2004 Mercury Mountaineer: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jan 5, 2016 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · TN

While my 17 year old daughter was driving with the cruise control on in a 30 -40 MPH zone, several lights came on, the power steering went out, and the vehicle stalled. She was on a small 2 lane road, and there were no warnings prior to the occurrence. She was very scared, she turned on the hazard lights and called me immediately. The vehicle then restarted and she drove home. Today (jan. 5, 2016) the problem occurred again, fortunately in a slow speed zone again. She was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. This problem is potentially very dangerous and needs to be addressed by the manufacturer, or they need to offer a buy back at full value for placing people at risk.

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 99,000 miles · TN

Using cruise control going down a slight grade the engine died. This has happened multiple times in the last few months, so now I know to put the vehicle in netural while still moving and re-start the engine, then pull back down into drive. This isn't easy to do, so be careful not to put in reverse or park while trying to re-start the engine.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Acceleration · PA

This is not the first time this has happened! We were driving when my husband set the cruise control and it stalled our vehicle! He set it for 45 MPH and it just shut the car down! This is not the first time this has happened we set it for 35 MPH and it stalled the vehicle we notified the company we got the car from and they told us there was nothing wrong with it when they drove it and set the cruise control! We told them that it happened several times! And I refuse to pay for something now that my car is no longer under warranty when the place I got the SUV from was aware of the issue, I seen that there were a lot of other complaints about this happening, what is mercury waiting for? Someone to get killed!!

Filed Apr 30, 2014 · Acceleration · 138,800 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercury mountaineer. The contact stated that while traveling 45 MPH with the cruise control activated the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the cruise control switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted abut the failure. The failure and current mileage was 138,800. Updated 06/17/14*lj updated 8/25/2017

Filed Jan 19, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 130,629 miles · MD

Engine stalls when activating cruise control which results in hazardous driving situation due to loss of power steering and brakes. Have to pull over to side of road, put the vehicle in park and restart. Starts every time. Has repeated 3 times. This is a serious flaw in the ford electrical computer design to result a failure mode that stalls the vehicle engine while under speed.

Filed Aug 24, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 80,000 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercury mountaineer. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact deactivated the cruise control when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure also recurred when driving at slower speeds or when decelerating with the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated there was a recall and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a manufacturer's voluntary recall issued but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 9/21/12 *cn the consumer stated when the failure occurred, there was a total shutdown of the onboard computer, because the power steering and power brakes also failed. Recovery required getting the vehicle stopped on the shoulder and turning off the ignition. Updated 10/04/12

Filed Feb 22, 2011 · Body, Transmission · 108,808 miles · MO

Rear door panel cracked, visual, then found several more 2004 mountaineers with the same crack, now a lawsuit has been filed as class action, I hear a noise mechanical grind from rear of vehicle, stop by a ford dealer to get a trade in price, and see if anything is mentioned, they tell me to get my car fixed, !! No mention they knew of the problems, now I read transmission problems, glass visibility problems, cruise control fire, problems my car's cruise quit working, on and on it goes, lists of lists of problems, I know cars wear out but to know there are problems and hide them, needs action.

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Acceleration · 91,303 miles · PA

To ford motor company (fmc) via website: your inquiry: has any mechanic every came across a situation similar to my 2004 mountaineer cruise control problem as follows: every time I set the cruise control between 27-45mph and descend a hill, the engine shuts down! That's right; no power steering, no power brakes, no engine running! This is definitely a safety/warranty issue to me? The mercury service manager said that he never heard of such a problem and it's going to cost me at least $70.00, just for him to figure out what's wrong! From fmc: thank you for contacting the ford motor company customer relationship center regarding the cruise control concern on your 2004 mercury mountaineer. I sincerely understand the frustration that this experience has brought you. Please be advised that complete vehicle service records are maintained at the servicing dealership only. As dealerships are independently owned and operated, we do not have access to other vehicles' service records; thus, cannot determine if this is considered to be a common occurrence. Moreover, our dealers determine how the diagnostic fee will be applied when assigning technicians to service vehicles. In this instance, the $70 diagnostic fee that was quoted to you and the manner in which it would apply, is a standard practice for this dealership. I invite you to speak with the customer relations manager or the service manager, as he/she would be in the best position to address your diagnostic fee. At this time, I recommend that your vehicle be inspected by a lincoln-mercury dealership to determine the cause of any symptoms your vehicle may be experiencing. They have factory-trained technicians, the most current engineering service information, and the specialized equipment required to resolve your vehicle concerns. If there is no coverage under applicable warranties, recalls or extended service plans, repairs and services would be your responsibility. Make an appointment with fmc dealer.

Filed Nov 24, 2009 · Electrical · 88,500 miles · MO

While driving 40-45 MPH and using the cruise control, car suddenly shut down. Check engine light and battery light came on. Loss of power steering, power brakes, acceleration. Was able to steer SUV to off the road but was very difficult to do so. Nearly ran off a 10 to 12 foot drop off into a drainage ditch. This has happened several times before. Car max (where we bought SUV could not duplicate the issue so they sent it to metro ford in independence, mo and on the first time it happened replace the throttle position sensor but that did not fix the problem). The wrench and fail safe mode came on this last time but the persons repairing it indicated they found no codes for it and were unable to re-create to diagnose. From research I know this is a problem with other vehicles of this type (both the loss of electrical power and the no code found situation) but we came very close to an injury related accident because of this.

Filed Sep 21, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 86,000 miles · MI

While driving 35-45 MPH, car suddenly shut down. Check engine light and battery light came on. Loss of power steering, power brakes, acceleration. Maneuvered vehicle to nearby parking lot, waited, and then restarted the vehicle. No problem in restarting vehicle and all warning lights were off. Used cruise control prior to incident. Intermittent problem; unable to re-create for ford dealer to diagnose. New battery was installed by ford dealer in winter 2009.

Filed Sep 13, 2008 · Acceleration · GA

I just purchase a used 2004 mercury mtnr...everytime I set the cruise control the cars lights come on and gauges and the vehicles turns off I have to wait several minutes before it restarts.

Filed Jun 22, 2008 · Acceleration · 44,000 miles · NJ

When using the cruise control the vehicle died: all gauge lights came on (battery, engine, etc.) engine died, no power steering, etc. Had to roll to the side of the road, put vehicle in park or neutral and restart. This problem repeats itself ever time I use the cruise control. And, I see there are other owners of this model that have posted the same complaint. Problem first occurred in january of 2008 however continues today. Fortunately when the engine has died every time I have used the speed control it has not caused an accident.... Yet!