MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Mercury Mountaineer
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Mountaineer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1997 1998: 236 complaints 1998 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
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

TIRES 23%

23% of complaints: tires — 74 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
TIRES 19%

19% of complaints: tires — 62 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 36 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20191204

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, 20031230

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130603

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 23 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS BRAKE FAILURE, APPLIED BRAKES AND ENGINE AREA ROARED, , PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION , SPEED 10MPH, LOW SPEED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970306

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 328
R 19970602 — vehicle speed control

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),

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.

Campaign 97V074000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970930 — structure

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.

Campaign 97V137000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980420 — fuel system, gasoline

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 ATTA

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 CONVE

Campaign 98V060000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19981103 — RQ (closed 20001115)

FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING

I 19990706 — PE (closed 19991029)

STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS

I 19990728 — PE (closed 20000424)

WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION

R 20000826 — tires

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 TIR

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.

Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001215 — suspension

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.

Campaign 00V402000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010305 — 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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

Campaign 00V422000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (74 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V074000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V137000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V060000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V402000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V422000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2007 ▲ 2005 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ◆ 1998 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

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:tread/belt, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.