1997 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11402578

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

Mileage

385,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. 185,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11311224

Incident

Feb 23, 2020

Mileage

185,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11286936

Incident

Nov 29, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11100258

Incident

Apr 15, 2018

Mileage

198,000 mi

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. SO I RAN BACK OUTSIDE TO MY TRUCK WHERE MY MOTHER WAS HAVING TROUBLE EXITING MY TRUCK AS SHE HAS ANXIETY AND HEALTH ISSUES. SHE FINALLY GOT OUT AND A TOW TRUCK THAT WAS DRIVING BY, SAW THE SMOKE GETTING HEAVIER AND FLOWING OUT OF MY TRUCK, HE STOPPED AND OUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE FLAMES WERE COMING THROUGH MY SEAT AND I WAS AT A GAS STATION. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAVE PTSD AND THIS HASN'T HELPED MY SLEEP AT ALL. ALSO, WE WERE AT A GAS STATION AND AS YOU KNOW, FIRE IS VERY DANGEROUS AT A GAS STATION. WE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE.

NHTSA ID

10993068

Incident

May 27, 2017

Mileage

3 mi

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 CALLING FORD ABOUT IT AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10904769

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ID

10794584

Incident

Oct 30, 2015

Mileage

137,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10693941

Incident

Nov 7, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi

MAJOR AND RECURRING ISSUE WITH FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, GRINDING, SHAKING, WITH NEAR CRASH DUE TO DIFFICULTY TO HANDLE (THIS WAS ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC). *TR

NHTSA ID

10692300

Incident

Mar 1, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514788

Incident

Nov 12, 2012

Mileage

160,000 mi

I ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT THE TWO PORTIONS OF THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT BELT AND THE LATCHING MECHANISM IN THE FEMALE PORTION WOULD NOT LATCH, THEREBY DEFEATING MY ABILITY TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT QUOTED ME ALMOST $200 TO REPAIR THE BELT, INDICATING THE OEM KIT WAS ALMOST $150. SOMEONE IS PROFITEERING ON DEFECTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10508701

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

Mileage

132,145 mi

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT FASTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448358

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. HE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ON AND THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT SNAP INTO PLACE. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING FOR ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10390198

Incident

Mar 10, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT ACCELERATED. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND BODILY TRAUMA. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10386293

Incident

Jun 21, 2010

MY 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (THAT I PURCHASED FEB 2010) IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE 4.0 SOHC CAMPAIGN # 00V422000 AND ACTION # EA99001. I HAVE TO APPLY EXTRA ACCELERATION TO MAKE THE CAR DRIVE WHEN ENGINE IS "COLD". AFTER IT WARMS UP, OR IF I START THE ENGINE AND ALLOW IT TO WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, I DO NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER V8 COMPLAINTS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10334330

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

149,000 mi

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 DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING THE RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.

NHTSA ID

10295389

Incident

Oct 21, 2009

Mileage

156,000 mi

CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AT TIMES AND SOMETIME DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10287272

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED; HOWEVER, A FIREFIGHTER SPECULATED THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF UPDATED 07/15/09

NHTSA ID

10274109

Incident

Jun 16, 2009

Mileage

125,000 mi

I HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY PARKED 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOT WHEN I REMEMBERED THAT I NEEDED TO RETRIEVE AN ARTICLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND KNELT DOWN NEXT TO IT. AS I REACHED UNDER THE SEAT, THE CAR DOOR HIT ME AND DRAGGED ME ALONG THE GROUND. I THEN REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ONLY MOVING IN REVERSE BUT WAS PICKING UP SPEED, AS IT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I KNEW I COULD NOT STOP THIS HEAVY SUV; I ALSO SAW THAT ITS LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS HEADING RIGHT FOR ME. I WAS THEN A 60-YEAR-OLD FEMALE WHO HAD PLAYED SPORTS AND WAS STILL IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION. I DID A FOOTBALL-STYLE TUCK AND ROLLED AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAINEER TO AVOID GETTING RUN OVER. THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING ONLY AFTER HITTING ANOTHER PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE: THE PICKUP TRUCK THAT BELONGED TO THE OWNER OF THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP. LOCAL POLICE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND NO HUMAN ERROR OR FAULT; NO TICKET WAS ISSUED. ALSO, WHILE I SUFFERED SOME SCRAPES AND BRUISES I DID NOT NEED EMT OR HOSPITAL ATTENTION. I REPORTED THIS FIRST-EVER ACCIDENT TO MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT THE ADJUSTER EXPRESSED NO INTEREST IN FOLLOWING UP ON WHAT I AND THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP OWNER STILL BELIEVE TO BE ITS ROOT CAUSE: A FORD SUV TRANSMISSION DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS FOR SLIPPAGE OUT OF PARK POSITION UNDER INEXPLICABLE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PAVEMENT INCLINE AND/OR MOTOR VIBRATION. NO TRANSMISSION PARTS WERE DAMAGED OR REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT; NOR HAS THERE BEEN A REPEAT OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10267532

Incident

Apr 4, 2007

Mileage

115,000 mi

WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS, WHEN UPON WAKING AT AROUND 3:50 AM ON SUNDAY MORNING, I SMELLED A STRANGE ODOR EMANATING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE. AS I INVESTIGATED, I SOON FOUND OUT THAT THE SMELL WAS NOT IN THE HOUSE, BUT OUTSIDE, AND THAT'S WHEN I FOUND MY CAR ABLAZE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN CALLED BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT IT WAS, AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. NO POLICE CAME, AND NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE ONLY INFORMATION GIVEN TO ANY OFFICIAL WAS MY NAME, MY CELL NUMBER, THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER, AND POSSIBLY THE VIN. THE 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10252041

Incident

Dec 13, 2008

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

NHTSA ID

10207736

Incident

Nov 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAUSE THE RELEASE MECHANISM WAS STUCK. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000. UPDATED 01/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/31/07

NHTSA ID

10201791

Incident

Sep 4, 2007

Mileage

124,646 mi

BLEND AIR DOOR SQUARE DRIVE BROKEN CAUSING SEVERE DISCOMFORT IN SUMMER AND IMPROPER DEFROSTER OPERATION DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. MASTER TECHS IN AREA INDICATE PROBLEM OCCURES WITH EXCESS FREQUENCY ON VARIOUS MODEL AND YEARS OF FORD TRUCKS. THEY FURTHER INDICATE THE FAILURE RATE IS EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE COMPARED TO ALL OTHER MAKES AND MODELS.

NHTSA ID

10192815

Incident

Aug 28, 2006

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH 120000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 30 MPH ON A WINDY DAY THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD OPENED. THE HOOD HINGES STOPPED THE HOOD FROM SLAMMING INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120000.*AK

NHTSA ID

10184207

Incident

Mar 4, 2007

Mileage

120,000 mi

1997 MOUNTAINEER FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TIRES THAT HE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10177484

Incident

Jun 17, 2000