Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2009 Mercury MountaineerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve steering (2) and seats (2). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
6
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2010 – Nov 2022
- Steering2
- Seats2
- Service brakes1
- Electrical system1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Mountaineer model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
2 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated while making a left or right turn, she heard an abnormal noise, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the Roll Stability Control (RSC) warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the Roll Stability Control (RSC) to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”
Seats
2 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER SEAT FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THE EASY EXIT POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER SEAT WOULD ALSO MOVE BACKWARDS IN A POSITION THAT PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM REACHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 5/28/15 *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT DID MOVE FORWARD FROM EASY EXIT, BUT IMMEDIATELY OR WHEN STARTING VEHICLE RETURNED TO EASY EXIT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A WEAK BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 9/17/2015*JS”
Service brakes
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.6L 8-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd · Automatic 5-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Mountaineer 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Mountaineer 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 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 |
- 17mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5152
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2009 Mountaineer questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2009 Mercury Mountaineer problems?
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (2), seats (2), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026