Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 MERCURY Mountaineer

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 165 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 00V228001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
144,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-18
Owners notified
2000-10-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V179000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,300
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-05
Owners notified
2000-07-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.

Safety risk

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control21132,000 mi
Tires1530,000 mi
Electrical system14138,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1258,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt618,000 mi
Air bags558,600 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.540,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5—
Air bags: frontal480,000 mi
Engine4165,000 mi
Unknown or other4101,489 mi
Seats338,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic38,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring236,001 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline224,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2—
Latches/locks/linkages270,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner258,600 mi
Service brakes2132,000 mi
Structure218,000 mi
Structure: body2—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments: support device/strut2—
Suspension: front2—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar21,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control246,827 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1102,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1126,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash164,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1183,345 mi
Engine and engine cooling158,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1240,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control141,308 mi
Equipment181,000 mi
Exterior lighting1132,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights182,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1117,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch13,000 mi
Power train1160,538 mi
Power train: driveline185,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper137,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering195,000 mi
Steering: column134,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector148,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Structure: body: door1500 mi
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm118,000 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1126,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer130,000 mi
Wheels1142,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 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.