2002 Mercury Mountaineer steering problems

Filed Dec 27, 2023 · Steering · AZ

Aftermarket rack and pinion system re-manufactured by Detroit Axel began leaking fluid and caused a loss of power steering within 3 months of purchase. A second unit was installed and after about a year had the exact same failure as the first unit. Also resulting in the loss of power steering. It is my contention that Detroit Axel is not capable of re-manufacturing to a satisfactory safety standard. I believe they should be investigated and perhaps subject to a product recall. I pray nobody has yet been killed by their ineptitude!

Filed Sep 25, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 18,000 miles · MD

I went to take my vehicle for emissions test and oil change and when I went to move the gear shift from park to drive, it just dangled in the air. I found this totally unbelievable!!!!!, needless to say, my key was stuck in the ignition due to it being stuck in park. I had to have it towed and steering column replaced. Then yesterday while having the brakes fixed and trying to have it test driven, the key was stuck in the ignition again and not able to move to the engine start position. This is ridiculous, it needs to be something done about this situation since this is at some point, cause an injury. Fortunately, both times my vehicle was parked. But what if someone else isn't? Please help us out. These are nice vehicles and this is giving them a bad rep. Thank you.

Filed Jul 13, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · 84,880 miles · PA

Vehicle was parked. After starting the vehicle, with foot on brake pedal and parking brake released, I attempted to shift from park into drive and the gearshift broke off in my hand. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership and I am awaiting the estimate for repair costs. This is my second ford SUV to do this after 80k miles. The repair have been going for around $1300 or more.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Steering · 120,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the steering column gear shifter became fractured while attempting to switch the transmission from park to reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic were it was diagnosed and repaired. The contacted indicated that the entire steering column was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle recently experienced the same defect but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Steering · 109,000 miles · CA

I went to go pick up my son from school, when I went to put it on drive the shifting handle broke off. I didnt even do it hard. I had to get my car towed to my house and had to pay to get it fixed. I looked it up and theres alot more people that have complaints about this and that it should go to recall its just not safe, what if were driving and changing gears on the road and someone gets hurt even death.

Filed Feb 5, 2012 · Steering, Transmission · 110,585 miles · IL

While attempting to put the vehicle in park, the gear shifter snapped in half. It is currently attached by just a wire. The vehicle is currently stuck in reverse, and the key is stuck in the ignition. It snapped off from the housing unit, part of the bolt is left in the gear shifter and the rest is inside the steering column. The battery had to be disconnected, since unable to take the key out.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Steering, Transmission · PA

I just finished getting gas. I turned on the ignition and put the car in reverse and the gear shift snapped off in my hand. It is just dangling. I had to put the emergency brake on and turn the car off immediately so that it would roll back and crash into someone else car or just a pedestrian. I paid to have the car towed to my home for $59. Upon going home, I called several ford dealerships who clearly were familiar with the problem because I was given a quote for the part and labor immediately after I told them about the issue. I took it one step further and went online to check for recalls. There weren't any recalls however, I have read several forums online and this seems to be an ongoing issue with the 2002 mercury mountaineers and 2002 ford explorers. This is ridiculous and I am outraged and I feel ford needs to take ownership regarding this issue.

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Steering · 166,000 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury moutaineer. The contact stated that the gear shift handle broke off when she attempted to shift into drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there were no related recalls. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 166,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2010 · Steering · HI

My husband has a 2002 mercury mountaineer & we were dropping his niece off at home, pulled into the driveway, put the car in park & she got out. When he tried to put the car into reverse, we heard a snap, & the gear shifter was hanging down. He pulled the rubber covering off & found that a metal piece right inside the gears shift assembly completely broke off. We had no way of putting the car in gear so we had to call a tow truck to tow us home & the car has been sitting for the past 3 days. We have had to rent a car while we are trying to get it repaired & just found out today that ford wants us to buy a whole new steering column assembly for $1,300! So on top of the rental car fee we are paying, we need to find another $1,300 to fix his car. I have been looking online to see if anyone else has had the same problem, & the forums I've come across have all had the exact same problem, & the pictures are exactly what happened to our car also! I think this is a defect for the ford/mercury vehicles that need to be inspected. Seems the metal used in that particular part is either too weak or maybe has been compromised in some way. I don't know!

Filed Jun 2, 2010 · Steering, Transmission · 132,000 miles · OK

I had driven my 2002 mountaineer to work, I gently pulled back on the gear shift, to put it into park, and it broke off in my hand. I had to leave it in drive and also had to leave my keys in the car. I didn't really worry about it being stolen because it won't go anywhere. I feel that ford should have put a recall on this model of mountaineer, do to so many problems. Transmissions, auto windows, gear shifts, wheel welds, and now a fire may start in the car even if it's not running. Really, I guess we will have to wait till one of them blows up, killing someone, before ford will listen.