1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
298
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
40
Service Bulletins
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
The 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER has received a total of 298 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT. 40 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Tires (53 complaints), Tirestreadbelt (48 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (18 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, potentially affecting up to 18,245,907 vehicles.
Recall 03V281000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
| 1,552,880 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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...
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 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 99V164000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
| 854,288 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY CORRODE AT THE LATCH PIVOT AND STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WITH COMPONENTS THAT ARE COATED PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY FOR IMPROVED LATCH PIVOT CORROSION PROTECTION.
View full details →Recall 99V062001 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 898,739 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
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 →Owner Complaints for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
298 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
AT THIS POINT ALL 4 DOOR LOCKS/LATCHES ARE MESSED UP. BOTH DRIVER &PASSENGER BACK DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. DRIVER &PASSENGER FRONT DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE UNLESS OPEN FROM INSIDE FIRST. KEY WON'T UNLOCK DOORS. BACK GLASS ON HATCH DOOR WON'T OPEN. BACK WIPER BROKEN. BACK HATCH WOULDN'T OPEN UNTILL I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID MY TRUCK NOT ON RECALL LIST & WANTED ME TO PAY TO FIX IT. MY TRUCK HAS SAME ISSUES AS THE ONES BEING RECALLED. HOW DO THEY DETERMINE WHICH ONES TO RECALL?
AT THIS POINT ALL 4 DOOR LOCKS/LATCHES ARE MESSED UP. BOTH DRIVER &PASSENGER BACK DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. DRIVER &PASSENGER FRONT DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM OUTSIDE UNLESS OPEN FROM INSIDE FIRST. KEY WON'T UNLOCK DOORS. BACK GLASS ON HATCH DOOR WON'T OPEN. BACK WIPER BROKEN. BACK HATCH WOULDN'T OPEN UNTILL I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THEY SAID MY TRUCK NOT ON RECALL LIST & WANTED ME TO PAY TO FIX IT. MY TRUCK HAS SAME ISSUES AS THE ONES BEING RECALLED. HOW DO THEY DETERMINE WHICH ONES TO RECALL?
UNDER MY HOOD STARTED SMOKING, I POPPED MY HOOD TO FIND FLAMES UNDER IT. I HAD TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE TRUCK AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT WITH AND EXTINGUISHER. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MELTED AND SO WERE THE WIRES THAT CONNECT TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. NOT I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND GET MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
UNDER MY HOOD STARTED SMOKING, I POPPED MY HOOD TO FIND FLAMES UNDER IT. I HAD TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE TRUCK AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT WITH AND EXTINGUISHER. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MELTED AND SO WERE THE WIRES THAT CONNECT TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. NOT I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND GET MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
DRIVERS SEAT BROKEN UNABLE TO ADJUST FOR PROPER VISION VIA WINDSHIELD.
Safety Rating for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
Ford Motor Company has issued 40 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
0475 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVEABILITY-MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED-DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) P0420 AND/OR P0430. *MJ
14819 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT
14586 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
SOME 4.0L VEHICLES WITH A4WD BUILT PRIOR TO 9/13/99 MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION / PULSATION AT 0-45 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION IN 4 AUTO MODE WHICH MAY CHARACTERISTIC WITH THE CONTROL TRAC 4X4 SYSTEM. *JB
7440 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT WHENEVER THE CLEAN AIR TUBE RETAINING CLAMPS ARE REMOVED FOR ANY REPAIR, PROCEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED TO INSURE PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE THROTTLE CAM AND THE CLEAN AIR TUBE RETAINING CLAMP BOLT. *TT
13440 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
EXPERIENCING VERY LIGHT STEERING VIBRATION / SHIMMY / NIBBLE AT ENGINE IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS (PARKING LOT TYPE MANEUVERS). *TT
7316 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL. *TT
13350 — SUSPENSION
SOME VEHICLES WITH A4WD BUILT PRIOR TO 9/13/99 MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION / PULSATION AT 0 - 45 MPH. *TT
13388 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
VEHICLES EQUIPPED THE NEUTRAL TOW FEATURE, BE AWARE THAT WHEN THE NEUTRAL TOW FEATURE IS ENABLED AND THE CUSTOMER PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEUTRAL MODE, THE NEUTRAL TOW INDICATOR WILL GO OUT WHEN THE GEM GOES TO SLEEP. *TT
9810930 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK FROM THE REAR MAIN CRANKSHAFT SEAL. *TT
991813 — POWER TRAIN
EXPERIENCING AN INOPERATIVE OR INACCURATE ODOMETER / SPEEDOMETER READINGS. *TT
Showing 10 of 40 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER.
Investigation RQ98020 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Closed
Opened:
FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING
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 — 399 complaints
- 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (current)
- 1999 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 182 complaints
- 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 164 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 32 complaints
- 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 504 complaints
- 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 220 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