1997 Mercury MOUNTAINEER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
250 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
124,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 73 of 250 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 10.8% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 73 |
| Tires | 59 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 73; Tires: 59; Vehicle Speed Control: 18; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Seat Belts: 7; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Structure:Body:Door: 4
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 219 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 | 138 |
| 2001 | 44 |
| 2002 | 22 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 138; 2001: 44; 2002: 22; 2003: 5; 2004: 8; 2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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 10063725 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
ABS ON BRAKES CUT IN WHEN SHOULD NOT. MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 99,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134358 · 2005-08-26 (August 26, 2005)
DT: 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. IT WAS AT 70 MPH AND IT ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. TO STOP VEHICLE HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF. THEN VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT WOULD STOP. ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES MANY TIMES TO STOP. THERE WAS NO CRASH. HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 94,343 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295389 · 2009-12-11 (December 11, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT STEERING, BECAUSE THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKAGE HAD FRACTURED. SECONDLY HE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SMELL AN ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIRDLY DURING BRAKE APPLICATION THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD ALSO STICK. THIS CONDITION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. LASTLY THE MAIN BAR THAT HELD THE TWO BUMPERS TOGETHER HAD CORRODED. THE FAILURES WERE DESCRIBED IN RECALLS (98V060000, 00V422000, 00V402000). HOWEVER HE WAS ADVISED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10904769 · 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10904769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088203 · 2004-08-19 (August 19, 2004)
I CURRENTLY OWN A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. MY WIFE PURCHASED THIS MOUNTAINEER IN EARLY 1998, AND UP UNTIL NOW WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. *AK RECENTLY, I WAS CHARGING THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. I LEFT FOR WORK AND INSTRUCTED MY WIFE ON DISCONNECTING THE CHARGER BEFORE SHE USED THE CAR. MY WIFE DISCONNECTED THE CHARGER AND CLOSED THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT OUT TO RUN ERRANDS. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN SHE CLOSED THE HOOD, IT DID NOT LATCH COMPLETELY. HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE I WOULD EXPECT THE SECONDARY, SAFETY LATCH TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207736 · 2007-11-02 (November 2, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MYSTIQUE (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMOLDERING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMP SWITCH TERMINAL BURNED AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V103000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 11/29/07
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022336 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097121 · 2004-10-19 (October 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE RPM STARTED RACING AT A HIGH RATE. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402578 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 385,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013704 · 2002-07-10 (July 10, 2002)
IF DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPLASHES WATER ONTO SERPETINE BELT, RESULTING IN TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL/ ALTERNATOR CHARGE, AND AIR CONDITIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013704 at NHTSA ↗