MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Mercury Mountaineer
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
328
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Tires

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 3 complaints 1997: 328 complaints 1997 328 1998: 236 complaints 1999: 151 complaints 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2002: 372 complaints 2002 2003: 152 complaints 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2010
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1997 328 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 151 complaints 1999 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2001 2002: 372 complaints 2002 2003: 152 complaints 2003 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2005 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2007 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 13 complaints 2010
1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1997 328 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 151 complaints 1999 2000: 123 complaints 2000 2001: 22 complaints 2001 2002: 372 complaints 2002 2003: 152 complaints 2003 2004: 210 complaints 2004 2005: 82 complaints 2005 2006: 117 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2007 2008: 96 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 13 complaints 2010

1997: 328 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19963
1997328
1998236
1999151
2000123
200122
2002372
2003152
2004210
200582
2006117
200781
200896
20096
201013

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Tires

42% · 139 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Vehicle speed control

18% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-04

While completely stopped, the engine roared and the vehicle lunged into oncoming traffic hitting another vehicle. The dealer repaired the damages to the vehicle but was not able to determine the cause of the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-30

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that he shifted into drive and the vehicle suddenly accelerated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-03

Service brakes

12% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

5% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-06-04

Suspension

5% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing front and stabilizer bar.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 328 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-06-02Vehicle speed control97V074000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-09-30Structure97V137000 Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.

    Remedy: Dealers will reinforce the bracket attachment with two pop rivets.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-04-20Fuel system, gasoline98V060000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1998-11-03Recall queryClosed 2000-11-15 Fuel line damage from jump starting
  6. I
    1999-07-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering knuckle separations
  7. I
    1999-07-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-04-24 Windshield wiper malfunction
  8. R
    2000-08-26Tires00T005000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2000-12-15Suspension00V402000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2001-03-05Vehicle speed control00V422000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  12. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 139 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 59 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 40 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V074000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 97V137000 · Structure
  • Recall 98V060000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 00T005000 · Tires
  • Recall 00V402000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V422000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.