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1998 Mercury MountaineerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 236 owner complaints about the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Mountaineer median · #3 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23668 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 14, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer has problems

236 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires9511
Vehicle speed control3614
Electrical system219
Engine and engine cooling206
Latches/locks/linkages120
Seats123
Structure114
Suspension116
Power train92
13 other systems449

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1998 Mercury Mountaineer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 99V-164 · Jun 29, 1999 · 854,288 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 99V-062 · Mar 30, 1999 · 898,739 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-060 · Mar 19, 1998 · 320,000 vehicles

Risk. THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Mountaineer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mountaineer median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Mercury Mountaineer safety ratings

1998 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 07V-078
  3. FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENTPE03020 · closed Sep 5, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-281
  4. STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONSPE99045 · closed Oct 29, 1999
    No recall
  5. WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONPE99049 · closed Apr 24, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-072
  6. FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTINGRQ98020 · closed Nov 15, 2000
    Led to recall 98V-060
  7. VEHICLE HESITATION/STALLINGSQ99017 · closed Feb 22, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Mountaineer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HAD A WRECK COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. EMERGENCY BRAKE DIDN'T WORK RAN INTO A TREE AND DAMAGED A MAILBOX (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1998, MAKE=MOUNTAINEER, MODEL=MERCURY ). *TR
Complaint 10618525 · Aug 3, 2014
MOVED MY TRUCK TO LET ANOTHER CAR OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. PULLED BACK IN TURNED THE TRUCK OFF CAME IN THE HOUSE AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM. LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND FIRE WAS SHOOTING UP BY THE WHEEL. *TR
Complaint 10395782 · Apr 13, 2011 · 75,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EQUIPPED WITH TURBO TECH RADIAL A/SR TIRES, LINE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT NUMBER UT1TT2E4305. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD POP SOUNDED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE…
Complaint 10361605 · Oct 21, 2010 · 149,000 miles

Own a 1998 Mountaineer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.