MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Mercury Mountaineer
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
236
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Tires

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 3 complaints 1996 1997: 328 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 236 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 1998: 236 complaints 1998 236 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 1998: 236 complaints 1998 236 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

1998: 236 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

40% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

1998 Mercury Mountaineer. Attorney representing consumer requests list of vehicle tire tread problems.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-13

Vehicle speed control

17% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-19

Electrical system

10% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and front underhood.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

At 2 am we smelled smoke and saw it coming from garage, when I opened garage door flames were coming out of front of car. My mothers car burnt and it is a total loss. We had to call fire dept. My garage was wrecked. My house has smoke damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-17

Also filed under Engine

When handling a cd that was ejected from the stereo of my 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, the disc was so hot I received a first degree burn.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-02

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Latches/locks/linkages

6% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing latch and lock.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 236 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. 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 →

  3. I
    1998-11-03Recall queryClosed 2000-11-15 Fuel line damage from jump starting
  4. R
    1999-03-27Vehicle speed control99V062001 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1999-06-09SQClosed 2000-02-22 Vehicle hesitation/stalling
  6. I
    1999-07-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering knuckle separations
  7. R
    1999-07-14Latches/locks/linkages99V164000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    1999-07-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-04-24 Windshield wiper malfunction
  9. 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 →

  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
    2003-05-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-09-05 Front seat back recliner attachment
  12. R
    2003-08-29Seats03V281000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
  14. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 95 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 39 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V060000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 99V062001 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 99V164000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 00T005000 · Tires
  • Recall 00V422000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 03V281000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer have?
6 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.