2002 Mercury Mountaineer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 144about this part
- Share
- 39%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,592miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 144 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, 39% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,592 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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“While driving my vehicle the o/d light starts flashing very fast. I can hear the vehicle revving as I am pressing on the gas. All of a sudden a hard pop and then the vehicle starts to accelerate. I try to continue home and the vehicle gets to around 30 MPH and does it again, as time goes on (same drive) it gets harder to shift into gear around 20 MPH and stays at that speed. Vehicle is a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer with 150,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10584401, filed 2014-04, 150,000 miles“Transmission will not shift into second gear and from what I am told is that for my year and model it is a mass problem not just a isolated incident my check transmission light came on the display my over drive light was flashing rapidly and only drives at 20mph now.”
NHTSA complaint #10443137, filed 2012-01, 120,000 miles“Our Mountaineer has 84,257 miles on it and the transmission already has to be rebuilt. The transmission shop told me there was nothing that I did wrong or I could of done to prevent it, that this is a common problem with this transmission. The dealership and ford won't help us because the warranty is up.”
NHTSA complaint #10220805, filed 2008-03, 84,257 miles“I have a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer that the transmission needs to be relaced. There was nothing wrong with the transmission operationaly. The dashboard light o/d check transmission. The dealer which we purchased said the trans needed to be replaceed at $3200. I sent a letter to ford motor company asking for assistance. They contacted me and sated the could not help.”
NHTSA complaint #10126749, filed 2005-06, 52,587 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10012952Jun 7, 2005Driveline 1st order vibration/boom/drone.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014089Dec 13, 20045r55w transmission - no 3rd gear or slipping 2-3 shift - diagnostic trouble code p0733 and p0745 - vehicles built prior to 3/4/2002.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013398Nov 15, 2004Gear selector lever - increased effort to shift from drive to park.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10011333Sep 1, 2004Updated rear halfshaft removal procedure.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 15% |
| 2008 | 9 | 9% |
| 2007 | 25 | 31% |
| 2006 | 39 | 33% |
| 2005 | 19 | 23% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 42 | 28% |
| 2002 | 144 | 39% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 15 | 12% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer
70 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsEngine cooling
33 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 31, 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