Model year record

1999 MERCURY Mountaineer

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 182 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V336000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-08-03
Owners notified: 2007-08-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

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 03V280000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 448,005
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-08-05
Owners notified: 2003-08-29

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.

Safety risk

THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V072000

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Component: Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 208,903
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-03-07
Owners notified: 2000-04-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Safety risk

AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.

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 99V123000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 15,681
Reported to NHTSA: 1999-05-18
Owners notified: 1999-05-17

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE TO THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) CONNECTION COULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE LINE TO LEAK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE TO THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLARE NUT ON THE BRAKE LINE.

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.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Tires	29	49,273 mi
Tires: tread/belt	18	88,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	18	70,000 mi
Air bags	6	26,232 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	119,602 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	5	—
Tires: sidewall	5	—
Vehicle speed control	5	—
Electrical system	4	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	34,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	4	40,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	53,000 mi
Suspension	3	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	3	79,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	2	—
Electrical system: wiring	2	60,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	50,131 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	75,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	2	80,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	2	54,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	—
Service brakes, air	2	50,131 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	2	70,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	61,500 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	68,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	34,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	38,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	46,000 mi
Interior lighting	1	—
Power train	1	128,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	—
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	67,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	50,131 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	50,131 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Steering	1	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	1	—
Steering: column	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	75,000 mi
Structure: body: hood	1	120,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate	1	23,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	—
Tires: bead	1	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	1	10,009 mi
Unknown or other	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cables	1	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—
Visibility	1	70,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	109,901 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	—
Visibility: windshield	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	—

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of 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.