Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 MERCURY Mountaineer

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 399 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V422000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
220,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-27
Owners notified
2001-03-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V402000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
810,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-28
Owners notified
2000-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Safety risk

VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V060000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
320,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-19
Owners notified
1998-04-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V137000

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-19
Owners notified
1997-09-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.

Safety risk

THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V074000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
23,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-30
Owners notified
1997-06-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt81—
Tires78—
Vehicle speed control36149,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2499,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal15101,000 mi
Air bags: frontal7—
Seat belts7170,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Suspension: front6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages5—
Structure: body: door510,000 mi
Electrical system43 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Power train: automatic transmission485,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Seat belts: front3124,646 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Suspension3156,000 mi
Tires: sidewall3—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control394,343 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages3—
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: ignition2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2385,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2120,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2150,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2133,000 mi
Unknown or other2—
Vehicle speed control: cables2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment159,800 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch190,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1156,000 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Interior lighting1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Power train1100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1—
Structure1156,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: tailgate159,800 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element195,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1996 model has 133 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.