NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve seats (54) and electrical system (39). 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."
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
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 |
“WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR THE SEAT WILL MOVE BACK ON IT'S OWN VOLITION INTO EXIT POSITION. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT GOES OVER A BUMP OR IF THE KEY IS JIGGLED IN THE IGNITION. IT HAPPENED IN MULTIPLE SITUATIONS LAST WEEK. VERY FRIGHTENING AS I HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO REACH THE BRAKE AND ALSO MOVE THE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION. I HAVE TURNED OFF THE EASY EXIT OPTION SO THIS HAS STOPPED IT BUT IT UPSETS ME THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A FEATURE THAT I PAID FOR.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO MARITIME FORD (1305 FRANKLIN ST, MANITOWOC, WI 54220) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *DT*JB”
“SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2009, ENGINE KILLS ANYTIME, MOSTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL NOT PRESSED. PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS, SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, OR LETTING OFF GAS ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE JUST KILLS. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A JOLT. I HAVE TO PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. RECORDS OF ALL VISITS FOR THE PROBLEM AT DEALERSHIP. NEVER COULD SOLVE PROBLEM, BUT TOO UNSAFE TO DONATE TO MY GRANDSON. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT WAS NEVER FOUND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO. CANNOT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SEALED. I DO HAVE SOME FLUID STAINS ON MY DRIVEWAY. FOR YEARS I'VE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPECIFIED THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT KILLS ANYTIME. MAY NOT DIE FOR A WEEK, OR TOMORROW, OR EVEN A MONTH. NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. FEELS LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IF I'M SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH MOTOR RUNNING, SOMETIMES IT JUST KILLS. IT'S THE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS TO RESTART WHILE MOVING I'M WORRIED ABOUT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS CLAIM THEY FIXED IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME DIRECTION. ALL THE SHOPS I'VE GONE TO ARE REPUTABLE BUSINESSES. ONE MECHANIC SAID THE…”
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 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 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 |
2 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 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (54), electrical system (39), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).