Owners filed 96 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
06660066,600 milesMedian miles at failure
80 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Seats
39
0
0
0
Electrical System
21
1
0
0
Seat Belts
4
0
0
0
Power Train
4
1
0
0
Engine
4
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes
2
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
2
1
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear07E104000
Filed Dec 11, 20071,657 vehiclesSafelite Fulfillment, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines07V453000
Filed Sep 26, 20071,497 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
Risk. IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 3, 2025200,000 milesAZ
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The contact stated that the gear shifter intermittently failed to move to the intended position. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the fuel level was lowered sooner than normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The contact stated that there was a code for an EVAP failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Peoria Ford (9130 W Bell Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382) however, the contact was not provided the cause for the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Steering › Steering Control Module
Filed Oct 21, 2021141,782 milesTN
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,782.
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 202015,000 milesLA
SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2009, ENGINE KILLS ANYTIME, MOSTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL NOT PRESSED. PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS, SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, OR LETTING OFF GAS ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE JUST KILLS. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A JOLT. I HAVE TO PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. RECORDS OF ALL VISITS FOR THE PROBLEM AT DEALERSHIP. NEVER COULD SOLVE PROBLEM, BUT TOO UNSAFE TO DONATE TO MY GRANDSON. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT WAS NEVER FOUND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO. CANNOT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SEALED. I DO HAVE SOME FLUID STAINS ON MY DRIVEWAY. FOR YEARS I'VE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPECIFIED THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT KILLS ANYTIME. MAY NOT DIE FOR A WEEK, OR TOMORROW, OR EVEN A MONTH. NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. FEELS LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IF I'M SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH MOTOR RUNNING, SOMETIMES IT JUST KILLS. IT'S THE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS TO RESTART WHILE MOVING I'M WORRIED ABOUT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS CLAIM THEY FIXED IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME DIRECTION. ALL THE SHOPS I'VE GONE TO ARE REPUTABLE BUSINESSES. ONE MECHANIC SAID THE ELECTRONIC BRAIN (COMPUTER BOX) MIGHT BE CAUSING AND SAID TO SEND IT TO MERCURY FOR RECALCULATION. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. MOST OF THE READ OUTS ARE EPA RELATED.
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 24, 2020NY
ON A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY HOOKED IN IT COMES LOSE.
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 10, 2020NY
SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILS TO SAY HOOKED INTO THE SEAT BELT CLIP-IN
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 10, 202085,625 milesNY
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WITH NOT STAY LOCKED IN.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 27, 2020120,000 milesWI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO MARITIME FORD (1305 FRANKLIN ST, MANITOWOC, WI 54220) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *DT*JB
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 9, 2020140,074 milesNJ
CAR WHEN IDLE SHUTS OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC LOCKING BREAK AN STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THANK GOD I WAS CLOSE TO EMERGENCY EXIT CAR SHUTOFF NOT ALLOWING TO BRAKE HAD TO PRESS EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 202029,000 milesFL
AT 28000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ERRATIC, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND COVERED UP THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANT ENDED AND THE BATTERY FAILED AT WHICH TIME THE CAR REVERTED BACK TO DEFAULT AND CONTINUED TO BUCK AND JERK UNTIL THE CAR REACHED HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY ON 3/5/20. THE ABS MODULE JUST FAILED DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ALSO THE CAR INDICATED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE IN GOOD OPERATIONAL CONDITION. THIS ERROR COMES AND GOES CONSTANTLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 25, 2019198,000 milesVA
DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT WILL MOVE ITSELF BACKWARDS WHILE CAR IS MOVING. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO THIS PROBLEM, IT IS RANDOM.
Seats
Filed Aug 16, 2019107,000 milesNV
WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE SEAT WILL MOVE BACK ON IT'S OWN VOLITION INTO EXIT POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT GOES OVER A BUMP OR IF THE KEY IS JIGGLED IN THE IGNITION. IT HAPPENED IN MULTIPLE SITUATIONS LAST WEEK. VERY FRIGHTENING AS I HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO REACH THE BRAKE AND ALSO MOVE THE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION. I HAVE TURNED OFF THE EASY EXIT OPTION SO THIS HAS STOPPED IT BUT IT UPSETS ME THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A FEATURE THAT I PAID FOR.
Electrical System
Filed May 27, 2019135,000 milesFL
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SEAT GOES BACKWARD AND INTERIOR LIGHTS GOES ON WITH OUT USING OR PUSHING NO INSTRUMENTS
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 17, 2019129,000 milesMD
TAKATA RECALL WHILE MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, & WHEN I STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, IT'S SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, & ON CITY STREETS AT NORMAL SPEEDS. IT HAS PROVEN DANGEROUS SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE JERKS VERY HARD. ALSO WHEN I DRIVE FOR MORE THAN 6 TO 7 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR COMES ON.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 18, 201813,000 milesMN
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE INTERIOR LIGHT TURNS ON AND THE SEAT MOVES BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH THE PEDAL/BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE POSTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND DON'T SEE HOW IT CANNOT BE A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS
Steering
Filed Feb 13, 2018113,332 milesNY
POWER STEERING PROBLEM INTERMITTENT STEERING SEEMS TO CHANGE FROM MANUAL STEERING WHEN TURNING MAKING VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER
Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 201790,000 milesWI
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES THE DOME LIGHTS TURNED ON AND AUTOMATIC SEATS MOVE BACK WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE PERSISTS AND OFTEN OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE FOUND ONLINE. IT IS NOT DUE TO A HEAVY KEY CHAIN AS I ONLY HAVE THE FOB AND KEY ATTACKED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SEATS PULL THE DRIVER AWAY FROM THE PEDALS AND STEERING WHEEL. INVESTIGATE! RECALL!
Electrical System
Filed Oct 23, 2017112,580 milesNY
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE SEAT WILL SUDDENLY MOVE BACKWARDS TO THE "OPEN DOOR" POSITION, AS THOUGH THE KEY HAD BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH SHORT LEGS, AS ONE CAN NO LONGER REACH THE GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE. SLIGHTLY "WIGGLING" THE KEY OR IGNITION SWITCH WILL USUALLY GET THE SEAT TO MOVE BACK TO THE PRESET DRIVING POSITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO GO ON, AND TURN OFF WHEN THE SEAT MOVES BACK INTO POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT ALL DIFFERENT SPEEDS, AND IT SEEMS MOST EVENTS HAPPEN AFTER THE CAR HITS A BUMP, BUT NOT ALWAYS. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT JUST SEEMS TO HAPPEN WITHOUT ANYTHING TO SET IT OFF. IT ALSO CAN HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP, OR JUST AS YOU START TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. THE DATE SHOWN FOR WHEN IT HAPPENED IS THE LATEST DATE - I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN - BUT IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 10 MONTHS.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 19, 2017RI
TURN KEY ON AN SEAT GOES BACK AN FOURTH ,THEN STOPS ,WHILE DRIVING IT GOES BACK AN FORTH AGAIN SOME TIMES 3-4TIMES IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE RECENTLY ,DEFINITELY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE THAT,THIS HAPPENED WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR AN DRIVING,WHICH MAKES THE SEAT GO ALL THE WAY BACK AN I'M SHORT SO WHEN IT GOES BACK I BARELY REACH THE PEDALS, THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME FOR NO REASON ON SIDE STREETS ON HIGHWAY
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 201790,000 milesMI
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WE FINALLY FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION, WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE THE KEY JUST GOT PUT IN THE IGNITION OR JUST PULLED OUT, AND THE SEAT MOVING ALL THE WAY BACK FOR EASIER INGRESS/EGRESS AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS COMING ON. SINCE I AM ONLY 5 FOOT 4 INCHES, WHEN THE SEAT MOVES BACK I CAN NO LONGER REACH THE PETALS, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 28, 2016135,000 milesMI
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MY SEAT WILL DECIDE TO MOVE ON ITS OWN AND PULL ME AWAY FROM THE PEDALS ALSO THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME VERY DANGEROUS NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH I BELIEVE. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Dec 11, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.