2000 Mercury Mountaineer: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 123 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (18% 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 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact's daughter owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while her husband and her daughter were inspecting the engine compartment of the vehicle, the hinges of the hood failed, causing the hood to drop inadvertently. The contact's husband sustained a laceration on the arm but did not seek medical assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the hood hinges were replaced. Additionally, the contact purchased a stick to hold the hood open. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2025
“I unlocked my vehicle, put the key in the ignition and it made a noise, then immediately after that failure to start, everything stopped working. No lights, will not lock doors, no clicking sound as if it were a dead battery.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. While driving, the headlights gradually became dim and shut off. After the contact made several attempts, the headlights turned back on and remained illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. While parked, the vehicle erupted into flames without warning. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle remained at the contact's residence where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle parked in front of the contact's vehicle was also destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v017000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 2000 mercury mountaineer. While driving approximately 65 mph, fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle and the engine began to smoke before it caught fire. The check engine indicator illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2014
“I was driving to an intersection with my family while going 45 mph. I noticed black coming through the vents. I pulled off to a gas station parking lot. I proceeded to use fire extinguishers under the hood, the fire department had to come put it out. They did a look through and determined the fire started at the fuse box. I went home and researched that this is a recurring problem with this type of vehicle. I'm now out the 6500 I used to purchase it. I cant fix it or trade it in now. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the door locks became inoperable at times and took numerous attempts before the latch would open. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2014
“I am disable on june 11, 2014 I was traveling about 35 mph and suddenly flames gushed from the dash I stopped the ignition would not turn off fire wipped my right side and I broke my ankle trying to get out of the car. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that smoke emitted from under the hood area. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed black smoke and flames in the engine area. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 165,000. Updated 06/26/13*lj the consumer believed the speed control deactivation switch was the cause of the fire. Updated 06/27/13 *bf updated updated 07/02/2013 *js”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“I have a 2000 mercury mountaineer that I have had for 2yrs. Now. I keep up the maintenance on this car. I keep the oil changed tires rotated, brakes fixed, pass the emission test every year since purchasing it. I've had this squealing high pitch grinding noise comin from the rear tires.it is very loud. I have new brakes all the way around,shoes,rotors,pads,in it still makes this very loud noise.it has gotten louder since I have all new brakes. I don't know what this noise is, but I know its embarrassing to drive,cause the noise is so loud. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
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 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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 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 2000 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
NHTSA has 123 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Mercury Mountaineer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. 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.