Seat complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving on a long trip, without warning, the memory seats change seat setting and went back fully as if I shut the vehicle off, this happened several times while I was driving without my assistance. I finally realized that when I touched the keys in the ignition, the seat went back to its original setting. When this occurred I was unable to reach brake and accelerator pedals which could have caused a fatal accident to occur. If this happened at a time that I needed to apply the brakes, I would not be able to and there would have been no way for me to stop. I took my vehicle to an authorized dealer who replaced the ignition. On 6/6/2012 the same thing happened again (mileage 60774), this time I struck the car in front of me, it was a good thing it happened while I was in traffic, and neither vehicle sustained damage. …
Defective ignition. When driving, if you bump the key (or attached keychain), all interior lights will come on, and the drivers seat will retract all the way back into the "easy entry/exit" position, making it impossible for a shorter person to reach the brake or gas pedal. Sometimes during this event, the car will stall. This is very dangerous, and the internet is full of people having this identical issue. Why hasn't this been recalled yet?!? People are paying for a new ignition tumbler, but before long it starts happening to the replacement tumbler as well. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Mountaineer/2008/accessories-interior/seats.shtml
It happens every time I drive this vehicle. The ignition is lose, so the key jiggles and if their is too much bumping or shaking the key slightly moves and the seat and interior lights come on now I've tried Combat the issue with keeping the lights off on the interior and thought maybe I could turn off the seat function still haven't figured that out yet
The drivers seat, will, without warning, while driving on the interstate, automatically start moving backwards to it's default position. Sometimes the interior light will come on simultaneously. In a panic, so far, I have been able to stop the backward movement by grabbing the seat position button and forcing it to move back up to the preset position where I have been able to get my feet back on the pedals. This has occurred multiple times while driving full speed on interstates, on side streets and frontage roads and everytime without warning. One time, while sitting at a stop sign, I could not catch it quickly enough and it moved so far back that my feet could not reach any of the pedals! Luckily that time I was sitting still. This has been happening for three years.
The driver seat motor messed up causing the to be stationary. The seat wont move forward and backward.the air conditioning on the driver side doesn't blow cold , the dash and radio lights brighten and dim sporadically and the third row seats don't work, the gear stripped out. Also, the bushings on the feont and rear have had to be replaced.
Mountaineer premier AWD with just over 150,000 miles. Went to raise rear (third row) electrical seat on driver/left side. Makes a slight clicking sound and will raise up about 1 inch, then just stops going up with sounds still heard. Further investigation shows a motor in the center along a gear shaft which must raise the seat. The motor is whirring like it is functioning but the shaft doesn't move. There is no way to manually fully raise the seat.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While the contact's vehicle was approaching a red light, another vehicle crashed into its rear at a moderate rate of speed. The seat back and the headrest fractured without warning. The contact sustained extensive damages to the neck and back, which required medical treatment. The contact indicated that the seat and headrest were not structurally sound. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to a repair shop. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
When using the recline seat handle, the seat would lurch forward, this caused a minor head injury. While the consumer was lowering the middle back second row seat she bent over the seat to gain access to the release lever. This action positioned the right side of the consumer's face level with the shoulder harness assembly. When the lever was released the seat sprung forward with enough force to crush the consumer's right eye. The consumer no longer has vision in her right eye.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.
NHTSA investigations
Front seat back recliner attachment
By letter dated August 4, 2003, Ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 Ford explorer / Mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 Ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 Ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mountaineer years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (54), 2007 (26), 1998 (9), 2000 (7) and 2006 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mountaineer seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 10V-161 (recliner, Apr 20, 2010); 03V-281 (recliner, Aug 5, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mountaineer seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (18 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (8).
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.