2002 Mercury Mountaineer
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 144 of 372 complaints (39%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 22 in 2001 to 372 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,150 | 3,650–4,150 | 3,900–4,450 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–16 | 15–17 | 14–16 | 15–16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 18–19 | 13–15 / 18–20 | 12–14 / 17–19 | 13–14 / 18–19 | 13–14 / 18–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–592 | 523–592 | 555–635 | 555–592 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 123 | 22 | 372 | 152 | 210 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 2 | 17 | 6 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 12 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 3 | 38 | 9 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 144 of 372 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer get?
EPA rates it 14–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer?
EPA estimates $3,900–$4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $4,450 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 35 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 144 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 78 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 34 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009
Defect: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 07E104000 · Dec 11, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 01I010000 · Jul 23, 2001
Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MONTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
Consequence: ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE POSITION OF BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT LIFTGATGE GLASS LIFT CYLINDER BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS ARE IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE BRACKET RETAINERS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. IN CASES WHERE THE BRACKET IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, THE BRACKET MUST BE RE-ALIGNED.
TIRES:SIDEWALL · Campaign 01V171000 · Jun 1, 2001
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.