Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mercury Mountaineer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2000 Mountaineer had 17,000 when purchased. I had noticed the dealer had just put new 235/75r15 Goodyear wrangler r/ts on it. I was not suspicious but should have been. Ever since purchased I have had a vibration in the front end and my front tires have worn on the inside al the way down to a unsafe tread depth within 10,000 miles. The dealer alligned the front and checked for front end problems two days after purchase. At that time they found it was out but claimed they had just alligned it three days before also. At around 30,000 miles I had to replace the front tires because they were unsafe. I took them to the dealer and the GM told me that it was normal tire wear. I know quite a bit about cars but he did not know that. At that time they checked the front end allignment again and check for problems again and found nothing. …
I have a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer that I have had for 2yrs. Now. I keep up the maintenance on this car. I keep the oil changed tires rotated, brakes fixed, pass the emission test every year since purchasing it. I've had this squealing high pitch grinding noise comin from the rear tires.it is very loud. I have new brakes all the way around,shoes,rotors,pads,in it still makes this very loud noise.it has gotten louder since I have all new brakes. I don't know what this noise is, but I know its embarrassing to drive,cause the noise is so loud.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle has Goodyear wrangler rts tires, size p/235/75/r15. The contact noticed that the front passenger side tire would spontaneously lose tire pressure. He took the tires to a tire repair shop and a technician stated that the inner sidewall was separating on all four tires. He concluded that the tires needed to be replaced. All of the tires were replaced and the contact still has possession of the old ones. The vehicle failure mileage was 30,000. The tire failure mileage was 13,140.
The problems have existed since I bought the truck. At 55/60 miles the front end starts bumping up and down to the point it's unsafe. The dealer has changed the tires and the driftshaft assembly, but the problems persists. Both the dealer and the Ford rep. Say this is a normal part of driving this vehicle, but when the truck is vibrating and bumping on the highway I do not believe it's normal. Other mountaineener drivers tell me this is not normal. Just this past week the Goodyear dealer identified a bad tire and replaced it. Goodyears says I also have two bent rims and the Lincoln dealer says I don't. They did replace the two front rims because Goodyear identified the fact that all four rims were/are bent. I am continuing to work with the dealer but feel this problem should be documented and would like to know if there is data concerning this problem. The Ford reg. …
These tires are brand new on a brand new 2000 Mountaineer. They did not fail in any manner (I had to put numbers in the "failure" field or the form would not accept the report)there were no failures whatsoever. I am only concerned that they May be recalled due to all the fatals involving these tires(dot # on inside of tires is 8xhl) and all the publicity. The dealer advises these tires are not part of the recall but I would just like confirmation from NHTSA that these particular tires are safe to drive at all speeds. I am employed by the nj division of highway traffic safety and we recieve our funds directly from NHTSA region 2 in white plains, ny. …
Although I do not have the recalled Firestone tires on my vehicle, I do not feel safe driving it with non-recalled Firestone tires. I have tried talking to Ford, my selling dealer and Firestone dealers to receive credit for my tires towards the purchase of 5 Goodyear replacements. I feel that Ford made the decision to put Firestone tires on my vehicle at the factory and should be required to provide credit towards the purchase of a safer tire. This whole recall is a mess and is confusing, I believe, on purpose. The only thing I hear is how consumers were mis-using the tires. How can you misuse a tire on an SUV? The automakers show them driving across the desert, up mountains and through rivers.
I had a blow out with the Firestone recalled tires. The rim cracked. The dealership said that I must of hit something to crack the rim and cause the flat because ther was nothing wrong with the tire. I did not! I said the the rims May be defective or it was caused by the unsafe tires. They dismissed it right away. I called Ford motor company and got tangled up in alot of red tape. I'm writing so these possible rim defects May be investigated, so other people that drive these SUV's don't run the risk of getting injured if they are defective. (tiresize: 15 inch)( dot number: tire size: 15 inch )
It is disappointing that the recall of tires is not broadened to encompass all manufacturer codes versus just the decatur plant. Without definitive reports that only the decatur plant code is 100% responsible for the shredding tires, no one with these tires can feel safe on the road. I would like a report that clearly defines only the decatur code is shredding and none other. (tiresize: 275r15)( dot number: tire size: 275r15 )
Whil driving approximately 65 MPH on wet pavement, the left rear tire blew out and when I was able to pull to the side of the road, the tire was shredded off of the rim. This matches the description of the problem involved in the current Firestone recall. The vehicle is owned by Ford motor company. I am a Ford motor company employee who leases the vehicle from the company.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Firestone recalled wilderness at from decatur, my tires were not recalled. Because of tire losing air pressure and becoming flat, I did not feel safe and purchased 5 new tires; Firestone and Ford refuses to give me any satisfaction in this matter, as neither of them will reimburse my $571.00 to replace Firestone tires!!!( dot number: ?? Tire size: p235/75/15 )
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Mountaineer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, 19% of the model year's 123 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Mountaineer wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2000 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 2000 Mercury Mountaineer wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.