My 2003 Mercury Mountaineer has a solid air bag light on. It has a code of 33, when you turn the car on, the light goes on and blinks 3 times then 3 more times. This indicates a code 33. Ford has a technical letter about the issue. The letter states there is a kit for this problem. 1L2Z-78610E22-aaa is the kit for a medium dark parchment kit. This should be a recall item as it is a known defect. Ford wants to charge $281 for the part. Outrageous. I would be forced to pay or not get my state vehicle test passed. Defective part should be covered under safety recall ! see information : 2003 Mercury Mountaineer build date 09/02 VIN===[xxx] below is a copy of a technical service bulletin regarding your concern. You can buy the kits through any Ford dealer, that's about the only place to get them. You'll find the build date on the VIN tag on the driver's door. Ford:2002-2003 Explorer Mercury:2002-2003 Mountaineer issue: Some 2002-2003 4dr Explorer/Mountaineer vehicles may exhibit an air bag warning lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) B2292 and light flashing code (lfc) 33 (driver seat pretensioner fault), or lfc 34 (passenger seat pretensioner fault). This may be caused by intermittent pretensioner connection at either seat belt buckle. Action: Install pretensioner kit for affected side(s) by build date/color. Refer to the following service information for details. Service information obtain correct service kit and refer to instruction sheet included with kit for installation instructions. 2002 model year through 3/3/02 build dates medium dark parchment 1L2Z-78610E22-aaa 2002/2003 model years 3/4/02 through 1/17/03 medium dark parchment 1L2Z-78610E22-baa [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mesa, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 10 to 15 mph, the passenger and driver side air bags deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention, but they couldn't afford to go. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,610.

- Duarte, CA, USA

Faulty airbags: On November 3, 2015 at approximately 0540, the side curtain (both driver side and passenger side) airbags exploded in my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer without cause while I was traveling 55 mph on a major/busy state highway. The explosion of the airbags hit me on my left side causing neck strain and temporary hearing loss to the left ear. I was the only occupant in the vehicle. I was able to safely drive to shoulder of road (I don't remember how I got there), luckily no cars were around me at the time. The explosion also caused the driver side window to fall from its casters and was unable to close window (and the passenger side rear window no longer works). The air in the curtains would not dissipate and I remember not being able to breath well. There was a chemical in the air and do to the curtains, it was difficult to get out of the car. Later in the day I took car to reynolds Ford and was told this was not covered by Ford. I also went to my pcp and was treated with prednisone and ear wash for left ear hearing loss. Later, had drivers window repaired.

- Norman, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 25 to 30 mph, the front driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning. The contact sustained lacerations to the left cheek that required medical attention. The air bag light remained illuminated and flashed a code thirteen. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Tehachapi, CA, USA

The contact own a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact states that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that both frontal side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA