Model year
2002 Mercury Mountaineer
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 372 complaints for the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (89), POWER TRAIN (38), STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS (23). NHTSA lists 5 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$4,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 123 complaints
- 2001 22 complaints
- 2002 372 complaints
- 2003 152 complaints
- 2004 210 complaints
- 2005 82 complaints
- 2006 117 complaints
- 2007 81 complaints
- 2008 96 complaints
- 2009 6 complaints
- 2010 13 complaints
Recalls
09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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…
01V171000 · May 24, 2001
TIRES:SIDEWALL
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.
Complaints
372 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 17, fire flag on 7, injury field 38, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA02010 | MIS-ASSEMBLED AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING · AIR BAGS | Jul 2, 2002 | Feb 25, 2003 |
| PE04045 | REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY · STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Jun 2, 2004 | Sep 28, 2004 |
| PE05037 | STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Jul 7, 2005 | Nov 2, 2005 |
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
| EA09013 | Vehicle Rollaway Allegations · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND… | Aug 18, 2009 | Feb 12, 2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Mountaineer 2WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Mountaineer 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Mountaineer 4WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Mountaineer 4WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Mountaineer 2WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Mercury Mountaineer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.