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1999 Mercury Mountaineer problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer is tires, typically around 80,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical Mountaineer model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
151
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
340
Worst area
Tires
Fuel economy
14-16mpg

The worst 1999 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Wipers 22Tire blowout 19Airbag light 10Check engine light 7Fire or smoke 5

Recalls 7

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed control: cablesReported August 5, 2003 · 448,005 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.
Risk
The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 03V280000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: reclinerReported August 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.
Risk
The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 03V281000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported March 7, 2000 · 208,903 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0l engines and all-time 4-wheel drive (a4wd) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or, in some cases if the function is on, could not be turned off.
Risk
An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

Recall number 00V072000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latchReported June 29, 1999 · 854,288 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.
Risk
If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

Recall number 99V164000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported May 18, 1999 · 15,681 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right front brake line to the hydraulic control unit (hcu) connection could separate causing the line to leak when the brake pedal is applied.
Risk
This could result in a loss of brake pressure to the front wheels, increasing the stopping distance.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the flare nut on the brake line.

Recall number 99V123000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported March 30, 1999 · 898,739 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
Risk
If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.

Recall number 99V062001 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Front seat back recliner attachmentOpened May 21, 2003, closed September 5, 2003

By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (the federal safety agency recall no. 03v281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation is closed.

PE03020

Windshield wiper malfunctionOpened July 28, 1999, closed April 24, 2000

There is no summary currently available

PE99049

Vehicle hesitation/stallingOpened June 9, 1999, closed February 22, 2000

There is no summary currently available

SQ99017

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer 340

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 340 bulletins for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer

1999 Mercury Mountaineer fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.0L 6‑cylRWD141916
5.0L 8‑cylRWD131815
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD141815
5.0L 8‑cyl4WD131714

What 1999 Mercury Mountaineer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 27, 2018 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · UT

Curse control occasionally makes engine accelerate while and after brake applied while moving under 5 MPH and even while stopped with brake still applied. More than once a pedestrian was at risk in a crosswalk while vehicle stopped with brake still applied, then engine suddenly became near full throttle, requiring even stronger pressing of brake peddle. We took the car to dealer (henry day ford) who updated engine control rom; but same problem continued to exist. The dealer offered no warranty of repair or even acknowledgement of problem. We now drive with the cruse control and horn and ??? Cable disconnected near windshield washer reservoir.

Filed Jan 7, 2018 · Airbags · 230,000 miles · CO · crash

Exploding airbags filled vehicle with smoke and ash. I received minor burns and abrasions on arms and face, daughter riding in back seat received black eye form flying object and required scan of head to rule out head injury. Was result of accident

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Tires · 180,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer equipped with cooper discoverer h/t tires, size: p265/75r15. While driving approximately 70 MPH, a loud banging noise came from the rear of the vehicle. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear driver side tire had experienced tread separation, which also caused damage to the rear body panel of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and tire failure mileage were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle was 128,000.

Filed May 17, 2013 · Visibility · 109,901 miles · CA

Rear window wiper motor , washer works.

Filed Dec 14, 2011 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · IN

Check engine light was on. Ran diagnostics to determine the fuel tank was not pulling a vacuum. Determined the fuel filler neck pipe was cracked at the top of the line near the tank cap. Went to replace the fuel filler neck pipe and found out where the pipe meets the tank, more than 1/2 of the diameter of the connection was missing (rusted thru) and broke off while trying to remove the hose (the metal attachment from the tank is stuck in the filler neck hose). The outside of the tank was wet with fuel. The rest of the tank is solid with no thin walls. Replaced tank and filler pipe with new.

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Tires · 80,000 miles · SC · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler tires, line size: p235/75/r15, dot number: rtn-st235-75-15105s. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the front passenger side tire blew. The contact lost control of vehicle and drove into the woods, crashing into several trees. The contact received injuries to the ribs, head, back and shoulders. The police department was called to the scene and a police report was filed (south carolina police report number: 40-8691422). The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Electrical · 196,828 miles · MO · fire · 2 injuries

Have been having trouble with door locks, delay switch on rearview mirror, window lock and window functions, ABS on all the time ,door ajar light on all the time. Nonfunctioning dome light switches and intermittent check engine light ( which when checked was determined to be some unknown insufficient exhaust flow issue). Constant clicking noises coming from the far left drivers side of dash. We noticed a flame coming out of my left front top dash vent after car had been parked for 5+ hours. It's obvious the fire started in the dash and it burnt both of the wiring harnesses under the left front control panel hitting the vent line and coming out the top vent of the drivers side of the dash. We had to poor buckets of water inside dash vents/ openings and front hood area to get the flames out. Our injuries were incurred while trying to put out the fire.

Filed May 10, 2011 · Engine · 160,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and idle when it caught in fire from the engine area and spread to the instrument panel. The instrumental panel and the engine components were completely melted. The fire department was called and advised that the fire originated at the engine. A fire report was filed. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileage was 160,000.

Filed Oct 10, 2009 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · OH

Front wipers stop working. This occurs abruptly without regard to weather conditions, time the car is running, etc. I have replaced both the motor and the switch. The wipers still fail. This is very dangerous.

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Questions about the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Is the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

Owners have filed 151 complaints about the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer, 1.6 times a typical Mountaineer model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer?

Tires, with 51 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is visibility (22).

How many recalls does the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer have?

7 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, seats and electrical system.

What year does the Mercury Mountaineer have bad tires?

The Mercury Mountaineer model years with the most tires complaints are 1997 (138 complaints), 1998 (95 complaints) and 1999 (51 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer range from 14 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 19 highway.

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