2002 Ford Mountaineer recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS…
What could happen: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 MOUNTAINEER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01X001000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-917-3673.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000.
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER
CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC
CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER
CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO
NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Notes:
2. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
What could happen: IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE R…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 MOUNTAINEER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V442000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-392-3673.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Summary: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Notes: FORD RECALL NO. 04S20. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 2002 Ford Mountaineer owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (5), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Suspension (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/08/2014 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.
11/27/2007 · Suspension
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS AND HAVE SEEN WHERE MANY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL SUV HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR BEARINGS AS WELL. TO ME IT SEEMS IF EVERYONE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THESE BEARING THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLA…
10/19/2007 · Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE RESET BUTTON WAS PRESSED, IT TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VIN WAS INVALID AND THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNK…
07/31/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING, HAD DEALER POWER FLUSH AND FILL TRANSMISSION AND REPROGRAM PCM THIS FIXED PROBLEM FOR 3 DAYS, THEN PROBLEM RETURNED. HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT ANYTIME SO REPAIRS HAVE TO BE DONE AT A COST OF $3600.00 AT DEALER. *JB
03/16/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE…
11/20/2006 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 FORD/MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I HAD TO HAVE MY RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FIXED. I LET IT DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT COME BACK UP SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND HE SAID THIS IT THE 6TH ONE HE HAS HAD TO FIX IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART. IT COST ME OVER $200.00 TO HAVE A GASKET/SEAL PUT ON THE WINDOW. IT WAS NOT THE M…
06/27/2005 · Fuel system
THE FEUL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AND I TOOK THE VECHILE TO COUNTRY LINCOLN MERCURY WEST (676 WEST MERRICK ROAD VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 PHONE: (516) 285-0505 FAX: (516) 285-5565 ). THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THERE WAS A SSM ON THE FUEL GAUGE. I THEN NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I CAME OUT OF THE VECHILE. WITHIN A WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGH…
10/21/2004 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
RE: 2002 MOUNTAINER , SAFETY RECALL, REAR GLASS BROKEN OUT, REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDOW MOTOR. *BF CONSUMER SHUT THE BACK WINDOW AND THE GLASS BLEW OUT THROWING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TOP PART OF THE BACK DOOR FELL ON THE CONSUMER. *TC