2001 Mercury Mountaineer: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern suspension.
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 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The frame in back is rusting through. The back cross member at the rear bumper is rusted bad. It rattles all the time.back sway bars are rusted bad.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving, smoke emitted from the hood and the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileages were 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2012
“Seats:front assembly:recliner on my 2001 mercury mountaineer 5.0 suv. The front passenger seat no longer works. Cannot move it, adjust it, etc. There is a recall for this but the ford dealership says it does not apply to my vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Seats · May 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*-the contact owns a 2001 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle was parked, and when the contacts daughter, seated in the passengers seat secured the safety seat belt.an inadvertent deployment of the airbag occurred. The passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. The authorized dealer was notified of the malfunctions which there were no resolutions. The vehicle had not been driven since october 9, 2009 due to the safety hazard. The contact continues to wait for a response from the authorized dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired at this time. The failure and current mileages were 75,000. Updated 11/16/10. *lj”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2009
“Left front side of the suv was squeaking. Just within a week, it became extremely loud and embarrassing to drive. I brought it to the dealership and they said it's the ball joints which is very common for this type of vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2008
“Tl*- the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer, while driving at a speed15 mph the contact applied the brakes the rear wheel locked, causing the vehicle to spin out into the left side of the road. The rear end of the vehicle hit a phone booth. At the time of the incident there were light flurries falling. The contact stated that the vehicle had brake service work done in december 2006. The failure and current mileage were 70000.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2007
“Rear side interior door handles will not work . Rear side doors from the inside will not open. I have taken to dealer 5 plus times. Each time the doors have been supposedly fixed, only to fail weeks and months later. *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2003
“Consumer received NHTSA recall 03-v-281-000 concerning driver's seat back bolt. Dealer refused to honor the recall.*ak”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2003
“The internal door lock mechanism located in the rear doors broke. The handle to the locks would not open or close. The dealership was aware of the problem. *ak the consumer stated that this failure occurred under normal use and could be a problem in future mountaineers. *ph”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2003
“Left rear tire felt wobbly while driving up hill, then exploded, separating tread from sidewalls. Was able to pull over safely immediately. Tires were inspected during oil change about 2 days prior to incident. Police responded while I was changing tire, but no report filed (by me, anyway). Reported incident to firestone and mercury cust. Srvc. Firestone declined to help in any way to replace tires. Mercury helped expedite replacement, which was done w/in 2 days. I am happy with the new tires, from bf goodrich. (tiresize: p23575r15)”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer. The most complained-about area is suspension.
Does the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.