2003 Mercury Mountaineer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, 6% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Faulty airbags: on november 3, 2015 at approximately 0540, the side curtain (both driver side and passenger side) airbags exploded in my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer without cause while I was traveling 55 MPH on a major/busy state highway. The explosion of the airbags hit me on my left side causing neck strain and temporary hearing loss to the left ear. I was the only occupant in the vehicle. I was able to safely drive to shoulder of road (I don't remember how I got there), luckily no cars were around me at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10811019, filed 2015-12, 200,000 miles“Dt: airbag light illuminated for 16 months. Vehicle has been taken to dealer several times for this problem, but dealer was unable to remedy this situation. Dealer could not determine why this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10126709, filed 2005-06, 16,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 10 to 15 MPH, the passenger and driver side air bags deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention, but they couldn't afford to go. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,610.”
NHTSA complaint #10863398, filed 2016-05, 79,610 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained lacerations to the left cheek that required medical attention. The air bag light remained illuminated and flashed a code thirteen. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10721708, filed 2015-05, 120,000 miles“The contact own a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact states that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that both frontal side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10660466, filed 2014-11, 110,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 9 | 6% |
| 2002 | 20 | 5% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 9 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 7 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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