NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 331 owner complaints for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve tires (137) and vehicle speed control (59). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES AND STILL RETAIN THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY (PART NUMBERS 97JF-9E926AB OR 97JF-9E926-AC). SOME OF THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES INSTALLED ALLOWED A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE AND BORE TO BE BUILT TOO NARROW. THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE ALLOWED THE ENGINE DEPOSITS NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO CONTACT OR BRIDGE THE GAP. IF THE ENGINE DEPOSITS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE AND THEN HARDENED, ON THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THE OPERATOR WOULD NEED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BREAK THE BRIDGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Mountaineer model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 331 |
| 1998 | 241 |
| 1999 | 160 |
| 2000 | 125 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 389 |
| 2003 | 152 |
| 2004 | 210 |
| 2005 | 82 |
| 2006 | 117 |
| 2007 | 81 |
| 2008 | 96 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 13 |
“TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE CONSUMER HAD FOUR TIRES INSTALLED ON THE SUV AND WHEN THEY REACHED 1/2 OF TREAD, THE TWO FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL SEPARATION. *PH *JB”
“TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.”
“I NEEDED MY BRAKES (ALL 4) DONE, AND NOTICED WHEN I STEPPED ON MY EMERGENCY BRAKE THE SUV WOULD NOT STOP AND BARELY SLOWED, AFTER GETTING IT BACK FROM DEALER WHICH I INFORMED OF TH E BRAKE, I TESTED THE E BRAKE AGIAIN AND ALL THOUGH IT NOW GRABBED THE CAR WOULD STILL MOVE FORWARD IN DRIVE WITH NO APPLIED PREASUR TO THE GAS. I TOOK IT BACK AND TOLD THEM THE E BRAKE STILL DID NOT WORK RIGHT , THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION(KEEPING THE SUV FROM MOVING AT 1100 RPMS). THIS IS WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME ALL MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS AND FORD EXPLORERS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT CAN'T BE HELPED, HE TOLD ME HE COULD BRING OUT A BRAND NEW ONE AND IT WOULD DO THE SAME. I ASKED WHAT ABOUT INSPECTION- IT WON'T PASS HE SAID BRING IT TO THEM FOR INSPECTION AND THEY WOULD PASS IT . "NOT GOOD!" WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? IF IT IS TRUE ALL SUVS EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS ARE LIKE THIS THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED DON'T YOU THINK.?”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 331 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (137), vehicle speed control (59), service brakes, hydraulic (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).