From the time the consumer purchased the vehicle there have been problems with it. The transmission in the vehicle made a loud clunking sound. The dealer replaced the transmission once but the consumer continued to experience problems. The head liner on the ceiling fell down.

- Dover, DE, USA

I bought a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer May 16th 2003 with approx 45,000 miles. About a week later we noticed that the shifting seemed to be jerky going from 2-3 gears. Took it back into the person I bought it from and he called our local Ford dealer who he purchased it from 2 days prior for me. They stated there were not bulletins out on the transmission. We had the transmission fluid checked and it appeared to be ok. A couple of months went by and then a soft shudder started when going to the next gears. I took it to a local transmission place and the tech stated that he had seen 2 of these incidents in the last 6 months. Recommended I get rid of the vehicle as there was a flaw in the transmission design. In November of 2003 we had the transmission serviced (approx $250). Cleared up the problem for a couple of months but reappeared and then went into a hard shift going to each gear. Feb 2004 took it back to local Ford dealer and they will charge me $2700 to replace my transmission with a rebuilt Ford transmission. The real kicker is I bought this vehicle because my 2001 Ford Windstar's transmission went out and there was a service bulletin out on it too. I guess shame on me for continuing to buy Ford.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

2002 Mercury Mountaineer: We have experienced the vehicle rapidly downshifting from 4th gear to 2nd gear without warning. This has happened when driving in longer distance in city traffic. We are afraid of being rear ended. The vehicle also does not run properly when cold. When outside temperatures are in the 20?S (20 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale) it will only go between 10-15 mph until warm. Wheels feel like they are spinning. The vehicle also makes a howling noise (sounds computer generated) at between 55-70 mph. The transmission was replaced at 11,000 miles. It did not solve the problems. Ford has offered a cash settlement of $6200. We do have the extended warranty. Can these problems be fixed? the first issue is the one of greatest concern.

- Laingsburg, MI, USA

The vehicle quickly shifts whenever you accelerate, it's rather jerky and startling. It seems as though the gears are changing incorrectly thus causing a jerky motion. I have notified the dealer and was told that this was a normal reaction, which I disagree. I most recently contacted the Mercury home office, who suggested that I take it to the dealer for a diagnostics check. I saw similar complaints on this issue and thought that I should report my problem.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

The vehicle transmission slipped, jumped and made clunking noises. The steering column locked up. The rear hatch fell onto the consumers head which resulted in retinal detachment and balance trouble. PE04045.pco

- Dover, DE, USA

The first time the transmission problem happened while I was driving on I-275 going to jury duty. It was rush hour, stop & go traffic. I was excellerating and at approximately 60 miles per hour, the truck like "slammed" into gear. It started me & I thought I had been rear-ended. I contacted the dealer on my cell phone and asked to bring it in. I was told since I was in jury duty, I would have to wait until my service ended and then bring it in. I asked if the transmission or drivetrain could further damage & was told no. I was afraid to keep driving it but did not have a choice at the time. I kept track of the times the truck "slammed" into gear which up until the time I took the vehicle in, was when the vehicle was warm & it was on excellerations at different speeds & times. The service people said it did not do it while they test drove it but Ford's knew there was a problem with it & the repair was to reprogram the computer chip & that would fix the problem it did not. I had to re-schedule an appointment for another attempt to fix it. This time the dealer placed a recording device on the truck & were able to capture it acting up. The service person told me I needed a new transmission & that's what he'd like to do to repair it but I'd have to wait until Ford's retrieved the data. I was concerned about driving the vehicle and it only had 800 miles on it! while waiting for a determination, I had driven the vehicle about 6 or 7 miles and an awful odor filled the cab. It smelled like something burning under the vehicle. I pulled over & checked under the truck for a fire. I did not see anything that looked like it was burning. I called the dealer & complained again about it slamming into gear & now the awful smell. I wondered if the transmission was burning. I was told it was another complaint others made as well. It was coming from the exhaust (valve?) for the 3rd try, these 2 issues & others are now being repaired.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

Ford has bought back car - hopefully, tomorrow will be the transition day. For the transmission, car had been in 3X - transmission kicked at various speeds. Starting in 12/01, 4X (including once in the dealership), the car would not start. Feel that this is a major problem w/ car. Receivng new car, but I thought this info. Should be part of NHTSA file.

- Convent Station, NJ, USA

A violent jerk is present wheh shifting out of park. A noise can be heard on an intermittent basis before jerk occurs. Dealer has been contacted.

- Delthi, LA, USA

When brakes are applied and making a sudden stop vehicle idles in neutral. Then, jumps into drive. When gas pedal is depressed vehicle will not respond. Dealer has been contacted.

- Bacliff, TX, USA