30th Jul 2008, 19:57

I just bought a 2002 Merc Mtnrwith 43,000 miles a month ago. Guess what, the transmission started on two separate occasions. I turned off the car and then turned it back on. It then drives fine with no warning lights on. I checked with a transmission specialist wh said if there are no shavings in the pan he will put in a valve body with new solenoids. If there are shavings present he will want to replace the transmission. Any know if installing a Ford "remanufactured" transmission with a warranty will be any better than the original transmission?

How many problems with transmissions does there need to be before there is a recall?

Sorry in Minnesota.

14th Aug 2008, 21:34

I have a 2002 mercury mountaineer with 90,000 miles on it. It drives well now, but I did experience transmission skipping, especially going from reverse to drive. I also experienced the shuttering everyone is talking about. I ended up replacing two of the 8 coils and it runs much better now. They also found that the air flow meter is dirty and that the throttle bleed is starting to carbon. Will a fuel injection service clean the air flow meter throttle body? Should I get rid of this thing or will it last me a few more years without major work needed?

22nd Aug 2008, 14:26

To all of you who are suffering with their Mountaineers... I can add to it and beg you all to tell everyone you know to NEVER BUY A MERCURY product! I had a 2004 Mountaineer that bought in April 2004 I owned it until Feb 2006 when at 33,000 miles the transmission went. Keep in mind this is after several trips to the telling them that the transmission is clunking and they would say... we can't hear it, it's nothing, after all I am a female! The dealer, “to make it right" trade me out into a new 2006 Mercury Monterey with me loosing 6K. Well last night at 44,000 miles I was driving the Monterey and guess what happened... you got it... the transmission went out. I had purchased an extended warranty with Mercury that they are now trying to decided if it's covered or not. Can you all say... MERCURY REALLY BITES???

29th Aug 2008, 01:44

My husband and I bought our 2002 Mountaineer RWD V-6, a year and a half ago. When we purchased it used, it had 77,000 miles on it. We LOVE this SUV!! It has been a dream ride and has had no problems whatsoever up until a few days ago.

It now has 121,000 miles on it (yes we travel a lot) and the transmission has started to slip into 2nd while accelerating. There is no noises or knocking sounds, or anything else. The tranny light isn't even on. We did not know when we bought it that there was no tranny maintenance, so now we are reluctant to jump into anything. We want to look at all the possible things that could be causing it to slip, but we need to do it soon before the slip turns into worse. I want to save my car, we love it, plus we can't afford to lose it right now. Any suggestions?

6th Sep 2008, 20:44

I also have an 02 Mountaineer and all these comments are par for the course. I have replaced the front differential, front and rear axle seals, ignition coils, rear coil springs. I'm sure I forgot some other things. My biggest problem is the engine ejecting spark plugs. We've had to put 2 helicoils in to stop this. Now the I have to replace both heads due to cracks. I feel and share all your pain. The only thing I feel we can do is share our stories and avoid Ford products. I enjoy watching Ford lose millions each quarter as their sales plummet. They get what they deserve. I'm losing money fixing my car so should they.

7th Sep 2008, 00:18

Also have 02 mountaineer AWD. the OD/Check Trans is blinking, and has been going on for about 6-8 months. It just shifts hard going into overdrive, so I will not fix this thing is a lemon. We bought it used with 18,000 miles. it paid for itself, but now clicking sound in front. I took it to a shop thinking it was CV joint; they said it was either the front diff or transfer case (that I would have to take it to dealership to see). Also had 2 windows not working, sunroof trim coming off, leather cracking, door hinges rusting, and various other minor problems. The only problem I have not had is with the engine, Knock on wood. Buying a new Nissan Altima for my wife and I haven't decided what I am going to do with this thing. Ford should issue a National recall on this model. No other ford products for me.

9th Sep 2008, 20:21

In putting new tires on our 2002 Mountaineer, we found a rear spring broken in two. Does Mercury have any recalls?

24th Nov 2008, 13:19

I own a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer and its the worst car you can buy. I have taken it to the dealer itself to see why for the past yr I had a loud clicking, grinding noise coming from the rear when I brake and no one can find the problem! It is really embarrissing when I stop because people just look at me with that loud noise. Does any one know what it can be?Please help!!!

28th Nov 2008, 11:44

I own a 2002 Mountaineer and I have had nothing but problems since I bought it in 2003 with 10k miles.

I have replaced the engine once, the trans twice, and now the rear end is grinding, so I am about to take it in and I am sure they will inform me that my differential is now bad, and I am going to have to lay down another $2k on top of the $15 K in repairs that have already been done.

On a brighter note, if you can afford the repairs the truck is amazing in the snow!

Really disappointed in the problems I have faced with this SUV, most likely switching to import Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5, which I could of been driving in the first place with all this money going into the Mountaineer!

STAY AWAY FROM 2002 MOUNTAINEERS.

2nd Dec 2008, 07:44

What a BUMMER!!! I have had my 2003 Mountaineer for a year and a half, and am SO ready to get rid of it! About a year ago, my O/D light came on and my 2nd gear would stick, that was close to $800 to fix.. (Luckily I didn't listen to those mechanics wanting $2k for a new transmission!) Then yesterday, on my way to work, I had an antifreeze smell coming through my vents, and a smoke-like fog on my windshield. It is now once again in the shop, and from what I have researched, my heater core more than likely has a leak.. Another EXPENSIVE fix!! And once again, interfering with my work, having to get rides, leave early, etc. I have also noticed that clicking noise that others on here have experienced, but never had that checked out. This truck has 75k miles, and I regret the day I purchased it! It is a beautiful vehicle, just a heap of junk to try to maintain! If the mechanic calls me to tell me I have to replace the heater core, I will be at the dealership ready to dump this thing and get something RELIABLE! What a lemon!!!