2003 Mercury Mountaineer Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 39%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,784miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, 39% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,784 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The back lift gate is cracked from the bottom of the window, around the side of the Mercury emblem, all the way down. I've noticed the same cracking on almost every other Mountaineer on the roads, and I see a huge number of the same complaint on the NHTSA website. Obviously this is a defect and needs to be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10479251, filed 2012-10, 98,000 miles“The back lift gate is cracked from the bottom of the window, thru the Mercury emblem, and all the way down. I've seen nearly identical cracking on many other mountaineers. I see a rather large number of the same complaints on the NHTSA website. Obviously this is a defect that could result in injuries and needs to be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10375435, filed 2011-01, 42,000 miles“The back lift gate is cracked from the bottom of the window, around the left side of the Mercury emblem, and all the way down. I've noticed the same cracking on almost every other Mountaineer on the roads, and I see a huge number of the same complaint on the NHTSA website. Obviously this is a defect and needs to be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10374032, filed 2011-01, 106,000 miles“There is a crack from the bottom of the rear window right by the Mercury emblem, all the way down. I've seen nearly identical cracking on many other mountaineers and explorers. I see a rather large number of the same complaints on several websites. Obviously this is a defect that could result in injuries and needs to be recalled for safety reasons. Mercury/ford needs to stand behind their product.”
NHTSA complaint #10454775, filed 2012-04, 65,000 miles“I have a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and it has a crack on the liftgate that starts at the top in the middle, goes around the Mercury emblem and continues down to the bottom of the liftgate. I am worried that the glass will fall out or break one day when I hit a bump or close the tailgate. Or will the glass shatter when I hit a bump or close it?”
NHTSA complaint #10287274, filed 2009-10, 93,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
- 10013074Oct 1, 2002Sun visor rattle / detroit area dealers contact request.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 6% |
| 2006 | 7 | 6% |
| 2005 | 26 | 32% |
| 2004 | 79 | 38% |
| 2003 | 59 | 39% |
| 2002 | 70 | 19% |
| 2001 | 3 | 14% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 11 | 5% |
| 1997 | 9 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
42 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsAir bags
9 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 Oct 29, 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