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2000 Mercury MountaineerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 123 owner complaints about the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Mountaineer median · #6 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12337 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage102kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 27, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer has problems

123 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
Vehicle speed control2812
Tires221
Electrical system197
Power train150
Air bags97
Seats72
Service brakes, hydraulic64
Suspension60
Structure61
12 other systems409

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

6 recalls

2000 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

Vehicle speed control: cables

Recall 03V-280 · Aug 5, 2003 · 448,005 vehicles

Risk. THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 00V-072 · Mar 7, 2000 · 208,903 vehicles

Risk. AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

2000 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

2000 Mercury Mountaineer safety ratings

2000 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. 4x4 w/SAB 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENTPE03020 · closed Sep 5, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-281
In owners' words

What Mountaineer owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK(APPROX 12 MILES) AND DECIDED I'D TRY OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY NEWLY ACQUIRED 2000 MOUNTAINEER 302 AWD. THE FIRST PART OF THE COMMUTE IS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER HARMLESS AND A VERY SAFE STRETCH TO TEST OUT THIS FEATURE SO I PRESS THE CRUISE BUTTON TO SET MY SPEED AT…
Complaint 10849904 · Mar 16, 2016 · 153,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10660886 · Nov 25, 2014 · 183,345 miles
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…
Complaint 10510356 · May 2, 2013 · 165,000 miles

Own a 2000 Mountaineer?

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