Recalls
6campaigns
3 vehicle speed control · 1 suspension · 1 fuel system
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
328filed
Owner reports, 1996–2005 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
14mpg combined
$4,665/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
5 L 8-cyl· 4-speed automatic
2 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS
Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence
- A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
- Remedy
- FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V399000
Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/THROTTLE
Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES AND STILL RETAIN THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY (PART NUMBERS 97JF-9E926AB OR 97JF-9E926-AC). SOME OF THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES INSTALLED ALLOWED A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE AND BORE TO BE BUILT TOO NARROW. THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE ALLOWED THE ENGINE DEPOSITS NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO CONTACT OR BRIDGE THE GAP. IF THE ENGINE DEPOSITS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE AND THEN HARDENED, ON THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THE OPERATOR WOULD NEED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BREAK THE BRIDGE.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.
Repair progress not yet reported220,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V422000
Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/SWAY BAR
Suspension
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
- Consequence
- VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
Repair progress not yet reported810,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V402000
Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/JUMP STARTING
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. THE ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINE BRAID COULD ACT AS A GROUND POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence
- THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WARNING LABEL ON THE FUEL LINE BRACKET ADVISING OWNERS NOT TO USE IT FOR A JUMP START GROUND. ALSO A REVISED BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT JUMP START GROUND LOCATION.
Repair progress not yet reported320,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V060000
Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/LIFTGATE BRACKET WELDS
Structure · body · hatchback/liftgate · support device/strut
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
- Consequence
- THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
Repair progress not yet reported2,200 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V137000
Listed for 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Not checked against your VIN.
FORD/THROTTLE
Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
- Consequence
- ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
Repair progress not yet reported23,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V074000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (328)
328 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The tires is mentioned most often.
41involved a crash
10involved a fire
19injuries reported
1deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 328 |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 138 | 42.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 59 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 38 | 11.6% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 4.6% |
| Suspension | 15 | 4.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 4.3% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 3.7% |
| Visibility | 11 | 3.4% |
| Structure | 9 | 2.7% |
| Power train | 8 | 2.4% |
How 1997 compares with other Mountaineer years
Best and worst Mountaineer years →19963
1997328
1998236
1999151
2000123
200122
2002372
2003152
2004210
200582
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | 1 |
| 1997 | 328 | 6 |
| 1998 | 236 | 5 |
| 1999 | 151 | 7 |
| 2000 | 123 | 6 |
| 2001 | 22 | 3 |
| 2002 | 372 | 2 |
| 2003 | 152 | 0 |
| 2004 | 210 | 0 |
| 2005 | 82 | 0 |
This year (1997)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 14 mpg combined
14
mpg combined
12
city
17
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 635 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles
What it costs you to run
$4,665per year
$389per month
1,071gallons a year
Miles ÷ 14 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 Mountaineer for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 Mercury Mountaineer FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control), 00V422000 (vehicle speed control), 00V402000 (suspension), 98V060000 (fuel system), 97V137000 (structure), 97V074000 (vehicle speed control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Mercury Mountaineer problems?
Owners filed 328 complaints with NHTSA. Tires (138), Vehicle speed control (59), Service brakes (38) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer get?
EPA rates the 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 Mountaineer compare with other years?
Among the 1996–2005 Mercury Mountaineer model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2002 the most (372). The 1997 drew 328. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.
Was this report useful?Report a data error