NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 125 owner complaints for the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (28) and tires (21). The EPA rates it 15–16 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 |
“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 THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 55MPH. ALL WAS WELL UNTIL I APPROACHED A SHARP HAIR PIN CURVE ABOUT 4 MILES INTO THE TRIP. I GENTLY STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO CANCEL THE CRUISE BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T RESPOND TO MY ATTEMPT. IN A STATE OF PANIC, I FIRMLY APPLY THE BRAKE TO REDUCE SPEED AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO DROP APPROXIMATELY 6-7 MPH. STILL WELL ABOVE THE ADVISED LIMIT FOR THAT PARTICULAR CURVE. AFTER MAKING IT THOUGH THE CURVE, THE MOUNTAINEER TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AND I WAS OFF TO THE RACES. I PANICKED AND IN DOING SO, FAILED TO PROCESS AND THINK CLEARLY. MY INSTINCT WAS TO KEEP POUNDING ON THE BRAKES IN HOPE THAT THE CRUISE CABLE WITH BREAK OR POP FREE. AT 70MPH MY BRAKES WERE USELESS. IT ACCELERATED JUST PAST 80MPH AND FINALLY RIGHT BEFORE MY TURN OFF ONTO THE ROAD THAT I LIVE, MY HEAD CLEARED AND I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND WAS ABLE TO COAST…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES, SIZE P/235/75/R15. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY LOSE TIRE PRESSURE. HE TOOK THE TIRES TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INNER SIDEWALL WAS SEPARATING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE OLD ONES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,140.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS ALSO DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000.”
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 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-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 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| 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 |
8 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 125 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (28), tires (21), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).