RoadVitals

2004 Mercury Mountaineer Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
19
Latest Mar 7, 2016
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.
9%
of 210 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 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 engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2016

MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, LOSES POWER STEERING, LOSES POWER BRAKES. IT WILL START RIGH BACK UP ONCE I SHIFT INTO PARK. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES. I COULD HAVE JUST GOT IN THE CAR OR BEEN DRIVING FOR HOURS. HAPPENS AT 15MPH AND 60MPH JUST THE SAME. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND OF SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
10840317
Incident
Feb 17, 2016
Mileage
143,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2016

THIS VEHICLE IDLES VERY LOW AND STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO WARNING IS GIVEN ENGINE JUST SHUTS DOWN. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN TOTALLY OUT FROM THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ID
10820147
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
142,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 17, 2014

USING CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE THE ENGINE DIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, SO NOW I KNOW TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NETURAL WHILE STILL MOVING AND RE-START THE ENGINE, THEN PULL BACK DOWN INTO DRIVE. THIS ISN'T EASY TO DO, SO BE CAREFUL NOT TO PUT IN REVERSE OR PARK WHILE TRYING TO RE-START THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10625842
Incident
Jun 17, 2014
Mileage
99,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10572788
Incident
Mar 17, 2014
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 22, 2014

04 MOUNTAINEER CLUSTER GAUGE BLACKS OUT THEN METER GAUGE FLICKERS. WAITED FOR 10 MIN I'M PARKING LOT THEN IT COMES ON. STARTED TO DRIVE THEN ABOUT A MILE INTO DRIVING IT SHUTS DOWN. MIND YOU MY SUV WAS STILL GOING BUT GAUGES SHUT DOWN THEN MY LIGHTS GO OFF, THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO. BY THE GRACE OF GOT I GOT HOME. WHILE ON ROAD MY ENGINE WAS STRUGGLING. HELP BEFORE THAT INCIDENT I HAD JUST REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING BECAUSE IT CRACKED AND I WAS LOOSING COOLANT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561082
Incident
Jan 4, 2014
Mileage
201,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523274
Incident
Jul 9, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 4, 2013

I PURCHASED A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FIRST THE REAR LIFTGATE PLASTIC BROKE AND THERE'S A CRACK BY THE EMBLEM ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT MAKES A LOUD BANG NOISE OR WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT ON THE HIGHWAY UP TO 50MPH AND OVER THERE SEEMS TO BE A RATTLE UNDER THE ENGINE AND IT GETS LOUDER WHEN MPH IS HIGHER IM NOT SURE WHAT IT IS BUT IM REALLY WORRIED THAT IT MAYBE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND IF THIS PROBLEM ISN'T RECALLED ME AND MY FAMILY PLUS OTHERS ARE IN REALLY BIG DANGER ITS A FAMILY CAR SO IM STARTING TO WORRY FOR MY FAMILY AND THERE SAFETY THESE VEHICLES NEED TO GO ON INSPECTION AND SOON SO THESE DOESN'T LEAD TO ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514957
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
Mileage
99,750 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 19, 2013

ENGINE STALLS WHEN ACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL WHICH RESULTS IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART. STARTS EVERY TIME. HAS REPEATED 3 TIMES. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE FORD ELECTRICAL COMPUTER DESIGN TO RESULT A FAILURE MODE THAT STALLS THE VEHICLE ENGINE WHILE UNDER SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493478
Incident
Jan 19, 2013
Mileage
130,629 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 9, 2012

IN APRIL 2008 OUR TRANSMISSION WENT. IT WAS REBUILT WITH ALL FORD PARTS. IT'S HAS GONE AGAIN IN JULY 2012. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND YEAR AND MODEL . THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!! I WANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL 3 TRANSMISSIONS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10464762
Incident
Apr 22, 2008
Mileage
45,600 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2012

SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER STEERING ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443895
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Mileage
93,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+4 more
Filed Jun 22, 2011
Crash reported

I HAVE A USED 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I PURCHASED IN 12/2008 IT HAD 53,000 MILES. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES,BRAKE PADS,FLUID CHANGES, AND 60,000-MILE SERVICE PACKAGE. I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES I HAVE ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. FRONT/REAR BRAKE PADS,FRONT/REAR ROTORS,SPARK PLUGS,-DEFECTED PARTS 2. BATTERY 3. TIRES-CONSTANT FLATS 4. LUG TORQUE-DRIVER FRONT/REAR 5. HOOD SHOCKS,TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT 6. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK/ FRONT PUMP SEAL LEAK 7. NOISE AT HARMONIC BALANCER 8. ROAR NOISE AND SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS 9. HUB ASSEMBLIES MAKING NOISE FRONT LEFT/RIGHT SIDE; UNLESS REPLACED VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE PER FORD DEALERSHIP 10. BRAKE PADS- FRONT/REAR NEED TO BE REPLACED GOING BAD (SECOND TIME NEEDING TO BE REPLACED) 11. NEEDS FRONT ALIGNMENT-PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE 12. FUEL FILTER 13. NEEDS ALL NEW TIRES 14. IGNITION COIL -DEFECTIVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED 15. VEHICLE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK WHILE DRIVING WON'T SHIFT AT ALL SOMETIMES STAYS STUCK AT CERTAIN SPEED WON'T MOVE 16.UNIVERSAL JOINTS 17. AXLE HOUSING GASKET REPAIRS AND CORRECTIONS DONE ON VEHICLE: 1.NEW BRAKE PADS ON FRONT/REAR,REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, RESURFACED FRONT/REAR ROTORS.- 8/2009 2.BATTERY REPLACED- 4/2010 3.TIRES-FLATS REPAIRED/PATCHED -8/2010,11/2010,2/2011 4.HAVE NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED 5.HAVE NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED 6.REPLACED SEAL, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID CHANGED,REPLACED SEAL-OIL-6/2011 7.HAVE NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED 8. VEHICLE IS SHAKING AND LOUD ROAR NOISE HASN'T BEEN FIXED-6/2011 9.HUB ASSEMBLIES FRONT LEFT/RIGHT SIDE REPLACED -6/2011 10.HAVE NOT REPLACED/REPAIRED 11.HAVE NOT REPLACED/REPAIRED 12.FUEL FILTER REPLACED-6/2011 13. BOUGHT BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES -6/2011 14.IGNITION COIL REPLACED-10/2009 15. HAVE NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED 16. HAVE NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED 17. AXLE HOUSING GASKET REPLACED-04/2011. *TR

NHTSA ID
10408434
Incident
May 24, 2010
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 18, 2011
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,845. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

NHTSA ID
10383234
Incident
Feb 15, 2011
Mileage
46,845 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2010

2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER - HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED. IT WAS NOTICED WHEN A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ALTHOUGH IS WAS CAUGHT BEFORE ANY SERIOUS INJURY OCCURRED, THIS FAILURE MAY HAVE LED TO ONE. IF THE BALANCER HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. STEERING IS LOST BECAUSE DRIVE BELT WOULD HAVE COME LOSE. UNIT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $475. OLD PART WAS SAVED FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361549
Incident
Oct 19, 2010
Mileage
42,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2009

I STARTED MY 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE OTHER DAY, AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, LIKE A LAWN MOWER, RIGHT WHEN IT STARTED. I SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY AND EVENTUALLY HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO BRING ME TO THE FORD DEALER. LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENGINE SPAT OUT A SPARK PLUG. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY SUV'S AND PICK-UPS. THE TEMPORARY SOLUTION IS TO PLUG THE SOCKET BECAUSE THE THREADS WORE OUT. HOWEVER THE SPARK PLUG WAS FACTORY-INSTALLED AND THE ISSUE IS DEFINITELY A FORD PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME, IT COULD BE EITHER LEAD TO A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR, OR BOTH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261334
Incident
Mar 7, 2009
Mileage
91,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2008

ON AUGUST 29, 2008, AT ABOUT 9:30 P.M., I WAS GOING HOME FROM A VACATION. I WAS GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR AND THE VEHICLE POWER COMPLETELY STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY SAFELY AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE TO ITS OPTIMAL I.E. OIL,TIRES. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY THIS AGENCY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10242083
Incident
Aug 29, 2008
Mileage
30,987 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 19, 2005

DT:THE CONSUMER STATED DURING BRAKING THE VEHICLE STALLS. WHEN THE CVONSUMER WENT TO RESTART AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT STALLED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FIRST TIME THEY UPDATED THE ENGINE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE.*AK FOR THE 4TH TIME TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER WHEN BRAKING FROM 55 MPH. DEALER REPLACED MAF SENSOR. DRIVER REAR DOOR MOLDING CATCHING FRONT DOOR MOLDING AT TIMES WHEN OPENING. *TT

NHTSA ID
10127124
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Mileage
15,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2004

THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. *JB *SC

NHTSA ID
10096746
Incident
Oct 3, 2004
Mileage
18,100 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE BECAUSE OF MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. NOISE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING INSPECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087208
Incident
Jul 30, 2004
Mileage
5,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2004

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (4) TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10053968

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

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .