NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Ford Mountaineer Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Ford Mountaineer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Ford Mountaineer owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Mountaineer, describing incidents dated April 21, 2004 to August 11, 2014.

Most-cited components

Power Train 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Equipment 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10631663 · Filed September 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
ODI #10210076 · Filed November 27, 2007
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE SEEN WHERE MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL SUV HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR BEARINGS AS WELL. TO ME IT SEEMS IF EVERYONE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THESE BEARING THAT THERE WOULD…
ODI #10206322 · Filed October 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE RESET BUTTON WAS PRESSED, IT TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY…

Read all 11 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Ford Mountaineer in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE04-045: REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY
Closed September 28, 2004
- Recall 04V-442
Service Query SQ01-015: INOPERATIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM
Closed July 2, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FORD/REAR LIFTGATE GLASS

NHTSA #04V442000 · Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate — Hinge and Attachments · NHTSA notice

Reported September 13, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 955,732 vehicles

Ford campaign 04S20 · Owners notified September 30, 2004 · Vehicles built August 1, 2000 – June 23, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Safety consequence

IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04S20.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Tires — Tread/Belt

NHTSA #01X001000 · NHTSA notice

Reported May 22, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 13,000,000 vehicles

Ford campaign 01B77 · Owners notified June 4, 2001

Defect description

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer.

Power Train

ODI #10631663

Incident: August 11, 2014 · Filed: September 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

Suspension

ODI #10210076

Incident: November 20, 2007 · Filed: November 27, 2007

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE SEEN WHERE MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL SUV HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR BEARINGS AS WELL. TO ME IT SEEMS IF EVERYONE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THESE BEARING THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. IT IS NOT ONLY A EXPENSIVE PART IT IS ALSO A SAFETY RISK. I AMONG OTHERS DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE ALL THOSE PARTS. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS TRUCK EVERYDAY AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A RISK TO DRIVE IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10206322

Incident: October 17, 2007 · Filed: October 19, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE RESET BUTTON WAS PRESSED, IT TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,708 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train

ODI #10197961

Incident: June 22, 2007 · Filed: July 31, 2007

TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING, HAD DEALER POWER FLUSH AND FILL TRANSMISSION AND REPROGRAM PCM THIS FIXED PROBLEM FOR 3 DAYS, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT ANYTIME SO REPAIRS HAVE TO BE DONE AT A COST OF $3600.00 AT DEALER. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10185362

Incident: February 2, 2007 · Filed: March 16, 2007

I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ESPECIALY MOUNTAINEERS AND THE FORD EXPLORER.SO I TOLD THIS TO MERCURY DO THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEY SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TTHEY HEARD OF THIS. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD TRANSMISSIONS JUST DONT GO BAD IN 5 YEARS I HAVE 2 OYTHER VEHICLES I ONLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK THERE IS NO REASON FOR MY TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD IN 5 YEARS. I TRIED TO BE COMPANSATED FOR THE RRRPEPAIRS THEY JUST IGNORE ME. WHAT CAN I DO. THANK YOU: ROBERT JOHN 3-16-2007

Visibility; Equipment

ODI #10173854

Incident: November 20, 2006 · Filed: November 20, 2006

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I HAD TO HAVE MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FIXED. I LET IT DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IT THE 6TH ONE HE HAS HAD TO FIX IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT COST ME OVER $200.00 TO HAVE A GASKET/SEAL PUT ON THE WINDOW. IT WAS NOT THE MOTOR BUT A PART THAT ATTACHES TO THE WINDOW. *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10126732

Incident: June 21, 2005 · Filed: June 27, 2005

THE FEUL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AND I TOOK THE VECHILE TO COUNTRY LINCOLN MERCURY WEST (676 WEST MERRICK ROAD VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 PHONE: (516) 285-0505 FAX: (516) 285-5565 ). THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THERE WAS A SSM ON THE FUEL GAUGE. I THEN NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I CAME OUT OF THE VECHILE. WITHIN A WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I RETURNED THE VICHELE TO THE SAME DEALER ON JUNE 21, 2005 ONLY TO FIND OUT THE GAS TANK WAS NOT SEALING PROPERELY. I AM BEING TOLD FORD DON'T HAVE ANY GAS TANK AVAILABLE UNTIL THE THIRD WEEK IN JULY 2005.

Visibility

ODI #10097754

Incident: October 2, 2004 · Filed: October 21, 2004

RE: 2002 MOUNTAINER , SAFETY RECALL, REAR GLASS BROKEN OUT, REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDOW MOTOR. *BF CONSUMER SHUT THE BACK WINDOW AND THE GLASS BLEW OUT THROWING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TOP PART OF THE BACK DOOR FELL ON THE CONSUMER. *TC

Steering; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train

ODI #10068562

Incident: April 21, 2004 · Filed: April 21, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT MOVE. THE GEAR SHIFT DID NOT MOVE FROM PARK, AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND NEITHER COULD LOCATE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10020299

Filed: May 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION/MAIN COMPUTER, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. *NLM

Other Ford Mountaineer model years

Check your 2002 Ford Mountaineer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Mountaineer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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