NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 210 owner complaints for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve structure (79) and power train (64). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
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 |
“1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME LOOSE.”
“This vehicle is has a power train problem from day one with the 5R55S/W transmission and AWD transfer case. I purchased this vehicle where it stranded my family over 200 miles from home and it's a non running car. This vehicle should have been removed from being sold with this defect and crushed! I will never buy a FoundOnRoad Dead ford pos ever. The transmission went into neutral with out any notice. To repair the faulty drive train I will cost me aprox $2400.00 mileage 152,000 third time the drive train has been worked on.. There tranmissions were failing in a little as 50,000 miles.”
“I HAD PICKED UP MY KIDS FROM DAYCARE AND I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP. WHILE BACKING UP I HEARD A LOUD POP AND I GOT OUT TO SEE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING VISIBLE. SO I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE STREET MY VEHICLE AXLE BROKE AND MY TRUCK HIT THE STREET IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY AXLE AND MY DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN ALSO, AM I AM LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A BAD ACCIDENT WITH THE EXTEND OF THE DAMAGE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. AFTER I FIXED THAT AND IT COST $2900. THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. THEN ALL THREE OF MY CADILLAC CONVERTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM AND OH YEAH THE BACK REAR GATE HAS BEEN CRACKED LIKE THE MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT. *TR”
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 FFV Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-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 FFV Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 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 |
1 safety recall 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 210 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (79), power train (64), vehicle speed control (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).