1999 Mercury Mountaineer
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 328 |
| 1998 | 236 |
| 1999 | 151 |
| 2000 | 123 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 372 |
| 2003 | 152 |
| 2004 | 210 |
| 2005 | 82 |
| 2006 | 117 |
| 2007 | 81 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 13 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
19% of complaints: tires — 29 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WAS GOING SOUTH ON NYS RTE 41 AT 40MPH AND BEGAN PULLING LEFT, DRIVER STEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER THE VEHICLE HAD CROSSED THE NORTHBOUND LANE AND WAS ON ITS LEFT SIDE IN A 5 FT DITCH EAST OF THE NORTHBOUND LANE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20000905
12% of complaints: visibility — 18 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: tires — 17 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. *AK THE TIRE REMAINED FULLY INFLATED WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030916
PE00 020, CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON SIDE ROAD AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE, VEHICLE VEERED LEFT TO RIGHT. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND STEERED ONTO THE SHOULDER IN THE SAND.
NHTSA ODI report, 20000822
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, SIZE: P265/75R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20161128
4% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
EXPLODING AIRBAGS FILLED VEHICLE WITH SMOKE AND ASH. I RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND ABRASIONS ON ARMS AND FACE, DAUGHTER RIDING IN BACK SEAT RECEIVED BLACK EYE FORM FLYING OBJECT AND REQUIRED SCAN OF HEAD TO RULE OUT HEAD INJURY. WAS RESULT OF ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI report, 20180107
3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
CURSE CONTROL OCCASIONALLY MAKES ENGINE ACCELERATE WHILE AND AFTER BRAKE APPLIED WHILE MOVING UNDER 5 MPH AND EVEN WHILE STOPPED WITH BRAKE STILL APPLIED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180527
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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 CA
Campaign 99V062001 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE TO THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) CONNECTION COULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE LINE TO LEAK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLARE NUT ON THE BRAKE LINE.
Campaign 99V123000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE HESITATION/STALLING
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.
Campaign 99V164000 — check if this car was fixed
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.
Campaign 00V072000 — check if this car was fixed
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
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 03V280000 — check if this car was fixed
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 TH
Campaign 03V281000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, S
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Mercury Mountaineer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V123000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V164000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V072000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V280000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V281000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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FAQ
Is the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer have?
9 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.