Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Mercury Mountaineer Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns across the Mercury Mountaineer, 1996–2010. Owners have filed 1,992 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2002 drew the most (372) and the 1996 the fewest (3).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls19campaignsCovering 1996–2010 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints1,992filedOwner reports across 15 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy17mpg combined2010 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Mercury Mountaineer complaints by model year

1,992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1996 · 3 complaints
  • 2009 · 6 complaints
  • 2010 · 13 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2002 · 372 complaints
  • 1997 · 328 complaints
  • 1998 · 236 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2001–2010. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Mercury Mountaineer owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2001200220032004200520062007200820092010
Power train 11444264193925902
Structure 37059792675301
Electrical system 019111659163911
Engine and engine cooling 13310115434300
Seats 224016265421
Vehicle speed control 2189211337214
Suspension 436106111000
Service brakes 321105531415

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Mercury Mountaineer recalls (19)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Mountaineer model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Mercury Mountaineer
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
10V161000Apr 20, 2010FRONT DRIVER & PASSENGER SEATS MANUAL RECLINERS2010—
09V399000Oct 13, 2009SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS1997, 2002—
07V453000Sep 26, 2007TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TORQUE2008—
07V336000Aug 3, 2007SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH1999, 2000, 2001—
05V520000Nov 9, 2005WIPER MOTOR GREASE2006—
03V281000Aug 5, 2003FORD/HIGH BACK SEATS1998–2001—
03V280000Aug 5, 2003FORD/SPEED CONTROL CABLE1999, 2000, 2001—
01V171000May 24, 2001FORD/TIRE2002—
00V422000Dec 27, 2000FORD/THROTTLE1997, 1998—
00V402000Nov 28, 2000FORD/SWAY BAR1997—
00V228001Aug 18, 2000FORD/FMVSS 209/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES2000—
00V179000Jul 5, 2000FORD/SIDE AIR BAGS2000—
00V072000Mar 7, 2000FORD/ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS1999, 2000—
99V164000Jun 29, 1999FORD/SECONDARY HOOD LATCH1998, 1999—
99V123000May 18, 1999FORD/BRAKE LINE1999—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

199714 mpg
199814–16 mpg
199914–16 mpg
200015–16 mpg
200115–17 mpg
200214–16 mpg
200315–16 mpg
200415–16 mpg
200514–16 mpg
200615–16 mpg
200715–16 mpg
200815–16 mpg
200915–17 mpg
201015–17 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2010 Mercury Mountaineer report13 complaints · 1 campaigns →2009 Mercury Mountaineer report6 complaints · 0 campaigns →2008 Mercury Mountaineer report96 complaints · 1 campaigns →Every Mercury modelMercury models →

Mercury Mountaineer FAQ

How many recalls has the Mercury Mountaineer had?

NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns that cover at least one Mercury Mountaineer model year from 1996 to 2010. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Mercury Mountaineer year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2002 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (372) and the 1996 the fewest (3). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Mercury Mountaineer problems?

Across the 2001–2010 model years, owners most often name the power train, structure, electrical system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Mercury Mountaineer get?

EPA rates the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer at 15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this page useful?Report a data error