Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (23.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 89 · 23.9% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Power Train | 38 · 10.2% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments | 23 · 6.2% | Investigation closed | PE04045 → recall 04V442000 |
| Steering | 15 · 4% | Investigation closed | EA09013 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 · 4% | Investigation closed | DP05005 |
| Suspension:rear | 15 · 4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 372 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 07E104000 · 2007 · reported 12/11/2007
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 01I010000 · 2001 · reported 04/10/2001
ROTATION OF THE BRACKETS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS OR, IN SOME CASES, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO BREAK. EITHER CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE GLASS IS BEING CLOSED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 01V171000 · 2001 · reported 05/24/2001
OVER TIME, THE TIRE COULD FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“DT: ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. RIGHT AWAY OWNER COMPLAINED OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10128756 — filed 07/14/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RELACED. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OPERATIONALY. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT O/D…”NHTSA complaint 10126749 — filed 06/27/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ERRATICALLY ON UP-SHIFT, 2-3 / 3-4 AND 4-5. 5/16/05 MILEAGE 55K. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER, ISSUE EXPLAINED AND FIXED ON…”NHTSA complaint 10121653 — filed 05/20/2005 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 89 of 372 NHTSA complaints (23.9%), followed by power train (38), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments (23), steering (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
372 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 38 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E104000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
