RoadVitals

2006 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.
56
Latest Dec 27, 2022
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.
48%
of 117 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.
1
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 engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 56 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

The 25 most recent of 56, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that her husband informed her that the vehicle had experienced an unknown radiator failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the radiator was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was repaired for a second time by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,869.

NHTSA ID
11498964
Incident
Feb 1, 2022
Mileage
143,869 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2017

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. THE CAR KEEPS STALLING OR DYING AS YOU MAY SAY AS I DRIVE. IT WILL BE OKAY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN JUST DIE RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY! ONCE IT DIES ONCE, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED DOWN. I HAVE THE ENGINE CODES OF P2104, P2111 AND P2135 WITH A REFERE TO P2101. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND PAID WELL OVER $1,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT JUST CONTINUES. I AM AFRAID MY FAMILY MAY ALL DIE! WERE ON 93 RECENTLY HEADING TOWARD BOSTON AND MY CAR DIED RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF 495. I HAD ALL MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAVE FIXED THE FUEL SYSTEM (ERROR CODE LAST TIME), HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP, AND THROTTLE SENSOR ETC.

NHTSA ID
11022125
Incident
Jul 21, 2017
Mileage
42,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" ENGINE ALWAYS TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I FIXED IT AT 3 DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS AND STILL THE SAME.

NHTSA ID
10925107
Incident
Feb 15, 2016
Body & structureEngineInterior & seats
Filed Nov 8, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" PAINTING, SEATS ELECTRIC, LIGHT OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
10925106
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2015

MY 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FORUMS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING ISSUE WITH MANY OF THIS VEHICLES OWNERS. UNFORTUNATELY FOR OWNERS, FORD ISSUED A TBS IN 2009 JUST IN TIME FOR MOST OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES' WARRANTIES TO EXPIRE. SOME OWNERS ARE ON THEIR 3RD OR MORE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT, I AM ONLY ON MY FIRST. I PETITION THAT FORD RECALLS THIS ISSUE BEFORE MYSELF AND OTHERS HAVE TO REPEATEDLY PAY FOR THIS CLEAR DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THEIR HARD OWNED MONEY. THIS PROBLEM ALSO POSES SAFETY RISK TO THE PASSENGERS OPERATING THESE VEHICLES AND TO ANY ANIMALS ATTRACTED TO THE SWEET SMELL OF THE COOLANT FROM AFFECTED VEHICLES WHOSE OWNERS WHO MAY NOT YET KNOW THIS ISSUE OR CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
10790412
Incident
Nov 10, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT EIGHT SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND A COIL PACK WAS PLACED TO PREVENT THE SPARK PLUGS FROM BLOWING OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10679257
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THREE WAY HEATER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID
10679247
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
106,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2014

2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILURE OF THE WATER MANIFOLD HOUSING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE WATER MANIFOLD HOUSING HAD COME APART, ALLOWING WATER TO BOIL OUT. THE HOUSING WAS PLASTIC AND MADE OF TWO PARTS. THE TOP AND BOTTOM WERE GLUED TOGETHER AND WITHIN THE TOTAL CIRCUMFERENCE OF ABOUT 18 INCHES, THERE WERE ONLY THREE BOLTS BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM HOUSINGS TO SECURE THE TWO PARTS TOGETHER, EXCEPT THE GLUE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CONSTRUCTION WAS NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP THEM FROM SEPARATING UNDER PRESSURE. IT APPEARED, THE DESIGN CREATED A TENDENCY FOR THE TOP PLATE TO PULL AWAY FROM THE LOWER HOUSING. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A NEW HOUSING, BUT HE DISCOVERED THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING, SO THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE LONG BLOCK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10637899
Incident
Jul 21, 2014
Engine
Filed Aug 8, 2014

HAD A LEAK IN MY RADIATOR WHEN THE TRUCK HAD LESS THEN 25,000 (SUMMER OF 2009?) MILES LOGGED ON IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED IT FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AGAIN THIS SPRING, WITH MY ODOMETER AT 52000 MILES, IT HAS ANOTHER LEAK AND I WAS QUOTED $800 TO GET IT REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS B.S.! OBVIOUSLY IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, OR THE $800 TO REPLACE A RADIATOR THAT SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF USE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BY FORD! IT HAS MADE ME NEVER WANT TO BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE, EVER! *TR

NHTSA ID
10620795
Incident
Apr 12, 2013
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A SMALL AMOUNT OF RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAN MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID
10568476
Incident
May 4, 2010
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ANTIFREEZE LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING IN THE SEAMS. THE RADIATOR WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AT A COST OF $400.00. UPDATED 02-2-/14

NHTSA ID
10559777
Incident
Sep 11, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 5, 2014

I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 RADIATORS SO FAR AND NOW I NEED A 4TH. THIS TIME, THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE PUMPS TO START LEAKING ( WHICH ARE NOT SERVICEABLE) AND EVENTUALLY RUINED MY TRANSMISSION, RENDERING THE TRUCK NON-DRIVABLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR AND I WANT A RECALL TO START ON THIS PART WITH FORD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558560
Incident
Dec 31, 2013
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2013

THE RADIATOR KEEPS LEAKING, FIRST DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, I AM ALWAYS PUTTING COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN SMELL THE COOLANT AS SOON AS YOU OPEN THE HOOD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I HAD 53,000 MILES AND NOW THAT I HAVE 122,000 MILES IT IS GETTING WORSE AND HAS TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10551076
Incident
Apr 5, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10547520
Incident
Oct 10, 2012
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 4, 2013

I AM ON MY 3RD RADIATOR, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE RADIATORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523159
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Engine
Filed May 22, 2013

PLEASE INVESTIGATE FORD MERCURY FAULTY RADIATORS. THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513109
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
58,000 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed May 18, 2013

PURCHASED IN JUNE 2009 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. MOUNTAINEER PREMIER AWD. TRANSMISSION ISSUE, FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. RADIATOR LEAKS. BACK LIFT GATE RANDOMLY OPENS, WON'T LATCH. WHEN IT RAINS, WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE INTERIOR LIGHT MOUNT AND THROUGH DVD PLAYER. SPARK PLUGS NOT EASILY REPLACED, BROKE OFF AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP FOR REMOVAL. GAS UNABLE TO BE PUMPED PROPERLY I CAN PUT IN .25 AT A TIME IF I'M LUCKY. IT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO PUMP HALF A TANK OF GAS. I LOVE THE FEATURES THIS VEHICLE HAS BUT THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A HASSLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512649
Incident
Jun 11, 2009
Mileage
58,945 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR AND THE CONTACT HAD TO FILL THE RADIATOR CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ

NHTSA ID
10511692
Incident
May 13, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2012

VEHICLE NEEDED A RADIATOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND CONTINUES TO LEAK ANTIFREEZE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482280
Incident
Oct 25, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR SIX YEARS AGO AND ALSO NEEDED REPLACING RECENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 9/12/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10471990
Incident
Aug 22, 2012
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 21, 2012
Fire reported

TRUCK COOLING SYSTEM DIED WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE PORING OUT, STATE TROOPERS HAD TO ASSIST US. MY DAUGHTER WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND NOW REFUSES TO GET BACK IN THE TRUCK EVEN THOUGH WE GOT A NEW ENGINE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE WE SPENT 3000 ON AND ENGINE...500 ON COOLING SYSTEM AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPROGRAMMED. THE TRUCK IS STILL HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND NOW FOR SAYS IT NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPLACED. ALL OF THIS IS OUT OF POCKET. WE CANT EVEN TRADE IT IN BC THEY WILL ONLY GIVE US 1/2 OF WHAT WE PAID FOR IT 2 YRS AGO. NIGHTMARE AND MAKES ME SICK THAT FORD DOESN'T CARE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10466883
Incident
May 25, 2012
Mileage
54,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE RADIATOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT NEEDED A SECOND REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10464685
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2012

VEHICLE STARTING MISSING, THEN SHAKING. HAD SPARK PLUGS REPLACED AND 3 BROKE OFF AND STUCK. NEEDED SPECIAL TOOL/EQUIPMENT TO GET OUT. VERY COSTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10463662
Incident
Jun 29, 2012
Mileage
76,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2012

IN JULY 2009 AT 40000 MILES THE RADIATOR HAD A HAIRLINE FRACTURE AND THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, PAID OUT OF POCKET BY OWNER. IN MARCH 2010, AT 60000 MILES, ANOTHER RADIATOR IS BEING PUT IN THIS VEHICLE, AGAIN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR OWNER. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A NEED FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE HAD 3 RADIATORS AT 60000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT THESE ARE POORLY PLACED AND MANUFACTURED RADIATORS. FORD/MERCURY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR ANYONE THAT HAS PROOF OF RADIATORS BEING REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450637
Incident
Jul 20, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2012
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED ANTI-FREEZE FUMES WERE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND A PREGNANT PASSENGER BECAME ILL FROM THE FUMES. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10444359
Incident
Jan 9, 2011
Mileage
42,000 mi

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .