Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Mercury MountaineerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints for the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer. Most complaints involve service brakes (5) and vehicle speed control (4). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2010
Owner complaints
13
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: recliner

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.

SeatsReported Apr 20, 2010NHTSA 10V161000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2012 – Jun 2022
  1. Service brakes5
  2. Vehicle speed control4
  3. Engine3
  4. Power train2
  5. Steering2
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Seats1
  8. Interior lighting1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

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 yearNHTSA complaints
1997331
1998241
1999160
2000125
200122
2002389
2003152
2004210
200582
2006117
200781
200896
20096
201013
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO SLIDE BACKWARDS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT MADE A 360 DEGREE SPIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2019Seats, Interior lighting, Service brakesODI 11292295

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“SEE BELOW FROM: TIER 1 EMAIL - CRCFMC [MAILTO:[email protected]] SENT: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 8:57 AM TO: [XXX] CT: RE: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES CRM:01660000000018 HELLO[XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX], I AM FROM FORD`S CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER (CRC). I HAVE REVIEWED YOUR EMAIL REGARDING THE CONCERNS ON YOUR 2010 MOUNTAINEER. I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONSIDERS THE SATISFACTION OF ITS OWNERS TO BE ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES. WE COMMIT VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES AND EFFORT IN A SINCERE ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CONCERNS OF OUR OWNERS. HOWEVER, LIMITS MUST BE PLACED ON THOSE EFFORTS. AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WE ARE SUPPORTING THE PREVIOUS DECISION AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WE ARE SORRY THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. SINCERELY, [XXX] CUSTTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER FORD MOTOR COMPANY FROM: GENERIC - CRC CONTACT RECEIVED: 3/18/2014 5:45 PM TO: TIER 1 EMAIL - CRCFMC SUBJECT: VEHICLE SERVICE ISSUES WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SALES OR SERVICE ISSUE?:THE VEHICLES BRAKES STARTED LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO A…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2014Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 10641517

Engine

3 reports
“AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CAR STALLS. IT ALSO STALLS AT STOP LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY, AND FORD CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2016Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10876658
All 2010 Mountaineer problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

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 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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mountaineer 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Mountaineer 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Mountaineer AWD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Mountaineer AWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
  • Mountaineer 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Mountaineer 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Mountaineer AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Mountaineer AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5585
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2010 Mountaineer questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer have?

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.

What are the most common 2010 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (5), vehicle speed control (4), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026