and structure (39% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Mountaineer model year since 2000.
Most common 2003 Mercury Mountaineer problems
Body and structure
59 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Not in an accident. A 1 1/2 inch vertical crack has appeared in the body between the middle of the back lift door under the window extending to the round Mercury symbol between the letters, r and the c. Did not notice until taking it through a car wash where I was warned it had to be covered.
Purchased the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer in 2007. We only drive the car locally for school and work and within 30 days of purchase, the car would not go into reverse. Was told the transmission was slipping and made the dealership/warranty pay for $1600 repair. Since then the check engine light comes on every 3 months.…
Transmission
42 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, axle hubs.
I drive my husband's 2003 Mercury Mountaineer it has 69000 miles on it now and we bought it used dec 2004. When the SUV shifts into 3 or 4th gear it clunks or shutters. We have taken it in to the dealers several times having it returned and told there is nothing wrong. In december 2007 we took it in again with the…
I have a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer with 78000 miles on it. The transmission was replaced three months ago for slipping and not downshifting it is now gong back in tomorrow to be repaired for needs to recall this vehicle it isn't very good.
Engine
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system.
The heater stop working 3 different times, the first time they replaced the thermostat, 2nd could not find anything wrong, dealer thinks might be intake manifold or head gasket, 3rd time say must take it apart to figure out but pressure test are within normal range.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing was replaced 3 times within 16 months. On october 1, 2008, while driving out of the driveway at an unknown speed, she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the…
Electrical
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving less than 40 MPH, the dashboard illuminated and the vehicle lost all power. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer nor the dealer for repairs, diagnostic testing nor to report the failure. The current and failure mileages were 87,700.
I've been review this site and see where several people are experiencing the same issues that I am having with my 2003 Mountaineer. The rear gate is cracking around the emblem. I've have reported this to ford and they tell me I can pay to fix it and if there is recall they will reimburse me. In addition I am also…
Suspension
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing was replaced 3 times within 16 months. On october 1, 2008, while driving out of the driveway at an unknown speed, she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the…
Right rear coil spring failure. A 5 inch long piece of coil spring was found under the vehicle on the driveway. Inspection confirmed the spring had failed. The vehicle has no crash or damage history. The broken piece of spring was corroded at both ends , indicating it was cracked for a significant amount of time…
Brakes
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, he applied the brakes and the brake pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle coasted to a stop and was towed to an independent repair shop. The contact was informed that the brake lines ruptured and the vehicle lost all brake…
After spending hours trying to remove back disc-drums found that the ebrake shoes had released from the linings on both sides rear of a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer the adhesive on the shoes had released from the shoe.
Air bags
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact own a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact states that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that both frontal side air bags needed to be…
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained lacerations to the left cheek that required medical attention. The air bag light remained illuminated and flashed a code thirteen. The…
Speed control
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Driving on highway and tried to stop for red light. Cruise control had been on but when brakes were pressed vehicle was not slowing down. As I got closer to the stopped cars I put transmission into neutral and rpms went way up. I pulled over and shut off. Had car towed and repaired. It happened again on interstate…
2003 Mercury Mountaineer the cruise control on the steering column . The off button does not work ,the brake pedal must be applied, and the button to slow down the truck also does not work . No specific date ,a complaint was made to ford when it first happened when the truck was under warranty but they said they could…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Summary
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.by the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (I.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during ea09-013, odi identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.the highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the automatic transmission parking system, was 4.4/100k.the next-highest failure rate was for the bsi system, at 3.4/100k.for all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Questions about the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (59 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); transmission (42 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); engine (11 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mercury Mountaineer?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Mountaineer model year since 2000, with 152 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.