Model year guide

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 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Mercury Mountaineer at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints152
Combined15–16 mpg
Typical price$1,927

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Mercury Mountaineer recalls 1

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

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 5 Oct 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.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2003 Mercury Mountaineer safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

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

Combined15–16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,325

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?

Low
$850
Typical price
$1,927
High
$3,400

From 67 comparable 2003 Mercury Mountaineer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,625
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,100
Total$22,725
Per mile$0.30

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.

2003 Mercury Mountaineer trims & engines on record

Trims
Premier · Luxury · Convenience
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 239 hp · 4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp

2003 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles on record

2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86W63ZJ05481 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86KX3ZJ26217 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W83ZJ50352 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 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 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86K73ZJ54167 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86K83UJ19053 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86W13UJ12917 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W33ZJ05383 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K03UJ13404 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K43ZJ49194 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K63UJ16642 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86K23ZJ47248 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W23UJ00978 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2DU86W53ZJ26526 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K33UJ02097 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K03UJ04258 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Luxury4M2ZU86K43UJ00919 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Convenience4M2ZU66K63ZJ51295 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier4M2ZU86KX3ZJ54180

Other Mercury Mountaineer model years

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

2003 Mercury Mountaineer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer?

Across all 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, power train, electrical system.

What is the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer get?

The 2003 Mercury Mountaineer has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer worth?

Comparable 2003 Mercury Mountaineer listings run roughly $850–$3,400, typically around $1,927 (from 67 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.