Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical 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.
15
Latest Jun 4, 2017
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.
5%
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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. 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. 15 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 electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 2017
Fire reported
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
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
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 2009
Fire reported
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
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 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
NHTSA ID
8013704
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING BATTERY LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8003235
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONS, CAUSING BATTERY TO GO DEAD. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASHBOARD. PLEASE PROVDIE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8003226
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 15, 2001
THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT ALL THE FIRESTONE TIRES BE REPLACED, TWO OF THE ORIGINAL WILDERNESS AT TIRES THAT CONSUMER HAD ON HIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL, THERFORE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT.*YH
NHTSA ID
562514
Incident
Jul 3, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jun 28, 2001
Fire reported
TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT UP WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY TURNED OFF DUE TO SHORT IN THE IGNITION. (DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPT.)*AK
NHTSA ID
747555
Incident
Apr 30, 2000
Electrical
Filed Mar 28, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH KEY IN IGNITION, NOT RUNNING. 2 1/2 YR OLD TURNED KEY, AND WAS ABLE TO PUT GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN HILL. CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET INSIDE VEHICLE AND STOP IT. DEALER STATED YES THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. *AK
NHTSA ID
884443
Incident
Mar 27, 2001
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2000
ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHEN GOING OUT TO START VEHICLE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN IGNITION AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE, LEAVING CONSUMER STRANDED. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD RELEASE . DEALER HAS REMOVED IGNITION, BUT CLAIMED NO DEFECT EXISTED. DEALER ONLY ADVISED CONSUMER TO MAKE SURE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT WHEN PARKING. *AK
NHTSA ID
877139
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2000
Fire reported
ELECTRICAL LINE ROUTES OVER POWERSTEERING LINE HAD RUBBED AGAINST EACH OTHER, CAUSING A HOLE AND A SHORT, RESULTING IN A FIRE.*AK THE ELECTRICAL WIRE INVOLVED WAS THE HOT WIRE CABLE RUNNING FROM THE BATTERY TO THE STARTER. THE SPARKS CREATED ALSO IGNITED THE POWER STEERING FLUID THAT WAS LEAKING. YH
NHTSA ID
870232
Incident
Sep 2, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 13, 2000
Fire reported
AS I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED FLAMES IN THE UPPER PART OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. I PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE RELAY/FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE LEFT REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ASKED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY (UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION), IF A RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND BEEN ISSUED BY FORD CONCERNING THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY FROM EITHER. *AK
NHTSA ID
717283
Incident
Jan 4, 2000
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 1998
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ID
530688
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 1997
FUSES FOR WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHORTED.
NHTSA ID
604968
Incident
Oct 1, 1996
Heating & air conditioningElectrical
Filed Aug 29, 1997
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA ID
603513
Incident
May 1, 1996
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