1998 Mercury Mountaineer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer: 5 recalls, 236 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 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.
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.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #99V062001 · 1999 · 898,739 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #99V164000 · 1999 · 854,288 vehicles
What's wrong: The secondary hood latch May corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.
Why it matters: If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.
The fix: Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.
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.
Seats Vehicle recall #03V281000 · 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles
What's 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.
Why it matters: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 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. 23 mention a fire, 29 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (95): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (93).
- Speed control / throttle (36): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (6).
- Electrical (21): the most common themes are fire / smoke (10), electrical failure (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Engine & cooling (20): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), fire / smoke (6).
The 1998 Mercury Mountaineer has 236 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 15 Mountaineer model years for complaints (1.8× the average Mountaineer year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (92 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (328 complaints, 6 recalls), 1999 (151 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 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 1998 Mercury Mountaineer.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 1998 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 1998 Mercury Mountaineer problems?
Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (95), speed control / throttle (36), electrical (21).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 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.