2002 Ford Mountaineer Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and visibility (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Equipment1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
- Suspension1 9.1%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10197961, filed 2007-07, 68,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10173854, filed 2006-11Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10068562, filed 2004-04Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,000 and 77,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V442000Sep 13, 2004Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachmentsCovers: Ford Mountaineer 2002–2003, Explorer 2002–2003
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.
Recall details for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020Body and structure. This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns…
- 10014668May 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Axle seal leaks.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10012954Feb 21, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt web stop button service.
- 10012959Feb 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Axle whine howl service with individual parts instead of an axle assembly.
Other model years of the Ford Mountaineer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 72,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 6 | 80,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 7 | 73,975 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Mountaineer model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Ford Mountaineer have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2002 Ford Mountaineer as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Ford Mountaineer is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.
Has the 2002 Ford Mountaineer been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Ford Mountaineer reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 68,000 and 77,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.