Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
59
Latest Dec 4, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 328 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
19
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
What this page shows
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 59 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming driver-assistance
The 25 most recent of 59, in the owner's own words
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 assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 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 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
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 3, 2013
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
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 3, 2011
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 2, 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
Body & structureDriver assistanceFuel system+1 more
Filed Dec 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 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
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 13, 2009
CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AT TIMES AND SOMETIME DOES NOT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10287272
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
109,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 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
NHTSA ID
10134358
Incident
Aug 26, 2005
Mileage
94,343 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 18, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CONSUMER FELT SOMETHING UNDER H IS FOOT SNAP. THE CONSUMER LOST SPEED, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO DISCOVER THE BOLT HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD FALLEN OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. *NM *TC
NHTSA ID
10108573
Incident
Jan 18, 2005
Mileage
101,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 4, 2004
Crash reported
WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ID
10052086
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
Mileage
46,289 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 12, 2003
THROTTLE STICKS WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER , WHO FIXED THE IEG VALVE. VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
10033691
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 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
NHTSA ID
10022336
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, CAUSING CAR TO GO INTO A SKID.*AK
NHTSA ID
8018353
Incident
Aug 20, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 1, 2002
CAR ACCELERATES INVOLUNTARILY AT STOP LIGHTS AND IN PARKING SITUATION AFTER 20+ MILES OF DRIVING HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. SOMETIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO BELOW 2,800 RPM DURING A COAST AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE. THE PEDAL IS FINE, AND THE CABLE IS FINE. IS NOW IN SECOND DEALERSHIP IN UNDER TWO MONTHS AND SAME PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED.*AK
NHTSA ID
765053
Incident
Jun 12, 2002
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 17, 2002
GAS PEDAL KEEPS STICKING, AND IT IS TOO HARD TO STOP VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ID
8010068
Incident
Mar 20, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 12, 2001
ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE BOTH PEDALS ARE BEING APPLIED. APPOINTMENT FOR DEALER HAS BEEN MADE. *AK
NHTSA ID
896242
Incident
Sep 5, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 5, 2001
Crash reported
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND BRAKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL. DURING BRAKING VEHICLE SLOWED A BIT, ENGINE REVVED AGAIN. CONSUMER UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. $ AMOUNT OF DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
895777
Incident
Aug 29, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 5, 2001
Crash reported
WHILE TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE STARTED TO REV AND TAKE OFF. MOTOR ON VEHICLE WAS GOING FASTER AND FASTER. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER 10 SECONDS MOTOR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *AK THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARTE OCCASIONS, ONE TIME THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, CONSUMER FOUND SERVICE BULLETING 97S67 AND STATES THAT THIS EXACTLY DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING. *SLC
NHTSA ID
891977
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 12, 2001
THROTLE STICKS IN THE CLOSED POSITION. SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V422. WHEN THROTTLE CLOSED, STICKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP. CAME CLOSE TO HITTING CAR IN FRONT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE AT DEALERS EXPENSE.
NHTSA ID
746758
Incident
Apr 15, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 5, 2001
WHEN FIRST PRESSING DOWN CONSUMER WAS IN A COAST MODE, AND THROTTLE WOULDN'T BUDGE. DEALER WANTED $300 FOR REPAIR. RECALL 00V422000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S568 DIDN'T APPLY TO CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD A 5.L ENGINE, AND RECALL WAS FOR A 4.L ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ID
889791
Incident
May 21, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 27, 2001
Crash reported
WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN, AT INTERSECTION, VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF MINE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ENGINE ROARED AS IF ACCELERATING. WE HAVE HAD ONE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING. DEALER EXPLAINED THAT DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME. IN SECOND INCIDENT, I AM SURE THAT I HAD MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AFTER EACH INCIDENT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ID
745990
Incident
May 14, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed May 15, 2001
Crash reported
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 17 MILES CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE TO UNLOAD IT. THEN RESTARTED IT TO TAKE IT INTO GARAGE. AT ABOUT 5 MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO DEEP FREEZER AND DEMOLISHING IT. *AK
NHTSA ID
888308
Incident
May 13, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2001
WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT A RED LIGHT, VEHICLE HAS LUNGED OR ACCELERATED, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO BE LOOKED AT BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ID
560511
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 7, 2001
THE V-6 ENGINE TYPE HAS BEEN RECALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE 302 V-8, BUT YOU HAVE NOT RECALLED THE V-8 ENGINE, WHY NOT???? *AK
NHTSA ID
742098
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 23, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK AND HAVE TO BE FORCED UP. THIS DEFECT OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES. HOWEVER, OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY DURING COLDER WEATHER. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. *AK
NHTSA ID
881302
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own