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 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 10018064Oct 7, 2005Noise from rear wheel hub bearings.
- 10016789Jan 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 36 | 10% |
| 2001 | 4 | 18% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 11 | 5% |
| 1997 | 15 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine cooling
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 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