What are the worst Mercury Mountaineer years?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints per year on the road, the worst Mercury Mountaineer years are 1997, 1998, 2002 - complaint rates far above this model's median. The years with the fewest problems relative to time on the road: 2001, 2010.

Mercury Mountaineer: best and worst years

Every model year, ranked by owner complaints reported to NHTSA relative to time on the road. Click a year for its problems, recalls and trouble codes.

Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 2002

Complaint rates far above this model's median, even after adjusting for time on the road.

Held up best: 2001, 2010

The fewest complaints relative to years on the road - at most half the model's median rate.

2010solid year13 complaints · 1 recalls 200896 complaints · 2 recalls 200781 complaints · 1 recalls 2006117 complaints · 2 recalls 200582 complaints · 1 recalls 2004210 complaints · 1 recalls 2003152 complaints · 1 recalls 2002worst year372 complaints · 4 recalls 2001solid year22 complaints · 4 recalls 2000123 complaints · 8 recalls 1999151 complaints · 9 recalls 1998worst year236 complaints · 6 recalls 1997worst year328 complaints · 7 recalls

Ranked by complaints per year on the road (age capped at 12 years), so older years do not lead just because they have been around longer. Years under 3 years old are not judged - they have not had time to show their problems. Rates are relative to this model only and are not adjusted for sales volume.