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SuspensionPart report

2003 Mercury Mountaineer Suspension Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
7%of 152 total for the year
Median mileage
72,021miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, 7% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,021 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.

“2003 Mercury Mountaineer awd 4.0l. We purchased our Mountaineer in june of 2004, with 22,000 miles on the odometer. Approximately 300 miles into our ownership, we experienced a front bearing wine. Dealership covered defect under 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty. Other defects covered...replacement of the rear speed sensor at 23,454 miles. A 2nd ABS problem required a new actuator speed control switch assembly at 28,419 miles. Transmission shift solenoid replaced at 32,075 miles. Driver side passenger window motor replaced at 33,443 miles. Recall on rear glass hatch lift struts at 27,379 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10163859, filed 2006-07, 22,300 miles

“Right rear coil spring failure. A 5 inch long piece of coil spring was found under the vehicle on the driveway. Inspection confirmed the spring had failed. The vehicle has no crash or damage history. The broken piece of spring was corroded at both ends , indicating it was cracked for a significant amount of time before the total failure. Online research indicates this may be an endemic problem with this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10394942, filed 2011-04, 85,000 miles

“When replacing wheel bearings (another infamous ford defect on these vehicles), noticed both rear coil springs broken in multiple places at top of spring, where coils dug into each other and created a stress riser. This can eventually cause a loss of vehicle control.”

NHTSA complaint #10262655, filed 2009-03, 145,000 miles

“2003 Mercury Mountaineer recalls I have had to change the intake manifold, ignition coils, I'm having a gas smells now, transmission thumps hard when going into first gear, sounds like my rear end is about to fall out, my front seat is electric and doesn't move, the o/d light comes on, check engine light on, brake light on, I keep trying to fix everything the more I fix the more problems that come up, I have check the recall list for 2003 Mercury Mountaineer recall on transmission and also called the ford co they said there is nothing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10907125, filed 2016-09

“To this date the following problems are present: gas gauge sticks, air bag warning light comes on and off, driver's side door rattles and knocks, driver's side window taps, driver's side window grinds while moving up and down, clock and radio do not light up or work when start vehicle, sun roof rattles and knocks, wind gets caught between roof and headliner which creates a loud vibration, the passenger side window also rattles and knocks, there is a loud rhythmic chirp toward rear of vehicle, heating and cooling controls squeal when turning on or switching vent settings, driver's seat feels…”

NHTSA complaint #10043237, filed 2003-10

Related service bulletins

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200711%
200611%
200511%
200463%
2003107%
20023610%
2001418%
200065%
199943%
1998115%
1997155%

Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer

Body and structure
59 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
42 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Engine cooling
10 complaints
Air bags
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
9 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
6 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 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