Ford MOUNTAINEER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 39 complaints (7.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 7; 2001: 1; 2003: 7; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 9; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 876944 · 2000-12-22 (December 22, 2000)
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD AND RESISTS APPLICATION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020298 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020299 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION/MAIN COMPUTER, NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL IS INOPERATIVE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185362 · 2007-03-16 (March 16, 2007)
I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER REBUILT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IT COST ME $1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO HAVE IT REBUILT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2003 I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS.I KEEP GETTING THE SAME OLD SOUND AND DANCE FROM THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC WHO REBUILD MY TRANSMISSION TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISLOTED INCIDENT. HE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEN WITH FORD CARS AND TRUCK…
Owner-reported narrative. 851,655 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558146 · 2014-01-02 (January 2, 2014)
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY GOT IN NEXT MORNING CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY MELTED.FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS THEY SAID MY MODEL WAS NOT MANUFACTURED AT THIS PARTICULAR PLANT. ONE SIDE MELTED 2 MONTHS LATER OTHER SIDE MELTED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS HAS AFFECTED AIR BAG. I AM 84 YRS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR WORRIED FIRE COULD START WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889958 · 2001-06-07 (June 7, 2001)
MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING IN ONE FOOT OF WATER AT 5 MPH. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152447 · 2006-03-10 (March 10, 2006)
MY 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS HAVING A SLOW START FOR THE PAST MONTH. A FEW TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, SOUNDING AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT WAS HAPPENING DURING THE COLD WEATHER SO WE ATTRIBUTED THESE SYMPTOMS TO THE COLD. WE HAD BATTERY CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. ON MARCH 9,2006 WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT FIRE. THANKS TO SOME FAST RESPONDING NEIGHBORS THERE WAS NO FIRE DAMAGE TO MY HOUSE. THE FIRE WAS MAINLY NEAR THE SOLENOID OR THE STARTER AND EVERYTHING IS COMPLETELY FIRE DAMAGED. I READ THAT THERE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10152447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193864 · 2007-06-20 (June 20, 2007)
THERE IS A CRACK THAT EXTENDS DOWN THE LIFTGATE ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. IF THIS CRACK IS NOT REPAIRED INEVITABLY THERE WILL BE WATER DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE LIFT DOOR SUCH AS A FAILURE OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND REAR WINDOW WIPER. I WISH TO HAVE THIS FAILURE REPAIRED AT MY FORD AUTHORIZED DEALER AT YOUR COST. ADDITIONALLY, THE TWO REAR WINDOWS WILL NOT LET DOWN. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND HAVE REPLACED ONE THAT WAS BROKEN. IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM ONCE. THE PR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10193864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126732 · 2005-06-27 (June 27, 2005)
THE FEUL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AND I TOOK THE VECHILE TO COUNTRY LINCOLN MERCURY WEST (676 WEST MERRICK ROAD VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 PHONE: [phone removed] FAX: [phone removed] ). THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THERE WAS A SSM ON THE FUEL GAUGE. I THEN NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I CAME OUT OF THE VECHILE. WITHIN A WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I RETURNED THE VICHELE TO THE SAME DEALER ON JUNE 21, 2005 ONLY TO FIND OUT THE GAS TANK WAS NOT SEALING PROPERELY. I AM BEING TOLD FORD DON'T HAVE ANY GAS TANK AVAILABLE UNTIL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126732 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 |
1997: 0; 1998: 1; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 0