1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #03V281000August 5, 20031,552,880 vehicles affected

  seats: front assembly: recliner

  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.

  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 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V422000December 27, 2000220,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

• NHTSA recall #99V164000June 29, 1999854,288 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V062001March 30, 1999898,739 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #98V060000March 19, 1998320,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  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.

  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 location.

Other model years

• 1997 328
• 1998
• 1999 151
• 2000 123
• 2002 372
• 2003 152
• 2004 210
• 2005 82
• 2006 117
• 2007 81
• 2008 96