2003 Mercury Mountaineer
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 72 on record.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer recalls 1
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
What's a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,927) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,064), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations Closed
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations. By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect. The highest rate for any particular failu…
NHTSA #EA09013 · Steering, Power Train · opened Aug 2009 · closed Feb 2013SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD Closed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES. ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECT…
NHTSA #DP05005 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Sep 2005 · closed Jan 2006An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 120
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 120.
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Pro…
Bulletin TSB 19-2026 · Structure · Feb 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Pro…
Bulletin TSB 19-2026 · Structure, Equipment · Feb 2019FORD: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNAL LUBE FOUND IN THE UNITIZED CARTRIDGE SEAL. OIL SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE AND IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED, AS AN AXLE LUBE LEAK. *PE
Bulletin TSB-08-19-3 · Power Train · May 2009SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE
Bulletin 07212 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2007LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
Bulletin 06216 · Power Train · Jan 2006MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH PCM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0463 AND/OR IC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1201 - FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY OR SLOW TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING. *TT
Bulletin 05213 · Fuel System, Other · Jan 2006LOW TIRE INDICATOR ON - TPMS SYSTEM SENSOR WAKE UP. *TT
Bulletin 0637 · Tires · Jan 2006WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
Bulletin 041601 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005FUEL GAUGE SLOW TO UPDATE AFTER REFUELING. *EH
Bulletin 042115 · Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 2005NOISE FROM REAR WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. *TT
Bulletin 051710 · Suspension · Oct 2005Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MOUNTAINEER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Mercury Mountaineer
The Mercury Mountaineer is a mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was sold by Mercury from 1996 until 2010. The first Mercury SUV, the Mountaineer was a divisional counterpart of the Ford Explorer, marketed above it and between the Lincoln Aviator. Across its three generations, the Mountaineer was marketed exclusively as a 5-door wagon, with no counterpart to the 3-door Explorer Sport or the Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2003 Mercury Mountaineer trims & engines on record
2003 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles on record
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86W63ZJ05481
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86KX3ZJ26217
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W83ZJ50352
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W13ZJ07763
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K93ZJ06626
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU66W33ZJ26230
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W13ZJ48703
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Luxury4M2DU86WX3UJ11095
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W23ZJ41484
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86K73ZJ54167
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86K83UJ19053
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86W13UJ12917
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W33ZJ05383
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K03UJ13404
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K43ZJ49194
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K63UJ16642
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K23ZJ47248
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W23UJ00978
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W53ZJ26526
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K33UJ02097
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K03UJ04258
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Luxury4M2ZU86K43UJ00919
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K63ZJ51295
2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86KX3ZJ54180