Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
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 1998 Mercury Mountaineer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 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.
The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words
UNDER MY HOOD STARTED SMOKING, I POPPED MY HOOD TO FIND FLAMES UNDER IT. I HAD TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE TRUCK AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT WITH AND EXTINGUISHER. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MELTED AND SO WERE THE WIRES THAT CONNECT TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. NOT I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND GET MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE HIS FOOT BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PULL IT UP IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAS STILL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V422000( VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES, AS WELL AS, COPY OF THE INCIDENT REPORT. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE . *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 8/25/06. THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS SCHEDULED FOR 8/28/06. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH OVER HEATING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND SURROUNDING DAMAGED PARTS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V062001, REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ERUPTED IN FLAMES, AN HOUR AND A HALF AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE CARPORT. THE CONTACT'S HOUSE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO COME TO A FINAL DETERMINATION ABOUT THE FIRE, BUT STATED IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE FIRE STARTED IN THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
WHEN THE 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS RUNNING ON HWY 121 SOUTH MERGING INTO HWY 114 WEST, THE 1998 MERCURY SUDDENLY BECAME OUT OF CONTROL AT A SPEED LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR WAS BEING ACCELERATED EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS OFF. THE DRIVER APPLIED BREAK TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BREAK DID NOT WORK. THEN THE DRIVER HAD TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE BUSH OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION TO OTHER CARS. THE DRIVER CHANGED THE AT TO P (PARKING) TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE SURGED AND STARTED FIRE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THEN THE DRIVER REMOVED THE KEY AND EVACUATED FROM THE CAR. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIREMAN. *NM
WHEN THE 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS RUNNING ON HWY 121 SOUTH MERGING INTO HWY 114 WEST IN GRAPEVINE, TX, THE 1998 MERCURY SUDDENLY BECAME OUT OF CONTROL AT A SPEED LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR WAS BEING ACCELERATED EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS OFF. THE DRIVER APPLIED BREAK TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BREAK DID NOT WORK. THEN THE DRIVER HAD TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE BUSH OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION TO OTHER CARS. THE DRIVER CHANGED THE AT TO P (PARKING) TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE SURGED AND STARTED FIRE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THEN THE DRIVER REMOVED THE KEY AND EVACUATED FROM THE CAR. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIREMAN. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED 4 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT STATED IN WRITTEN REPORTS THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO ONE OTHER VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATED AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS.
DROVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES, PARKED VEHICLE, AND ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER WELL. PRIOR TO FIRE, NO PROBLEMS REPORTED. VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL WHICH WAS NOT USED IN THE LAST YEAR, AND DID NOT KNOW IF IT WORKED. VEHICLE WAS INSURED BY FARMERS INSURANCE. THEY HAD A FIRE INVESTIGATION DONE. THE REPORT STATED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. POLICY #0040483408, CLAIM #1005487896. HAS PICTURES AND THEM WILL E-MAIL TO BRUCE YORK.*AK *TT *NM
DT: WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH HAVING TO FORCE THE ACCELRATOR DOWN TO ACCEL AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, RELEASED BRAKE PRESSURE, AND TRIED TO PUSH GAS PEDAL, BUT THE GAS PEDAL BROKE, AND WAS DANGLING BY WIRES. HAD TO COAST VEHICLE TO CURB TO GET OUT OF STREET TO SAFETY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. TOWED VEHICLETO OWNERS HOME. FORD ISSUED RECALL ON SAME MODEL AND YEAR BUT THIS VEHICLE WASNOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN . MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT COULD BE A THROTTLE BODY. *AK
TOOK IN FOR THROTTLE BODY REPAIR AND DRIVER SEAT BOLT RECALL 9-03. THEY SAID DIDN'T NEED THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIR..NOW THAT WARRANTY IS UP I CAN'T GET THIS HAZARD TO DRIVING FIXED. I HAVE ALMOST HIT CARS IN PARKING LOTS AND IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHY ISN'T THIS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECALL. WHY DOES IT HAVE A MILEAGE AND TIME LIMIT. I TRIED TO GET IT DONE AND THEY WOULDN'T DO IT NOW IT'S TOO LATE. THE THROTTLE HESITATES AND THEN SURGES. FORD IDENTIFIES THIS AS A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T FIX IT. *AK
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE STICKING UPON DEPRESSION ON 1998 5.0 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS COLDER. LAST NIGHT WHEN I LEFT TO GO TO WORK, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE THROTTLE STUCK AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I STRUCK MY OWN HOME DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE HOME (PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE) , BOUNCED OFF THE HOUSE (STILL ACCELERATING) AND HIT A GARBAGE DUMPSTER (DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE) , THEN BOUNCE OFF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AND STRUCK A BASKETBALL GOAL (FRONT OF VEHICLE). THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY (THIS IS THE 2ND FRONT END ACCIDENT IN WHICH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY). THIS THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS A RECALL FOR THE 4.0 VEHICLES BUT NOT THE 5.0, AND I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THROTTLE STICKING ON THE 5.0 AS WELL. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP, BELIEVED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. (CURRENTLY $6800 DAMAGE, AND NOT FINISHED WITH ESTIMATE YET). I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO MY HOME, WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE SINCE AUTO INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY FOR YOUR OWN PROPERTY DAMAGE. TODAY I HAVE NECK & BACK PAIN, THOUGH I DID NOT GO TO THE DOCTOR LAST NIGHT. NOT TO COUNT THE MENTAL ISSUE OF BEING HEADED STRAIGHT FOR YOUR HOME AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHERIFF WAS CALLED, AND DID COME TO THE SCENE, BUT THEY SAID THEY DO NOT DO REPORTS IF IT IS YOUR OWN PROPERTY THAT IS DAMAGED, ONLY IF THERE IS A SECOND PARTY INVOLVED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM ITS LINKAGE AND FELL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE WELDING BECOMING DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-WELDED. *AK *SCC *JB
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS OPERATED BY THE GENERIC CONTROL MODULE (WIPERS, REAR DEFROSTER, POWER WINDOWS ETC.) HAVE LOCKED UP. THROTTLE STICKS AFTER FULL STOP AND USE OF CRUISE CONTROL AND NEEDS EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MOVE FORWARD. EXISTING RECALLS SHOULD COVER THESE REPAIRS, AS WELL AS TWO OTHER RECALLS FOR THE CORROSIVE HOOD LATCH, AND SPEED CONTROL WHERE THE THROTTLE COULD ICE UP IN PROLONGED COLD WEATHER. I WENT IN ARMED WITH DOCUMENTATION AND THE RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE WEBSITE BUT THE SAYVILLE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SAYVILLE, NY, REFUSED TO SERVICE THEM, STATING THEY WERE "CAMPAIGNS" NOT ACTUAL RECALLS. IF YOUR VEHICLE DOESN'T COME UP FOR SERVICE ON THEIR COMPUTER, THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEGAL RECALLS AND WON'T DO THE REPAIRS. RECALL #'S: 00V072000, 99V062001, 99V164000, 97V074000.*AK
WHILE TURNING RIGHT THROUGH A CLOVERLEAF INTERSTATE ENTRANCE RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND MERGE WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POPPED AND WENT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND VISUALLY VERIFIED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET HAD BROKEN. THIS IS THE METAL BRACKET THAT WAS SPOT WELDED TO THE COWL PANEL/("FIREWALL"). THIS LEFT 3 HOLES IN THE COWL PANEL, EACH BEING APPROXIMATELY 7/32" IN DIAMETER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME BY PULLING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOWARDS ME UNTIL I WAS ABOVE 30 MPH, THEN I CONTROLLED THE SPEED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS OUT OF MY HOME STATE WHEN THIS OCCURED, AND BECAUSE OF MY LOCATION AT THE TIME OF FAILURE I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION FOR 3 HOURS. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAD EXTREME HEADACHES THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT AND MY 2 YR OLD DAUGHTER SCREAMED MOST OF THE TRIP AFTER THAT OCCURENCE. THIS POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DUE TO THE 3 HOLES LEFT IN THE COWL PANEL WHICH ARE DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE LH CYLINDER HEAD OF THE ENGINE. WE ALL FELT FINE THIS MORNING. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN SO I WILL LIKELY REPAIR THIS MYSELF USING SCREWS AND LOCTITE.
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THROTTLE BECAME STUCK, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE GAS PEDAL WILL STICK, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
INTERMITTENTLY THROTTLE STICKS. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON OTHER MAKES AND MODELS. HOWEVER ,THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THROTTLE BODY AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THROTTLE STICKS WHENEVER APPLIED, HOWEVER MORE OCCASIONAL WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. *SLC
VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, CONSUMER PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE, NOR DID ENGINE REV. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, ACCELERATOR RESPONDED AGAIN. DEALER DISCONNECTED SPEED CONTROL CABLE, AND ADVISED CONSUMER THAT WAS WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, PEDAL FEELS TIGHT AND POPPS BACK WHEN CONSUMER LETS GO OF IT. *AK
VEHICLE WAS GOING 70MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THROTTLE WAS STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO STOMP ON THROTTLE TO GET IT UNSTUCK, ALMOST RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN IDLE POSITION AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL OFF ROAD AND MANUALLY HAND MANIPULATE PEDAL TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN.
ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN STICKING. ON FEBRUARY 22 VEHICLE WAS AT STOP LIGHT, LIGHT CHANGED, CONSUMER APPLIED GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED , APPLIED GAS WITH MORE FORCE AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT . $ 1700 DAMAGE TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK
GAS PEDAL CAME OFF WHILE HE DRIVING. CURRENTLY, BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS ONE PIECE AND HAD TO BE WELDED. *AK
GAS PEDAL CAME COMPLETELY APART. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. MR *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*741060
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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