2004 MERCURY MARAUDER Complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MARAUDER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AXLE OIL ON HIS WHEELS. HE REMOVED THE WHEEL AND BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY REPAIR HUNDREDS OF THESE FAILURES PER YEAR. THE PARTS WERE PURCHASED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN HIS CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING DURING GOOD WEATHER AND NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS SPORADIC FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER CHECKED THE PEDAL SPACING AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM MAY BE THAT THE CONTACT WAS PRESSING THE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. THE BRAKES ARE 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK. *AK

GAS PEDAL IS TOO SENSITIVE MAKING VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY FROM A STOP. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO GAS PEDAL. I'VE HIT THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO ACCOMMODATE SHORTER AND TALLER DRIVERS. THE PEDALS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD. THE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO UNKNOWINGLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE OR VISA VERSA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE PEDALS ARE ADJUSTED. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN OCTOBER, 2004. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE UPON A RAMP IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE OIL. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ALSO INADVERTENTLY DEPRESSED, CAUSING THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD ONTO THE RAMP. THAT INCIDENT RESULTED IN $250 WORTH OF DAMAGE. UPDATED 3/28/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO BACKED INTO HIS GARAGE DOOR TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *NM

MANY LOUD PINGS FROM EXHAUST AFTER THE EXHAUST GETS HOT, AND IT STARTS TO COOL DOWN PROBABLY FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DEALER SAYS IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS MODEL. *NM

DT: WHILE GOING 10-20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDEN LY ACCELERATED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, AND THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THERE WERE BLACK TIRE MARKS FROM THE REAR WHEELS FROM WHERE THE CAR ACCELERATED. THEN. THE VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER PARKED FAMILY VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS KNOCKED ABOUT 30 FEET. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUME RHAS PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT., BUT NO POLICE REPORT. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CONSUMER RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.*AK

WHILE IN STOP AN GO TRAFFIC HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK