Mercury Mountaineer ball joint problems

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Steering · 22,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that when he rocked the steering wheel back and forth it made a popping noise. The contact stated that the rack and pinion caused the failure to occur. The dealer stated that all of the ford and mercury vehicles for that year and model were designed the same way. The driver side tire on the inside also began to exhibit abnormal wear, which the owner stated could also be the rack and pinion or the tie rod. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 22,000.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Suspension · 40,800 miles · MA

2004 mercury mountaineer with 40k miles had driver side upper and lower ball joint failure. This was uncover during a normal state inspection. Replacement of both joints was required to safely drive this car.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Body, Fuel system · 78,898 miles · MS

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!

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Suspension · 121,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury mountaineer. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH on normal road conditions. There was a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The vehicle resumed operation with caution to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The failure was contributed to the front and rear control arm. The front and rear control arms were replaced. The failure mileage was 121,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Suspension, Tires · 34,200 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle has toyo open country at tires, size p22570r15 (na). The tires were purchased brand new in may of 2007 from jensen tire company while driving 15 MPH. At 36,000 miles, the rear passenger tire blew out in june of 2008. The repair shop stated that the tire was worn down to the steel. The tire company from where the tire was purchased is providing reimbursement for the failed tire. The remaining tires were inspected by other shops and each shop recommended that the rest of the tires be replaced. Toyo stated that the tires needed an alignment. The contact stated that an alignment had just been performed; however, the manufacturer advised her to have another one. While the vehicle was at the shop, the mechanic stated that the ball joints were defective due to the damage caused by the tires and needed to be replaced. The ball joints have not been replaced and the manufacturer is refusing responsibility for the repairs. The failure mileage was 34,200 and current mileage was 123,402.

Filed Oct 2, 2008 · Body, Engine · 74,494 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing was replaced 3 times within 16 months. On october 1, 2008, while driving out of the driveway at an unknown speed, she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the rear driver's side wheel bearing failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was not driven on dirt roads, only in the city. She feels that either the wheel bearing is defective or the ford dealer did not properly correct the previous failures. The ford dealer stated that the vehicle is out of warranty and the wheel bearing is only good for 12,000 miles. The manufacturer took a report and stated that they will forward her information to the dealer. From there, the dealer will determine if the vehicle will be repaired. The failure mileage was 74,494 and current mileage was 104,000. Updated 11/14/08 *cn the driver side visor was hanging down, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends were replaced. The rear hatch window cracked. The vehicle would crank, but it would not start. Updated 11/18/08.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · WI

Left front side of the SUV was squeaking. Just within a week, it became extremely loud and embarrassing to drive. I brought it to the dealership and they said it's the ball joints which is very common for this type of vehicle.

Filed May 11, 2007 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · MT · crash · 10 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercury mountaineer. While driving 35mph and losing control, the vehicle was in a ditch on a dirt road. The tie rod broke and two front tires had to be replaced and the truck is damaged. The contact has paid over $6000.00 in repairs since purchasing the vehicle. The contact had to repair the front differential, lower ball joints, sealing for both shafts, four brake pads, bearings on all four tires, and the rear transfer case was flushed twice. Ford stated that the vehicle can be repaired. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved and request that the dealer purchase the vehicle from her. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2006 · Suspension, Transmission · 88,345 miles · MT

Bought used from a dealer 10-05 with 71328 miles. Checked out by mechanic. No problems w/ drive train, tranny, or suspension, except to change fluids in differentials (rear & front). Did this first week we owned it & water found in rear differential. 1st owner's records came with car. All services were done (no mention of problems). I serviced it every 2-3000 miles. On 4-27-06 the tranny flushed, & the rear differential & transfer case serviced. Mileage was 85857. 2 new tires put on front on 5-25-06 (flat tire). On way home (18 mi. Into 35 mi. Drive), front end started to fail. Couldn't find source of leaking fluid. Drive home. Next morning, tried to return to mechanic with car. Made it about 25 of the 35 miles to town before front end failed. Mechanic showed us the gears from the differential--the "teeth" were sheared completely off 1/3 of it--remaining teeth sheared down by at least 50%. Front differential was replaced, also 4 ball joints, seals for both shafts, brake pads (from differential fluid damage) were replaced. All 4 wheels had bearings repacked. 2 more tires bought. Within 1 week, began hearing noise again from drive train. Car back at mechanic on 6-20-06. The noise now from rear transfer case. It was flushed 2 times (fluid filled with fine metal fragments). The rear differential fluid also changed. Mechanic said 4-6 months until rear end failed. I've now lost the rear end--also have to replace all 4 sets of wheel bearings & replace all axles. Will re-assess front differential after rear is fixed. We've contacted ford, no recalls for our car. They'll not make any repairs or reimburse for faulty equipment. I'm not original owner & warranty has expired. It doesn't qualify for state lemon law (mileage). There's at least 31 problems and 18 complaints on your website that I've had in the 1 year since I bought this car. This is a ford issue. I just want to re-coup my $4000+ in repair costs & trade it off for a non-ford SUV.

Filed Aug 3, 2004 · Steering · 75,000 miles · NJ

The passenger side tie rod of my 1999 mercury mountaineer, 75,000 miles, fell apart (at the ball joint) while driving. I was very lucky to not crash the car (I was on a quite road and going slowly). My car has been well kept and had a full ford service ($800) in february. I went online and noticed that many other drivers had experienced the same problem. I kept the ball joint and found it completely worn out (you could pull it out of the socket). The car had to be towed to a repair shop and the tie bolt was replaced. The repair shop said that I should contact ford as this was a problem with the way the ball joint was manufactured (with no way to apply new llubrication during servicing). This is potentially a very serious issue that it should be investiagated.