Purchased the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer in 2007. We only drive the car locally for school and work and within 30 days of purchase, the car would not go into reverse. Was told the transmission was slipping and made the dealership/warranty pay for $1600 repair. Since then the check engine light comes on every 3 months. We get check fuel cap message, replaced that twice (last one from actual Ford dealership) because they told us it wasn't the original from the car. Car leaks water through the rear window/roof seal and now my light stays on when I lock the car and it tells me every time we get in the car that there is a door ajar no matter if we get out and reclose all 4 doors and back door. R&R wheel speed sensor and ball joints had to be replaced 8/29/08 for $555. Just recently had my transmission go out again (12/8/09) and had to have complete rebuild of a Mercury transmission which cost us another $4000. It still slightly vibrates going between 30 and 40 miles per hour. Also the back hatch has cracked completely down through the logo. Our Ford dealer charges $200 just to look at the vehicle!

- Biloxi, MS, USA

I have 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and I have had it since February 2007. I have had numerous problems with it and the last problems was the breaking point. I have three more years to pay for this vehicle and I want something to be done about the problems with this vehcile. Ford should be held responsible for this vehicle and fixing the problems associated with it. I purchased this vehicle from community Ford in new albany, ms in February 2007 with 45,000 miles on it. I couldn't get an extended warranty or any warranty with the vehicle I was told. After a year, I had to replace the front end and it was $500 at george's tire services. I took it in due to this noise coming from the front and I was advised that if I didn't have the work did it would lock up on me while I am driving and cause and accident. I noticed that my structure body:hatchback/tailgate has cracked completely. My seat belt on the driver side in the back don't work. My engine cooling system aircompressor has went out and I have electrical problems where my oil gauge is constantly saying it's low. I have my oil change every 3000 miles. I am hearing this noise in the rear of the vehicle and I don't know what it is and can't afford to get going to Ford to see what it is. I have been smelling this burning coming from the under the hood and I don't know what it is either. My lastest problem is my transmission is going out and I have had this vehicle for two years and I have three more years of payment on this vehicle. My transmission cost me around $3500 and I don't have any warranty on it. This is a lemon I have purchased and I think something should be done about it.

- Artesia, MS, USA

I have a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and it has a crack on the liftgate that starts at the top in the middle, goes around the Mercury emblem and continues down to the bottom of the liftgate. I am worried that the glass will fall out or break one day when I hit a bump or close the tailgate. Or will the glass shatter when I hit a bump or close it?

- Federal Way, WA, USA

I have a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and the liftgate has cracked around the Mercury emblem. I have seen several other Mountaineer with exact same cracking around emblem. This makes me wonder if panel could fail causing glass to fall out. Since this problem has been reported in numerous websites, is there going to be a recall to fix this problem. It is obviously a defect or this problem would not be rampant.

- Dayton, OH, USA

I am having an issue with my hatchback. The emblem has a long and large crack on the left side of the emblem. I have noticed that there are several 2003 Mountaineer with the same issue. I am afraid that the crack will cause the glass to break. I noticed when I bought the vehicle the dealership tried to repair the issue once therefore I felt that I should advise/complain about the failure to see if a recall or a bulletin would be placed on the vehicle to repair the issue with no recourse or recurring issue. I am not sure why this issue is occurring but I would like for this issue to be repaired at not cost to me because again I have found many Mountaineer with the same issue and all have been 2003 so far. Please investigate and assist Ford/Mercury to produce a solution to the issue.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

The failure is for a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The failure is a crack in the lift gate that occurs right alongside the Mercury emblem or logo on the back of the tailgate or lift gate. This crack has been reported numerous times here and in online forums. To me seems like a deficiency or a defect in the material that makes up this panel that is a part of the lift gate glass and the tailgate as a unit'.. I would also like to add that the 2002-2006 Mercury Mountaineer and the Ford Explorer share this same tailgate with the same problem. Mercury and Ford are solely to blame for producing this faulty part of the tailgate or lift gate and should step up and recall them'.. I noticed my failure or crack in June of 2008 with less than 60K miles on it. I am an original owner since 2003. A big concern is safety, someone walking by the SUV and getting cut on the sharp plastic, just looking at the crack is disturbing. Here in southern ca. Fairway Ford wants $425 and cerritos Ford Lincoln Mercury wants $625 to fix the same problem'.. I was made aware of this problem in 2004. We were picking up the SUV after having the rear glass hinges replaced per the recall. At that time the service writer at villa Ford told me, try not to push on the emblem to close the glass, the panel will crack in time'.. (1.) I wonder how many of these panels were replaced under warranty due to the crack? (2.) why Ford or Mercury never disclosed the problem? I did call Mercury, they took the complaint and said they would put it on the NHTSA web site, but they never did''''''

- Placentia, CA, USA