1997 Mercury Mountaineer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer: 6 recalls, 328 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #97V074000 · 1997 · 23,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles, when operated for extended periods of time at highway speeds and temperatures below -20 degrees farenheit, do not return to idle due to ice in the throttle…
Why it matters: Although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #97V137000 · 1997 · 2,200 vehicles
What's wrong: The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.
Why it matters: The gas cylinder bracket May not properly support the liftgate increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will reinforce the bracket attachment with two pop rivets.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #98V060000 · 1998 · 320,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
Why it matters: The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
The fix: Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V402000 · 2000 · 810,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Why it matters: Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #00V422000 · 2000 · 220,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-ac). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and…
Why it matters: This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.
The fix: Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V399000 · 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The scds May leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Tires Tire recall #00T005000 · 2000 · 14,400,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx II tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
Why it matters: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
The fix: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (138): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (138).
- Speed control / throttle (59): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (11).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (37): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (9), noise or vibration (2).
- Suspension (15): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), steering problems (2).
The 1997 Mercury Mountaineer has 328 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 15 Mountaineer model years for complaints (2.5× the average Mountaineer year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (132 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 124,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (3 complaints, 1 recalls), 1998 (236 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Mercury Mountaineer problems?
Owners have filed 328 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (138), speed control / throttle (59), brakes (hydraulic) (37).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (5.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.