Model year
2003 Mercury Mountaineer
NHTSA lists 0 recalls and 152 complaints for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (26), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (19), POWER TRAIN (15). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$4,450, 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
No recalls are listed for this name in the matched NHTSA file.
Complaints
152 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 6, fire flag on 5, injury field 9, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Mountaineer 4WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Mountaineer 4WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Mountaineer 2WD FFV · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
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 2003 Mercury Mountaineer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.