I was on my way home from work(approx 12 miles) and decided I'd try out the cruise control in my newly acquired 2000 mountaineer 302 awd. The first part of the commute is what I would consider harmless and a very safe stretch to test out this feature so I press the cruise button to set my speed at the posted speed limit of 55mph. All was well until I approached a sharp hair pin curve about 4 miles into the trip. I gently started to apply the brake to cancel the cruise but the vehicle didn't respond to my attempt. In a state of panic, I firmly apply the brake to reduce speed and was only able to drop approximately 6-7 MPH. Still well above the advised limit for that particular curve. After making it though the curve, the mountaineer transmission down shifted and I was off to the races. I panicked and in doing so, failed to process and think clearly. My instinct was to keep pounding on the brakes in hope that the cruise cable with break or pop free. At 70mph my brakes were useless. It accelerated just past 80mph and finally right before my turn off onto the road that I live, my head cleared and I turned the ignition key to the off position and was able to coast into my neighborhood. As I exited the vehicle, every ounce of coolant was being shot out of the radiator and all four brake rotors were glowing cherry red. I was scared the thing was going to catch fire. Like incident report prior to mine, my cruise cable retainer had malfunctioned and was no longer anchored to its usual position. Ford has a major flaw in the way this system was designed and needs to take action so someone doesn't get killed. Hands down, the absolute scariest situation I've ever experienced.
2000 Mercury Mountaineer acceleration problems
28 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 102,000. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 102,000
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal5
- Cruise control2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercury Mountaineer acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- 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: cables
- 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
What 2000 Mercury Mountaineer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving to an intersection with my family while going 45 MPH. I noticed black coming through the vents. I pulled off to a gas station parking lot. I proceeded to use fire extinguishers under the hood, the fire department had to come put it out. They did a look through and determined the fire started at the fuse box. I went home and researched that this is a recurring problem with this type of vehicle. I'm now out the 6500 I used to purchase it. I cant fix it or trade it in now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that smoke emitted from under the hood area. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed black smoke and flames in the engine area. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 165,000. Updated 06/26/13*lj the consumer believed the speed control deactivation switch was the cause of the fire. Updated 06/27/13 *bf updated updated 07/02/2013
Brake lights were not lighting. Fuse was blown, replaced fuse, stepped on brake pedal, then poof of smoke at fuse inside, and under hood smoke continued for 2 minutes. Found connector for switch on master cylinder was melted and switch is still bad. Disconnected connector from shorted switch causing fuse to blow. Then replaced fuse and now brake lights work. Cruise control was intermittent for the past 2 months prior to this event. Connector is tied to keep it secure until repair is made.
While I was parking the car in the garage, I came to a stop about 12 inches from a file cabinet against the back wall. Then I put the car in reverse to move back a few inches for better clearance. All of a sudden the car unexpectedly accelerated forward and crashed into the file cabinet and totaled it plus damaged the front bumper, grill and hood. Note that applying the brake did not stop it. Very thankful that no one was in the front of the car when this happen.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. The vehicle was parked and became engulfed into massive flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of failure was related to the cruise control. A police report was filed with no personal injury. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a towing facility. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. The contact received a ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control in august of 2007. She immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The cruise control switch was disconnected and she was informed that the parts would be unavailable until november of 2007. In january of 2008, the dealer stated that they would notify her via mail when the parts arrive. As of april 2, 2008, the contact has not received a notice. A representative from the dealer informed her that they still did not know when the parts would be available. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was 05s28. The current mileage was 48,000. Updated 04/16/08.
2000 mercury mountaineer with a recall for speed control. Consumer stated that she received the recall in august of 2007 and the vehicle has yet to be repaired. *kb the dealer disconnected the cruise control.
I received a motive in august 2007 which advised me to contact my local dealer who was authorized by ford motor company to "install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system" of my 2000 mercury mountaineer (recall: 05s28). That until this repair was completed, I should park my vehicle "away from structures to prevent a potential underhood fire from spreading". I have attempted to have this repair completed at least 10 times since receiving this notice, always being told that the "required parts are not in yet". I believe I have worn down the service department with my calls, since I was last told: "they will probably never be in" !!
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 mercury mountaineer. While pulling into the driveway at 20 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Within five minutes, the vehicle burst into flames without warning. She received a recall letter (05s28) in august of 2007. The manufacturer was notified and they advised her to send photos under reference number 383940900. The ford investigation concluded that the motor was too badly burned to determine if the fire was caused by the recall. The investigator agreed with her, but he had to follow the company's decision. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 12/12/07
Questions about the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer acceleration
Does the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the acceleration of the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, 23% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2000 Mercury Mountaineer acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 102,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer acceleration?
Yes, 2 recalls: 07V336000, 03V280000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercury Mountaineer have the most acceleration problems?
The Mercury Mountaineer model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1997 (59 complaints), 1998 (36 complaints) and 2000 (28 complaints).
Other 2000 Mercury Mountaineer problems
Tires 22Electrical 19Transmission 15Airbags 9Engine 9Brakes 8Seats 7Body 6Suspension 6Steering 5Lights 4Visibility 4Fuel system 3Locks 3Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1
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