Model year record

2008 Mercury Mountaineer recalls & problems

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer has 2 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seats (54 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints96filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilityDec 11, 2007

Glass, side/rear

Recall 07E1040001,657 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

Power trainSep 26, 2007

Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines

Recall 07V4530001,497 vehicles

Problem: 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. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
Risk: IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.
Fix: 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.

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

2008 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.8%

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

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Mountaineer 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Mountaineer 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Mountaineer 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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	Typical mileage*
SeatsFront assembly › Power adjust	54	1	65,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch	40	2	65,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	9	1	54,409 mi
Engine	6	0	63,188 mi
Exterior lighting	6	0	82,500 mi
Unknown or other	5	0	65,075 mi
Seat belts	4	0	—
Interior lighting	4	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	3	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	3	0	—
StructureBody	3	0	—
SteeringSteering control module	3	0	113,332 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The contact stated that the gear shifter intermittently failed to move to the intended position. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the fuel level was lowered sooner than normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The contact stated that there was a code for an EVAP failure. The vehicle was…
Sep 3, 2023 · 200,000 miles
Steering › Steering control module
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,782.
Jan 1, 2021 · 141,782 miles
Engine
SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2009, ENGINE KILLS ANYTIME, MOSTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL NOT PRESSED. PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS, SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, OR LETTING OFF GAS ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE JUST KILLS. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A JOLT. I HAVE TO PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. RECORDS OF ALL VISITS FOR THE PROBLEM AT DEALERSHIP. NEVER COULD SOLVE PROBLEM, BUT TOO UNSAFE TO DONATE TO MY GRANDSON. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT WAS NEVER FOUND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO. CANNOT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SEALED. I DO HAVE SOME FLUID STAINS ON MY DRIVEWAY. FOR YEARS I'VE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPECIFIED THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT KILLS…
Jan 1, 2011 · 15,000 miles
Seat belts
ON A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY HOOKED IN IT COMES LOSE.
Jun 6, 2020
Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WITH NOT STAY LOCKED IN.
Aug 6, 2020 · 85,625 miles
Seat belts
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILS TO SAY HOOKED INTO THE SEAT BELT CLIP-IN
Aug 6, 2020
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO MARITIME FORD (1305 FRANKLIN ST, MANITOWOC, WI 54220) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *DT*JB
Oct 18, 2017 · 120,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
CAR WHEN IDLE SHUTS OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC LOCKING BREAK AN STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THANK GOD I WAS CLOSE TO EMERGENCY EXIT CAR SHUTOFF NOT ALLOWING TO BRAKE HAD TO PRESS EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
May 9, 2020 · 140,074 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

TIRE VALVE CRACKINGClosed
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES…
PE08060 · opened Oct 14, 2008 · closed Apr 9, 2009