Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mercury Mountaineer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While parking at a right angle on a steep hill overlooking a busy road, the car almost at a standstill, the driver's foot on the brake, the car engine suddenly started screaming, the gas pedal depressed on its own and the car surged forward over a concrete parking curb and mowed down a tall palm tree. My daughter-in-law would have been killed if not for hitting the tree, as she had already taken off her seatbelt and opened her door - we were so close to a standstill. The tree stopped the car from going over a very steep hill at a high rate of speed onto traffic on the road below. The replacement value of the tree is not yet known. I have since discovered via channel 4 tv in uk, and dateline nbc that this is a known problem with this vehicle and people have been killed, as my daughter-in-law and I would have been if not for the palm tree. …
When approaching stop sign, at intersection, vehicle accelerated when brakes were applied, causing a collision with the car in front of mine. The brake pedal was depressed all the way to the floor, and the engine roared as if accelerating. We have had one other similar incident in which the vehicle accelerated while braking. Dealer explained that driver had foot on brake and accelerator at same time. In second incident, I am sure that I had my foot only on the brake. Dealer examined vehicle after each incident and could find nothing wrong.
The truck came to a stop, the owner hit the brakes but the truck kept going, and driver slammed on the brake and hit another car, and went through a stop sign. The engine was racing the entire time with his foot was on the brake.
While driving on freeway placed automobile in cruise control. After a while automobile began to speed up out of control. Consumer could not disengage automobile. Applied brakes until rear brakes caught on fire. No injuries.
Brakes: pulled out of driveway under 5mph pedal went to the floor, vehicle would not stop and hit a car. Had vehicle towed to the shop and they can't find any problems. This is the second time has had this problem.ak
Please be advised, I am a police officer operating this leased vehicle and I feel this is a very dangerous condition. On several occasions, I've indicated at least six times to me in the past month, this vehicle will begin to exccerate any time you deeply depress the brake pedal. This generally happens at a complete stop when you May inadvertently just hold down the brake pedal. It also would become extremely dangerous if you were forced to slam on the brakes, as you would generally panic and try to depress the pedal all the way to the floor. The brake pedal is not overly close to the excelerator pedal, but apparently the normal foot movement from one pedal to another is not far enough to avoid depressing both. …
I needed my brakes (all 4) done, and noticed when I stepped on my emergency brake the SUV would not stop and barely slowed, after getting it back from dealer which I informed of th e brake, I tested the e brake agiain and all though it now grabbed the car would still move forward in drive with no applied preasur to the gas. I took it back and told them the e brake still did not work right , that it would not pass inspection(keeping the SUV from moving at 1100 rpms). This is what was told to me all Mercury mountaineers and Ford explorers had this problem with the emergency brake and it can't be helped, he told me he could bring out a brand new one and it would do the same. I asked what about inspection- it won't pass he said bring it to them for inspection and they would pass it . "not good!" what can be done about this? …
My tires are causing the truck to go thump thump thump all the time. They have cracks around the tread area. The one tire (I was told by expert tire has the steel belt showing. The tires had been rotated 2 months earlier and that tire had been put in the back where I couldn't see it. By sherwood. Both places say that the thumping noice is due to front wheel ailgment needed. Plus that is the reason why they say the one tire is bad. I feel that both these problems are bad ones and I need to tell you all. Thanks pamela s pwhen I brake (not everytime, but a lot) it seems that they do not catch. I put on the brakes and I can fell it draging. It causes the truck to pull but not enought to cause me to lose control. It does however causes the truck to go farther out in the street after the stop light or sign.this has happened about 10 to 15 times.( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235-75r15 )
Brake caliper came loose due to bolts breaking/failing. Info sent to Ford/Mercury 2-22-01 and they said this was incidental and not a concern to them. I informed them that the dealer we had purchased the vehicle from was out of business. The gentleman who I talked to was named wayne. I can email letter and photos of the scored rim and failed bolts that I had mailed to Ford. We had to replace rim and tire due to damage costing us about $600. Service managers and mechanics told us this was frequent for these bolts to break with Ford brake systems. I was just driving to work....I hate to think what could have happened driving on interstate highways or pulling our camper!! I requested Ford to reimburse for parts and work time lost.
The problem I,m reporting has happened twice and I refuse to drive vehicle after the last incident . After coming to a stop , the vehicle moves ahead and as hard as you brake the faster it moves . Has almost caused 2 accident the both times its done it . My fears are the dealership (manufacturer ) will not own up to the severity of the problem . Would like to know my legal rights concerning this problem and also report what I believe is a very dangerous situation .
Brake complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 12% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Mountaineer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.