2002 Mercury Mountaineer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 9%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 9% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My spark plug on #2 cylinder just shot out of my truck's engine... Argh!!!! Destroyed my coil pack and could have busted the fuel line. And now I cant put in the spark plug. Wtf........???????”
NHTSA complaint #10706419, filed 2015-04, 200,000 miles“While driving on i75, I heard a loud bang then a constant popping sound from under the hood. I pulled off the interstate and looked under the hood. I found that one of the spark plugs had blown out of the engine, which allowed fuel to escape into the engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10285210, filed 2009-09, 125,630 miles“Just left the highway and ended up at a red light traffic signal and one the light turned green, I went to drive off and a loud boom I could hear coming from under my hood, as I looked in my rear view mirror a semi truck started honking its horn and slammed to miss hitting from behind. I went to pull to the side the road but truck was jumping all over and I had to pull in front of cars turning which I smelt a smell like something burning.”
NHTSA complaint #10279745, filed 2009-08, 110,000 miles“Just left the highway and ended up at a red light traffic signal and one the light turned green, I went to drive off and a loud boom I could hear coming from under my hood, as I looked in my rear view mirror a semi truck started honking its horn and slammed to miss hitting from behind. I went to pull to the side the road but truck was jumping all over and I had to pull in front of cars turning which I smelt a smell like something burning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279746, filed 2009-08, 110,000 miles“I had a spark plug blow out of my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer 4.6l engine. The car has 86,000 miles on it but this is the second engine. The original engine was replaced in dec 2003 when it had 49,000 miles on it. The original engine seized up after an oil pump failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10144442, filed 2005-12, 86,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018959Dec 14, 2005Extended coverage program 05n04 - extended coverage for composite intake manifold. This program is being provided as a settlement to a class action lawsuit. The terms of the…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017881Apr 1, 2005No start/hard start n hot soak restart.
- 10016798Jan 1, 2005Hard start/no start condition during cold ambeint temperatures after short hot soak period-4.0l engine.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
- 10013064Oct 28, 2002Excessive sulfur smell from exhaust.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 37% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 33 | 9% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 8% |
| 1997 | 14 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
144 complaintsBody and structure
70 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEquipment
13 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology