Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 13 | −88% | 1 | Brake | Good |
| 2009 | 6 | −93% | — | Steering | Good |
| 2008 | 96 | −16% | 1 | Seat | Average |
| 2007 | 81 | −39% | — | Seat | Average |
| 2006 | 117 | typical | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 2005 | 82 | −42% | — | Body | Good |
| 2004 | 210 | 1.6× | — | Body | Caution |
| 2003 | 152 | 1.2× | — | Body | Average |
| 2002 | 372 | 3.3× | 2 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2001 | 22 | −79% | 3 | Suspension | Good |
| 2000 | 123 | typical | 6 | Acceleration | Average |
| 1999 | 151 | 1.5× | 7 | Wheel & Tire | Caution |
| 1998 | 236 | 2.3× | 5 | Wheel & Tire | Avoid |
| 1997 | 328 | 3.1× | 6 | Wheel & Tire | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Mountaineer year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mercury Mountaineer problems
Latest Mercury Mountaineer recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and Mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 through February 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 30, 2010. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission May not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor May have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 22, 2005.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mercury Mountaineer should you avoid?
2002, 1997, 1998, 2004 and 1999 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Mountaineer years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2002.
What is the best year for the Mercury Mountaineer?
2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other Mountaineer years at the same age, followed by 2010 and 2001. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mercury Mountaineer problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (385), wheels & tires (349) and body & structure (283). Transmission complaints peak in the 2002 model year.
How many recalls has the Mercury Mountaineer had?
19 recalls across 1997–2010. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Mercury Mountaineer recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.