Model year record

1997 Mercury Mountaineer recalls & problems

The 1997 Mercury Mountaineer has 6 safety recalls and 328 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (162 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints328filed by owners

Crashes · fires41 · 10reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlOct 13, 2009

Vehicle speed control

Recall 09V3990004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Fix: 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 AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Vehicle speed controlDec 27, 2000

Vehicle speed control

Recall 00V422000220,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES AND STILL RETAIN THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY (PART NUMBERS 97JF-9E926AB OR 97JF-9E926-AC). SOME OF THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES INSTALLED ALLOWED A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE AND BORE TO BE BUILT TOO NARROW. THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE ALLOWED THE ENGINE DEPOSITS NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO CONTACT OR BRIDGE THE GAP. IF THE ENGINE DEPOSITS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE AND THEN HARDENED, ON THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THE OPERATOR WOULD NEED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BREAK THE BRIDGE.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

SuspensionNov 28, 2000

Suspension

Recall 00V402000810,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Risk: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

Fuel system, gasolineMar 19, 1998

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V060000320,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. THE ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINE BRAID COULD ACT AS A GROUND POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WARNING LABEL ON THE FUEL LINE BRACKET ADVISING OWNERS NOT TO USE IT FOR A JUMP START GROUND. ALSO A REVISED BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT JUMP START GROUND LOCATION.

StructureAug 19, 1997

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut

Recall 97V1370002,200 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Risk: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.

Vehicle speed controlApr 30, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V07400023,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Risk: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Mountaineer 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Mountaineer 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	162	6	1	12	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	59	18	1	4	109,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	40	11	1	3	—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	18	1	5	1	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	16	1	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	16	0	2	0	—
Seat beltsFront; Front › Buckle assembly	12	0	0	0	150,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Glass, side/rear	11	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	10	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments	9	1	1	0	59,800 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	8	2	0	1	100,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	7	7	0	3	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 385,000.
Mar 6, 2021 · 385,000 miles
Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. 185,000 MILES.
Feb 23, 2020 · 185,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Nov 29, 2019 · 110,000 miles
Seat belts
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REFUSES TO LATCH AND, IF IT DOES LATCH, COMES UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. ON INSPECTION, THE 'GUTS' OF THE MECHANISM ARE GONE.
Apr 15, 2018 · 198,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I WAS AT A GAS STATION MAKING A PURCHASE WITH MY DISABLED MOTHER. WE LEFT THE STORE, AND GOT INTO MY TRUCK. I STARTED MY TRUCK AND PROCEED TO DIVE TOWARDS THE EXIT OF THE GAS STATION WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE BURNING RUBBER. I SAID TO MY MOTHER THAT SOMETHING SMELLED FUNNY AND THEN LOOKED AND SAW A THIN STEAM OF SMOKE COMING UP FROM IN BETWEEN MY LEGS. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND JUMPERS OUT LEAVING MY OM IN THE CAR. I THEN SAW A FIRE INSIDE OF THE METAL TRACK IN WHICH MY SEAT MOVES MECHANICALLY UNDERNEATH MY SEAT, WHERE THE WIRES ARE. I RAN INTO THE GAS STATION PANICKED AND ASKED THE ATTENDANT FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO WHICH HE REPLIED " NO, I DON'T KNOW I DON'T HAVE ONE" AND DID NOTHING.…
May 27, 2017 · 3 miles
Electrical system
WHEN I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN TURN IT OFF I CAN'T SEEM TO PUSH MY GAS PEDAL WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL SOMETHING BREAKS OR POPS AND THEN IT ALLOWS ME TO PUSH THE PEDAL. I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SMOKE COMING FROM ON TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING, NOW I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO WHERE MY HORN WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE. I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT FRAME OF THE SUV. THE FRAME SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE SWAY BAR THAT IS CAUSING THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN…
Jan 1, 2014
Seat belts
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH.
Oct 30, 2015 · 137,400 miles
Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Nov 7, 2014 · 170,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 00V072000
There is no summary currently available
PE99049 · opened Jul 28, 1999 · closed Apr 24, 2000
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONSClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE99045 · opened Jul 6, 1999 · closed Oct 29, 1999
FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTINGClosedLed to recall 98V060000
There is no summary currently available
RQ98020 · opened Nov 3, 1998 · closed Nov 15, 2000