2002 Mercury Mountaineer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 6%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 6% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle was parked. After starting the vehicle, with foot on brake pedal and parking brake released, I attempted to shift from park into drive and the gearshift broke off in my hand. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership and I am awaiting the estimate for repair costs. This is my second ford SUV to do this after 80k miles. The repair have been going for around $1300 or more.”
NHTSA complaint #10610170, filed 2014-07, 84,880 miles“I went to go pick up my son from school, when I went to put it on drive the shifting handle broke off. I didnt even do it hard. I had to get my car towed to my house and had to pay to get it fixed. I looked it up and theres alot more people that have complaints about this and that it should go to recall its just not safe, what if were driving and changing gears on the road and someone gets hurt even death.”
NHTSA complaint #10459321, filed 2012-05, 109,000 miles“I went to take my vehicle for emissions test and oil change and when I went to move the gear shift from park to drive, it just dangled in the air. I found this totally unbelievable!!!!!, needless to say, my key was stuck in the ignition due to it being stuck in park. I had to have it towed and steering column replaced. Then yesterday while having the brakes fixed and trying to have it test driven, the key was stuck in the ignition again and not able to move to the engine start position. …”
NHTSA complaint #10639005, filed 2014-09, 18,000 miles“Shifting gears from reverse to drive when gear shifter broke off in my hand leaving car stuck in reverse with no way of changing gears. Had to have complete steering column replaced because column is not designed to let you replace the broken part only. Had to search for the part in junk yards and all the columns that could be found in junkyards had the same trouble broken off shifter. Had to order a new steering column and I do have the old column and receipts.”
NHTSA complaint #10315635, filed 2010-03, 120,000 miles“I went to shift my car into reverse and the stick shift located next to steering wheel came off in my hand, went to dealer and the part was $800.00 for the whole steering column, the part that broke was a small piece holding the stick, but dealer said it had to replace all of it. Since I could not afford that amount I searched for a used part and everyone said it was very common on these cars and I finally found one for $200.00 but have not had it installed due to costs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10245634, filed 2008-10, 99,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 15% |
| 2009 | 2 | 33% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 23 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
144 complaintsBody and structure
70 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsBrakes
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 30, 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