2002 Mercury Mountaineer: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Nov 21, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 150,351 miles · WI

When going 25-30 MPH vehicle will not shift.it actually kicked the vehicle back. Od light started to flash then service engine soon light came on.been doing this since. Went to go get mountaineer read and of coarse..the transmission..something needs to be done otherwise this might eventually lead to a lawsuit after reading all of the complaints on the exact same thing.

Filed Feb 7, 2015 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · ND

While driving the "od" light started flashing and the vehicle would not shift from 2nd to third gear. It would just rev up. If you let off the gas it would usually shift into 3rd gear. I was going to try to check the fluid but couldn't find the dipstick. I checked the manual and found out there is none. When I checked online for help I found all the other complaints that were exactly like mine. It is very disappointing that ford will not issue a recall on this obviously poorly designed transmission. This is a very expensive part for an owner to replace and is a safety issue as you could lose the ability to accelerate at a critical moment. With as many complaints as I am seeing online there should definitely be a recall. I hope it doesn't take somebody getting hurt or killed for action to be taken.

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 Nov 30, 2012 · Transmission · 153,000 miles · WI

The shift lever snapped off, in reverse, while attempting to put into park. The lever broke in such a way that the vehicle was stuck in gear with no means to put in park. The base of the lever that operates the gear change mechanism appears to be made of porous metal. I was forced to leave my vehicle in reverse, with the keys stuck in the ignition, until I was able to arrange a tow. Thankfully I was not in traffic, on a hill when this happened. I was able to place some items behind the wheels to prevent rolling (emergency brake does not work well). This appears to be a common problem as there are numerous documented complaints (enough that a parts manufacturer has come up with a more durable replacement part).

Filed Jan 9, 2012 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · FL

Transmission will not shift into second gear and from what I am told is that for my year and model it is a mass problem not just a isolated incident my check transmission light came on the display my over drive light was flashing rapidly and only drives at 20mph now.

Filed Aug 23, 2011 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · IL

Transmission would not shift into third gear. 70000 miles no towing just street driving. Had to have the transmission rebuilt. Seems to be common issue for ford on 2002 mercury mountaineers and ford explorers.

Filed May 15, 2011 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · WA

Drove to grocery store and attempted to place car in park and unable to get it into park. It will go in every other gear but will not go into park. Already had to replace gear shift after the gear shift arm broke off in my hand while trying to get it out of park a few months ago. Now looking at more money on this piece of junk car. Now must leave car in gear and leave keys in the car. This is just an accident waiting to happen with young children around.

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the gears failed and would not shift from the park position intermittently. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact believed the column shift to be the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/26/118lj updated 02/11/11

Filed Oct 22, 2010 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · WA

2002 mercury mountaineer - drove my daughter to school and parked the car. Came back a few minutes later to go home. Started the car and found that the SUV was stuck in park. Tried to push break and pull back gear shift to place car in drive and the gear shift broke in hand. Currently at shop. Told car will need entire new steering column. Also SUV has been having problems shifting. Major delay when placed into gear until it actually goes in gear. There is usually a pause and then car will jerk into place.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Steering · TX

Gear stuck in park. Upon release gear shift broke from steering column. $2000 in repair/damage. Unable to find used part as it is sells quickly due to this being a common problem.

Filed Jul 24, 2009 · Seat belts, Transmission · 79,421 miles · IL

My transmission failed while I was driving on the freeway with my child in the car. This cause my car to "buck" and come to almost complete stop. Thankfully I was in the right lane and able to get off onto the shoulder. My car then would only go into 1st and 2nd gear. It would not shift to 3rd. I took it to a service center (actually 3 of them) who told me I need a new transmission. This is an extremely dangerous situation occurring with these cars. There were not tell tail signs. It was not slipping or rattling previous to this. In searching the internet on google I find there are thousands of people who are have experienced this same problem with mercury or ford 2000-2003 vehicles. Why isn't there a recall on this part. This is unacceptable. Eventually someone is going to get hurt. This repair is going to cost me approx. $3000. In addition to this one of my seat belts stopped working. When buckled it comes undone when I am driving. This is a rear passenger seat belt where my child sits. He can not refasten it by himself. I no longer seat him in that particular seat. But how long before the other stop working as well. For some reason your website will not take this number. I just called ford and they verified the #.

Filed Oct 21, 2008 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · MO

I bought this mountaineer in early 2007 with 62,000 miles on it. From the start it shifted very rough. It has progressively worsened until this week when my wife was driving it would not shift out of second gear at all and was nearly broadsided with four children in the vehicle because she could not move. Took it to a repair shop and was informed that I needed to have the transmission fixed. From other comments I have read this seems to be a fairly common problem with this vehicle. Also had to have the rear differential replaced at around 75,000 miles which seems fairly ridiculous, and a bearing has gone out twice on the same wheel. This vehicle doesn't seem to be built to last.