1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
399
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
49
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
The 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER has received a total of 399 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION. 49 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Tirestreadbelt (81 complaints), Tires (78 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (36 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, potentially affecting up to 20,275,200 vehicles.
Recall 09V399000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 4,500,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Recall 00V422000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 220,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.
View full details →Recall 00V402000 — SUSPENSION
| 810,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 00T005000 — TIRES:TREAD/BELT
| 14,400,000 vehicles affected
Defect: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Consequence: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
View full details →Recall 98V060000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 320,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 97V137000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
| 2,200 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V074000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 23,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
399 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 385,000.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. 185,000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REFUSES TO LATCH AND, IF IT DOES LATCH, COMES UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. ON INSPECTION, THE 'GUTS' OF THE MECHANISM ARE GONE.
I WAS AT A GAS STATION MAKING A PURCHASE WITH MY DISABLED MOTHER. WE LEFT THE STORE, AND GOT INTO MY TRUCK. I STARTED MY TRUCK AND PROCEED TO DIVE TOWARDS THE EXIT OF THE GAS STATION WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE BURNING RUBBER. I SAID TO MY MOTHER THAT SOMETHING SMELLED FUNNY AND THEN LOOKED AND SAW A THIN STEAM OF SMOKE COMING UP FROM IN BETWEEN MY LEGS. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND JUMPERS OUT LEAVING MY OM IN THE CAR. I THEN SAW A FIRE INSIDE OF THE METAL TRACK IN WHICH MY SEAT MOVES MECHANICALLY UNDERNEATH MY SEAT, WHERE THE WIRES ARE. I RAN INTO THE GAS STATION PANICKED AND ASKED THE ATTENDANT FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TO WHICH HE REPLIED " NO, I DON'T KNOW I DON'T HAVE ONE" AND DID NOTHING. SO I RAN BACK OUTSIDE TO MY TRUCK WHERE MY MOTHER WAS HAVING TROUBLE EXITING MY TRUCK AS SHE HAS ANXIETY AND HEALTH ISSUES. SHE FINALLY GOT OUT AND A TOW TRUCK THAT WAS DRIVING BY, SAW THE SMOKE GETTING HEAVIER AND FLOWING OUT OF MY TRUCK, HE STOPPED AND OUT THE FIRE OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE FLAMES WERE COMING THROUGH MY SEAT AND I WAS AT A GAS STATION. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAVE PTSD AND THIS HASN'T HELPED MY SLEEP AT ALL. ALSO, WE WERE AT A GAS STATION AND AS YOU KNOW, FIRE IS VERY DANGEROUS AT A GAS STATION. WE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE.
Safety Rating for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
Ford Motor Company has issued 49 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
030508 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT
16935 — POWER TRAIN
AN UNCOMMANDED SHIFT TO 4X4 LOW. *TT
01B77 — TIRES
OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT
01M01 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SUBJECT REGARDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE ON THE FRONT CAM CHAIN GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR RENTAL VEHICLES WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM (SOHC) ENGINES. *TT
01M01 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUBJECT REGARDING ADVANCE NOTICE ON UPCOMING OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM WHICH WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COVERAGE ON THE FRONT CAM CHAIN GUIDE ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. *TT
00M12 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SUBJECT REGARDING OWNER NOTIFICATION SUPPLLEMENTAL PROGRAM FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES - CAMSHAFT CHAIN TENSIONER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ADDITIONAL COVERAGE. *TT
00243 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET MAY BECOME LOOSE OR SEPARATED FROM THE DASH PANEL. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY REPEATED EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, RESULTING IN CRACKING OF THE DASH PANEL SHEET METAL AT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. *TT
00M11 — SUSPENSION:REAR
SUBJECT REGARDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE PROGRAM FOR SWAY BAR LINKS. *JB
0083 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A RUBBING NOISE DURING RIGHT HAND TURNS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. **MR
8164 — EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION ON 5R55E - 4R55E - 4R44E PUMP ALIGNMENT TOOLS. *TT
Showing 10 of 49 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
- 1993 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 0 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 0 complaints
- 1996 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 3 complaints
- 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (current)
- 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 298 complaints
- 1999 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 182 complaints
- 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 164 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 32 complaints
- 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 504 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY SABLE — 7,190 total complaints
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY COUGAR — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY VILLAGER — 2,205 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints
- MERCURY TRACER — 754 total complaints