Engine died has repeated only a few times at or above 50mph over span of time

- Trenton, MI, USA

I had picked up my kids from daycare and I put my vehicle in reverse and backed up. While backing up I heard a loud pop and I got out to see but there was nothing visible. So I put the vehicle in drive and as I was going down the street my vehicle axle broke and my truck hit the street in the middle of traffic. I took it to the Ford dealership and they said it was my axle and my differential had broken also, am I am lucky that I didn't have a bad accident with the extend of the damage of the differential. After I fixed that and it cost $2900. That still did not fix the problem and I had to replace the transfer case. Then all three of my Cadillac converters had to be replaced. I have had problem after problem and oh yeah the back rear gate has been cracked like the month after I bought it.

- Greenville, NC, USA

Using cruise control going down a slight grade the engine died. This has happened multiple times in the last few months, so now I know to put the vehicle in netural while still moving and re-start the engine, then pull back down into drive. This isn't easy to do, so be careful not to put in reverse or park while trying to re-start the engine.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

This is not the first time this has happened! we were driving when my husband set the cruise control and it stalled our vehicle! he set it for 45 mph and it just shut the car down! this is not the first time this has happened we set it for 35 mph and it stalled the vehicle we notified the company we got the car from and they told us there was nothing wrong with it when they drove it and set the cruise control! we told them that it happened several times! and I refuse to pay for something now that my car is no longer under warranty when the place I got the SUV from was aware of the issue, I seen that there were a lot of other complaints about this happening, what is Mercury waiting for? someone to get killed!!

- Bushkill, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while traveling 45 mph with the cruise control activated the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the cruise control switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted abut the failure. The failure and current mileage was 138,800. Updated 06/17/14 updated 8/25/2017

- Beacon, NY, USA

Engine stalls when activating cruise control which results in hazardous driving situation due to loss of power steering and brakes. Have to pull over to side of road, put the vehicle in park and restart. Starts every time. Has repeated 3 times. This is a serious flaw in the Ford electrical computer design to result a failure mode that stalls the vehicle engine while under speed.

- Frederick, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact deactivated the cruise control when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure also recurred when driving at slower speeds or when decelerating with the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated there was a recall and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a manufacturer's voluntary recall issued but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 9/21/12 the consumer stated when the failure occurred, there was a total shutdown of the onboard computer, because the power steering and power brakes also failed. Recovery required getting the vehicle stopped on the shoulder and turning off the ignition. Updated 10/04/12

- Burlington, VT, USA

Just purchased a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer today. Driving home, using cruise/speed control at around 30mph and driving on a slight decline, the vehicle shut down. All indicator lights went on, and I had to coast to the side of the road. I put vehicle in park and restarted it without problem. There were no indicator lights (check-engine, etc.) lit up. Immediately went to local Ford dealership and they had no clue, especially since the computer did not have any codes indicating a problem.. I'm canceling the check and returning the vehicle tomorrow.

- Northfield, MN, USA

To Ford Motor Company (fmc) via website: Your inquiry: Has any mechanic every came across a situation similar to my 2004 Mountaineer cruise control problem as follows: Every time I set the cruise control between 27-45mph and descend a hill, the engine shuts down! that's right; no power steering, no power brakes, no engine running! this is definitely a safety/warranty issue to me? the Mercury service manager said that he never heard of such a problem and it's going to cost me at least $70, just for him to figure out what's wrong! from fmc: Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center regarding the cruise control concern on your 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. I sincerely understand the frustration that this experience has brought you. Please be advised that complete vehicle service records are maintained at the servicing dealership only. As dealerships are independently owned and operated, we do not have access to other vehicles' service records; thus, cannot determine if this is considered to be a common occurrence. Moreover, our dealers determine how the diagnostic fee will be applied when assigning technicians to service vehicles. In this instance, the $70 diagnostic fee that was quoted to you and the manner in which it would apply, is a standard practice for this dealership. I invite you to speak with the customer relations manager or the service manager, as he/she would be in the best position to address your diagnostic fee. At this time, I recommend that your vehicle be inspected by a Lincoln-Mercury dealership to determine the cause of any symptoms your vehicle may be experiencing. They have factory-trained technicians, the most current engineering service information, and the specialized equipment required to resolve your vehicle concerns. If there is no coverage under applicable warranties, recalls or extended service plans, repairs and services would be your responsibility. Make an appointment with fmc dealer.

- Wexford, PA, USA

I drove a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer SUV and as I was turning into the apartment complex from a complete stop, the gas pedal clamped down & I couldn't get the brake to work. My SUV was totaled & I ran into a full-sized pick-up truck, which was totaled too. I reported the problem to the police & my insurance company. The insurance company told me not to tell anyone else about it. It was late evening, so no kids were out, but being unable to control my vehicle, which totaled two full-sized trucks is scary!

- Macon, GA, USA

My 2004 Mercury Mountaineer accelerated on it's own as I was pulling into a parking space. The vehicle made a roaring sound. My foot never left the brake pedal and I could not stop it. I jumped the curb, went over a grassy area, over the sidewalk and did not stop until I hit a concrete building at approximately 25-30 miles per hour. It caused significant damage to the building and to the car. Airbag did not deploy. I have had the body damage repaired and my auto insurance has paid over $3,000 for that. My husband took it to our nearest Ford dealer where they ran a diagnostic and it showed an electronic malfunction. They said the throttle body assembly needs replacing. The technician did not give us a print-out and said he couldn't find it when we checked back later. We contacted Ford Motor Company to see if they would pay for the replacement because our insurance would not. They also will not pay for it, but sent us to another Ford dealer to run a diagnostic on the airbags. After explaining my ordeal to the technician, he agreed to also check the throttle body. He said their diagnostic test shows no problems with the airbag or the throttle body! he also stated that the first dealer could have wiped it from the memory of the computer. After my husband spoke with a customer service rep at Ford Motor Company today, she said she would request that the dealer who ran the first diagnostic test send us a copy of the print-out that he couldn't find for us. The car is going back into the shop tomorrow at a local private mechanic (not a Ford dealer technician) and we will take it from there. As of today, nothing has been repaired other than the body damage.

- New Tazewell, TN, USA

While driving 35-45 mph, car suddenly shut down. Check engine light and battery light came on. Loss of power steering, power brakes, acceleration. Maneuvered vehicle to nearby parking lot, waited, and then restarted the vehicle. No problem in restarting vehicle and all warning lights were off. Used cruise control prior to incident. Intermittent problem; unable to re-create for Ford dealer to diagnose. New battery was installed by Ford dealer in winter 2009.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

When using the cruise control the vehicle died: All gauge lights came on (battery, engine, etc.) engine died, no power steering, etc. Had to roll to the side of the road, put vehicle in park or neutral and restart. This problem repeats itself ever time I use the cruise control. And, I see there are other owners of this model that have posted the same complaint. Problem first occurred in January of 2008 however continues today. Fortunately when the engine has died every time I have used the speed control it has not caused an accident.... yet!

- Stanhope, NJ, USA

2004 Mercury Mountaineer stalls when cruise control is used. Oftentimes it seem related to going downhill or lower rpms. This has happened to me on two separate 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. One had a V-6 and the other has a V-8. both were the premiere edition.

- Huntertown, IN, USA

2004 Mercury Mountaineer stalls when cruise control is used. Oftentimes it seem related to going downhill or lower rpms. This has happened to me on two separate 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. One had a V-6 and the other has a V-8. both were the premiere edition.

- Huntertown, IN, USA

Throttle position sensor failed in 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Car abruptly stopped accelerating while traveling and came to a stop. Fortunately I was in a near-empty parking lot when this occurred. It could have been a very dangerous situation had this occurred while I was on the road. After the car came to a stop, I was unable to move it forward for more than about 100 yards. It had to be towed. Dealer determined that loss of acceleration was due to "tp open intermittent." Dealer fixed problem.

- Port Tobacco, MD, USA

Vehicle speed control: While preparing to back up, before shifting, vehicle jumped, and then suddenly accelerated forward, brakes were applied but vehicle wouldn't stop and engine was roaring as if the accelerator was stuck. Vehicle went airborne over an embankment, through a lawn, hit a rock/debris area, tire blew before hitting curve, landed on right rim, was then able to put vehicle in park. Vehicle towed away, dealership currently states nothing is wrong with the vehicle. Help!!

- Waunakee, WI, USA

While driving in 20 mph in congested traffic the vehicle suddenly accelerated and lunged forward. Owner had to steer the vehicle off the road to avoid hitting another vehicle. Owner shifted to park in order to stop vehicle. No injuries or accident occurred.

- Guilford, CT, USA