NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 160 owner complaints for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve tires (52) and visibility (24). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, SIZE: P265/75R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR BODY PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *TR”
“FRONT WIPERS STOP WORKING. THIS OCCURS ABRUPTLY WITHOUT REGARD TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING, ETC. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH THE MOTOR AND THE SWITCH. THE WIPERS STILL FAIL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR”
“EXPLODING AIRBAGS FILLED VEHICLE WITH SMOKE AND ASH. I RECEIVED MINOR BURNS AND ABRASIONS ON ARMS AND FACE, DAUGHTER RIDING IN BACK SEAT RECEIVED BLACK EYE FORM FLYING OBJECT AND REQUIRED SCAN OF HEAD TO RULE OUT HEAD INJURY. WAS RESULT OF ACCIDENT”
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 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 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 |
9 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 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (52), visibility (24), air bags (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).