1999 Mercury Mountaineer: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 151 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (33% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 151 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“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. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear driver side tire had experienced tread separation, which also caused damage to the rear body panel of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and tire failure mileage were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 180,000. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2016
“Curse control occasionally makes engine accelerate while and after brake applied while moving under 5 mph and even while stopped with brake still applied. More than once a pedestrian was at risk in a crosswalk while vehicle stopped with brake still applied, then engine suddenly became near full throttle, requiring even stronger pressing of brake peddle. We took the car to dealer (henry day ford) who updated engine control rom; but same problem continued to exist. The dealer offered no warranty of repair or even acknowledgement of problem. We now drive with the cruse control and horn and ??? Cable disconnected near windshield washer reservoir.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle was 128,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2014
“Check engine light was on. Ran diagnostics to determine the fuel tank was not pulling a vacuum. Determined the fuel filler neck pipe was cracked at the top of the line near the tank cap. Went to replace the fuel filler neck pipe and found out where the pipe meets the tank, more than 1/2 of the diameter of the connection was missing (rusted thru) and broke off while trying to remove the hose (the metal attachment from the tank is stuck in the filler neck hose). The outside of the tank was wet with fuel. The rest of the tank is solid with no thin walls. Replaced tank and filler pipe with new. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler tires, line size: p235/75/r15, dot number: rtn-st235-75-15105s. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the front passenger side tire blew. The contact lost control of vehicle and drove into the woods, crashing into several trees. The contact received injuries to the ribs, head, back and shoulders. The police department was called to the scene and a police report was filed (south carolina police report number: 40-8691422). The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and idle when it caught in fire from the engine area and spread to the instrument panel. The instrumental panel and the engine components were completely melted. The fire department was called and advised that the fire originated at the engine. A fire report was filed. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle has firestone steeltex a/t tires. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to swerve from side to side. The driver pulled onto the side of the road and discovered that the rear passenger tire had tread separation. The tire size was unknown. The current mileage was 102,172 and failure mileage was 102,162.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2008
“My car caught on fire, while parked in my garage. My garage burned completely down and some damage was done to my home and surrounding property. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008
“On my vehicle a bold on the driver side seat has broken causing additional damage to the seat. The tubular part inside is cracked and needs to be replaced. Apparently there was a recall on the bolt that broke, but I never received a recall notice in the mail. Ford is stating this was sent to me 6 times. I do not recall ever receiving a notice. Ford will not authorize the dealer to repair this at no cost to me. I have since talked with several people at the customer service # provided to me by the dealership, and still have no resolution...other than they will replace the bolt that broke...not the rest caused by this broken bolt. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
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.
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 "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.
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 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
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 CAN BE MADE.
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, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
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.
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.
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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 SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
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. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
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 THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.
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.
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 TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mountaineer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
NHTSA has 151 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer. The most complained-about area is tires (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Mountaineer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.