DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Mercury / Mountaineer / 1998

Model Year Problem Record

Mercury Mountaineer 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

236Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
60Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Tires95 complaints

95 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control39 complaints

39 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V422000, 99V062001.

Electrical System23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages13 complaints

13 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V164000.

Seats12 complaints

12 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V281000.

Suspension11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V060000.

Steering4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V422000Reported December 27, 2000 - 220,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 27, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 220,000 vehicles across all affected models.

03V281000Reported August 5, 2003 - 1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on August 5, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,552,880 vehicles across all affected models.

98V060000Reported March 19, 1998 - 320,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on March 19, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 320,000 vehicles across all affected models.

99V062001Reported March 30, 1999 - 898,739 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 30, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 898,739 vehicles across all affected models.

99V164000Reported June 29, 1999 - 854,288 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on June 29, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 854,288 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

PE03020Opened May 21, 2003 - Closed September 5, 2003

FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT. Resulted in recall campaign 03V281000.

PE99045Opened July 6, 1999 - Closed October 29, 1999

STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99049Opened July 28, 1999 - Closed April 24, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 00V072000.

RQ98020Opened November 3, 1998 - Closed November 15, 2000

FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING. Resulted in recall campaign 98V060000.

SQ99017Opened June 9, 1999 - Closed February 22, 2000

VEHICLE HESITATION/STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19989
199920
200093
200127
200217
200317
200412
20058
200613
20075
20081
20091
20103
20111
20121
20131
20143
20151
20161
20171
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.