2008 Mercury Mountaineer: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (39% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,782.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2021
“Car when idle shuts off in middle of traffic locking break an steering wheel can cause accident happened to me in middle of traffic thank god I was close to emergency exit car shutoff not allowing to brake had to press emergency brake. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2020
“Driver seat electrical adjustment will move itself backwards while car is moving. There is no pattern to this problem, it is random.”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“When I am driving the car the seat will move back on it's own volition into exit position. This happens when it goes over a bump or if the key is jiggled in the ignition. It happened in multiple situations last week. Very frightening as I have to scramble to reach the brake and also move the seat back into position. I have turned off the easy exit option so this has stopped it but it upsets me that I no longer have a feature that I paid for.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2019
“Takata recall while my vehicle is in motion, & when I stop at a stop light, it's suddenly shuts off. This has happened several times while on the highway at highway speeds, & on city streets at normal speeds. It has proven dangerous several times. When I put the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle jerks very hard. Also when I drive for more than 6 to 7 miles at highway speeds, a tire pressure sensor comes on.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2019
“While driving the vehicle the interior light turns on and the seat moves back into the park position. This is a safety issue as it is difficult to reach the pedal/brake and it happens without notice. There is no rhyme or reason to this problem. I have seen multiple posts regarding this issue and don't see how it cannot be a recall for safety reasons”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2018
“Power steering problem intermittent steering seems to change from manual steering when turning making very difficult to steer”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the instrument panel lighting system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle however, was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The instrument panel lights were replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle then was taken to maritime ford (1305 franklin st, manitowoc, wi 54220) where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the dimmer switch needed to be placed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. *dt*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2017
“While driving the vehicle, the seat suddenly went all the way back and the interior lights came on. This has happened several times since then, we finally figured out it was the ignition, with the car acting like the key just got put in the ignition or just pulled out, and the seat moving all the way back for easier ingress/egress and the courtesy lights coming on. Since I am only 5 foot 4 inches, when the seat moves back I can no longer reach the petals, a very dangerous situation while driving.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2017
“While driving vehicle my seat will decide to move on its own and pull me away from the pedals also the dome light comes on and it does this all the time very dangerous now my car will not start at all due to the ignition switch I believe. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
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 2008 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The most complained-about area is seats (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Mercury Mountaineer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines. 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.