Mountaineer (2nd)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 207 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.6-V8-Gas
4.6L 8-cyl / 225 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Mountaineer Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
4.2-V6-Gas
4.2L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 130 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
7.2-I6-Diesel
7.2L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.3-I4-Gas
2.3L 4-cyl / 153 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cyl / 240 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Mountaineer, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer
On a used 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (344), the body and structure (261) and the engine (153). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 344 owner complaints on the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 261 owner complaints on the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer about the body and structure.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer about the engine, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 120 owner complaints on the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer about the electrical system.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 115 owner complaints on the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Recalls (7)
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
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.
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."
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer complaints?
Owners have filed 1,126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the body and trim and the engine.
Is the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer have?
NHTSA has 1,126 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mercury Mountaineer?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the body and trim and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Mountaineer?
The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,126 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.