Model year record

1998 MERCURY Mountaineer

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 298 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V281000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component
Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,552,880
Reported to NHTSA
2003-08-05
Owners notified
2003-08-29

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.

Safety risk

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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 99V164000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
854,288
Reported to NHTSA
1999-06-29
Owners notified
1999-07-14

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY CORRODE AT THE LATCH PIVOT AND STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WITH COMPONENTS THAT ARE COATED PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY FOR IMPROVED LATCH PIVOT CORROSION PROTECTION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V062001

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
898,739
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-30
Owners notified
1999-03-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Safety risk

IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires5375,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt48
Vehicle speed control1858,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1380,000 mi
Electrical system1099,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine969,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline7
Seats: front assembly: recliner768,500 mi
Structure: body675,000 mi
Suspension: front6
Vehicle speed control: cruise control6125,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch580,000 mi
Unknown or other5145,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch463,000 mi
Tires: sidewall4
Air bags: frontal3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers329,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.360,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings379,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages360,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission333,568 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler3
Suspension3210,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine279,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor265,475 mi
Equipment268,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly2
Seats2155,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering2
Structure: body: door2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility/wiper2104,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2120,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)133,568 mi
Exterior lighting175,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train133,568 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: rear/other180,375 mi
Service brakes1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1210,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer163,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1
Wheels: rim1

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.