59 of the
399 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer are about the
throttle and cruise control — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
109,500 miles.
F
59
Complaints
18
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
3661.0%
Accelerator Pedal
1525.4%
Cruise Control
35.1%
Linkages
35.1%
Cables
23.4%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Mercury Mountaineer year
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11286936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN TURN IT OFF I CAN'T SEEM TO PUSH MY GAS PEDAL WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL SOMETHING BREAKS OR POPS AND THEN IT ALLOWS ME TO PUSH THE PEDAL. I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SMOKE COMING FROM ON TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING, NOW I HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO WHERE MY HORN WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE. I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT FRAME OF THE SUV. THE FRAME SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR STATIONARY. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE SWAY BAR THAT IS CAUSING THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN CALLING FORD ABOUT IT AND THEY KEEP SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10904769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPortage, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10514788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcallen, TXCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS IT ACCELERATED. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID ABNORMALLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WIRE FENCE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND BODILY TRAUMA. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10386293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBrookwood, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER (THAT I PURCHASED FEB 2010) IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE 4.0 SOHC CAMPAIGN # 00V422000 AND ACTION # EA99001. I HAVE TO APPLY EXTRA ACCELERATION TO MAKE THE CAR DRIVE WHEN ENGINE IS "COLD". AFTER IT WARMS UP, OR IF I START THE ENGINE AND ALLOW IT TO WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, I DO NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER V8 COMPLAINTS?
NHTSA complaint #10334330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesUpper Saddle River, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT STEERING, BECAUSE THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKAGE HAD FRACTURED. SECONDLY HE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SMELL AN ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIRDLY DURING BRAKE APPLICATION THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD ALSO STICK. THIS CONDITION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. LASTLY THE MAIN BAR THAT HELD THE TWO BUMPERS TOGETHER HAD CORRODED. THE FAILURES WERE DESCRIBED IN RECALLS (98V060000, 00V422000, 00V402000). HOWEVER HE WAS ADVISED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING THE RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10295389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesLubbock, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WORKS AT TIMES AND SOMETIME DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10287272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,343 milesFredrick, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. I THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. IT WAS AT 70 MPH AND IT ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. TO STOP VEHICLE HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF. THEN VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT WOULD STOP. ALSO HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES MANY TIMES TO STOP. THERE WAS NO CRASH. HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10134358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesTruckee, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CONSUMER FELT SOMETHING UNDER H IS FOOT SNAP. THE CONSUMER LOST SPEED, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO DISCOVER THE BOLT HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD FALLEN OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10108573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,289 milesNaples, FLCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10052086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keyser, WV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER , WHO FIXED THE IEG VALVE. VEHICLE IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10033691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cornwall ON Hudson, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10022336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrisville, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, CAUSING CAR TO GO INTO A SKID.
NHTSA complaint #8018353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR ACCELERATES INVOLUNTARILY AT STOP LIGHTS AND IN PARKING SITUATION AFTER 20+ MILES OF DRIVING HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. SOMETIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT GO BELOW 2,800 RPM DURING A COAST AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE THROTTLE. THE PEDAL IS FINE, AND THE CABLE IS FINE. IS NOW IN SECOND DEALERSHIP IN UNDER TWO MONTHS AND SAME PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #765053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
GAS PEDAL KEEPS STICKING, AND IT IS TOO HARD TO STOP VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #8010068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longmellow, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE BOTH PEDALS ARE BEING APPLIED. APPOINTMENT FOR DEALER HAS BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #896242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Grove, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH AND BRAKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL. DURING BRAKING VEHICLE SLOWED A BIT, ENGINE REVVED AGAIN. CONSUMER UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. $ AMOUNT OF DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #895777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellenwood, GACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE STARTED TO REV AND TAKE OFF. MOTOR ON VEHICLE WAS GOING FASTER AND FASTER. FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER 10 SECONDS MOTOR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *AK THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARTE OCCASIONS, ONE TIME THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CONSUMER HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, CONSUMER FOUND SERVICE BULLETING 97S67 AND STATES THAT THIS EXACTLY DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everett, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THROTLE STICKS IN THE CLOSED POSITION. SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V422. WHEN THROTTLE CLOSED, STICKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP. CAME CLOSE TO HITTING CAR IN FRONT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE AT DEALERS EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #746758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn Park, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN FIRST PRESSING DOWN CONSUMER WAS IN A COAST MODE, AND THROTTLE WOULDN'T BUDGE. DEALER WANTED $300 FOR REPAIR. RECALL 00V422000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S568 DIDN'T APPLY TO CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD A 5.L ENGINE, AND RECALL WAS FOR A 4.L ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #889791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waukesha, WICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN, AT INTERSECTION, VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF MINE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ENGINE ROARED AS IF ACCELERATING. WE HAVE HAD ONE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKING. DEALER EXPLAINED THAT DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME. IN SECOND INCIDENT, I AM SURE THAT I HAD MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AFTER EACH INCIDENT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #745990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Marie, MTCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 17 MILES CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE TO UNLOAD IT. THEN RESTARTED IT TO TAKE IT INTO GARAGE. AT ABOUT 5 MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO DEEP FREEZER AND DEMOLISHING IT.
NHTSA complaint #888308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hempstead, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT A RED LIGHT, VEHICLE HAS LUNGED OR ACCELERATED, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO BE LOOKED AT BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #560511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE V-6 ENGINE TYPE HAS BEEN RECALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE 302 V-8, BUT YOU HAVE NOT RECALLED THE V-8 ENGINE, WHY NOT????
NHTSA complaint #742098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sulpher Bluff, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL STICK AND HAVE TO BE FORCED UP. THIS DEFECT OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES. HOWEVER, OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY DURING COLDER WEATHER. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.
NHTSA complaint #881302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorkshire, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM A STOP, PEDAL STICKS AND YOU HAVE TO HIT PEDAL TO GET IT TO MOVE. THE LONGER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THE WORSE THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE. (TEMPERATURE RELATED?) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO, ESPECIALLY WHEN ON SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND LINKAGE, AND ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $300. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO PRETTY MUCH PARALLEL THE PROBLEM W/ THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINES THAT ARE A PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 00V422000 RECALL. AND YET THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 5.0L ENGINE. I DON'T GET IT!.
NHTSA complaint #739833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carmichael, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF MY VECHICLE HAVE ACCIDENTLY HIT THE ACCELERATOR WHILE BRAKING. THIS HAS CAUSED ONE ACCIDENT WITH 0 PROPERTY DAMAGE HOWEVER THE OTHER DRIVER IS CLAIMING $12,000 IN INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #739643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poughkeepsie, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DISTANCE BETWEEN GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY AN INCH AND HALF. THIS CAUSED TWO MAJOR ACCIDENTS, AND 2 MINOR CRASHES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #878677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PARKING AT A RIGHT ANGLE ON A STEEP HILL OVERLOOKING A BUSY ROAD, THE CAR ALMOST AT A STANDSTILL, THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED SCREAMING, THE GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD OVER A CONCRETE PARKING CURB AND MOWED DOWN A TALL PALM TREE. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF NOT FOR HITTING THE TREE, AS SHE HAD ALREADY TAKEN OFF HER SEATBELT AND OPENED HER DOOR - WE WERE SO CLOSE TO A STANDSTILL. THE TREE STOPPED THE CAR FROM GOING OVER A VERY STEEP HILL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ONTO TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD BELOW. THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF THE TREE IS NOT YET KNOWN. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED VIA CHANNEL 4 TV IN UK, AND DATELINE NBC THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, AS MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF NOT FOR THE PALM TREE. I HAVE NOW HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED ON THE VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN DRIVE IT, AS I CAN NOT ETHICALLY TRADE IT IN AND LET SOMEONE ELSE BUY IT WHEN I KNOW IT HAS A PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT BY REGISTERING THIS BRIEF COMPLAINT THAT IT WILL HELP YOU TO INFLUENCE FORD LINCOLN MERCURY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULT RECALL THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #738056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pierceton, INCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON PUTTING VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE THROTTLE STUCK & VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #864344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.