1998 Mercury Mountaineer

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER HEADLIGHTS GO DARK MOMENTARILY WHEN USING TURN SIGNALS OR CHANGING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS

• 12/30/1999· POWER TRAIN

  THIS REPORT IS ABOUT AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THAT FIRST OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER, 1998, AND CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY TO THIS DAY. USUALLY IN TEMPERATUES UNDER 55 DEGREES, A HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE/SQUEAL SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM THE BODY FRONT, BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS ADDRESSED IT IN THEIR TSB 5506, NHTSA ITEM #SB605189. THE CAUSE IS APPARENTLY THE FRONT AXLE SEAL(S), AND FORD'S SOLUTION IS TEMPORARY, TO LUBRICATE THE AFFECTED AREA. THEY SUPPOSEDLY ARE WORKING ON A PERMANENT SOLUTION, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR SINCE THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, OVER A YEAR SINCE I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALERSHIP. UPON WRITING TO FORD ABOUT MY PROBLEM, THEY ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WAS NON-DEGENERATIVE, I.E. NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEY WERE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. IN THE MEANTIME, I SHOULD HAVE THE TEMP. SOLUTION APPLIED. HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD THE TEMP. SOLUTION APPLIED 4 SEPERATE TIMES, AND EACH TIME, THE NOISE COMES BACK AFTER JUST A LITTLE WHILE. EACH TIME THE TEMP. LUBE IS APPLIED, IT QUELLS THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORTER AND SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME. GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE TEMP. SOLUTION IS LESS AND LESS EFFECTIVE OVER TIME, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THE WHISTLING/SQUELING NOISE SOUNDS AS IF IT IS A METAL-ON-METAL TYPE OF SOUND, I CHALLENGE FORD'S CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE, AND FEEL IT MAY BE ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE TIRES BREAK OFF OR THE AXLE SEAL COLLAPSES. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE FORD IS PURSUING A PERMANENT SOLUTION-DEVELOPING NEW SEALS I ASSUME (GIVEN THAT THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR A YEAR). MY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN 100% UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL, BUT CANNOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT EXIST, ALTHOUGH THEY CONTINUE TO ASSURE ME A PERMANENT SOLUTION IS IN THE WORKS PER FORD. I FEEL I HAVE EXHAUSTED MY OPTIONS IN PURSUING INFORMATION AND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, AND AM VERY WORRIED THAT MY SAFETY IS AT RISK FROM A DEFECTIVE, POORLY DESIGNED FRONT AXLE-TIRE ASSEMBLY. *AK

• 12/30/1998· EQUIPMENT

  NOTICED CD & CASSETTE GETS VERY HOT AFTER 15/20 MINUTES OF PLAY.HEAT BUILD UP ON CD & CASSETTE IS UNUSAL AS I KNOW. WHEN I REPORTED TO DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, HE SAID "NEVER HEARD". LATTER THEY AGREED. FIRST TIME THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE UNIT. STILL IT IS HOT. THEY INFORMED ME ACCORDING TO FORD THIS HEAT BUILD UP IS NORMAL. I DISAGREE HEAT BUILD UP WILL DAMAGE THE TAPE & MAY EFFECT THE THE CD'S. HEAT IS ENEMY FOR AUDO EQUIPMENT.THIS KIND OF HEAT IS VERY UNUSAL, AS I KNOW. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE DIFFERENT MANUFACURERS CAR, TRUCK ETC, BUT NOWHERE I SEE THIS HEAT BUILD UP.

• 12/28/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY AND MOST TIMES WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE WITH THE LATCH HANDLE. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WITH MOST 1998 - 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS, FORD EXPLORERS AND FORD RANGERS. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS A CRASH, I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/28/2000· TIRES

  STEEL BELT SHOWING THROUGH TIRES, CONSUMER TOOK TIRES TO FIRESTONE DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PROPER DOT CODE (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15 DOT W2HL). NLM

• 12/28/1998· STEERING

  VEHICLE MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STEERING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPLACED RACK AND PINION ON OCTOBER 19, 1998. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. REPLACED AGAIN ON DEC 15, 1998 DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RACK AND PINION. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/26/2001· VISIBILITY

  VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. READ WINDOW EXPLODED OVER NIGHT. GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE GARAGE. ONLY A COUPLE PIECES BIGGER THEN A DIME.

• 12/18/2000· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  WHEN DRIVING HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. HAD IT REPAIRED, GRINDING HAPPENED AGAIN. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER CAN'T PUT IN DRIVE ONLY SECOND. *AK

• 12/06/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TOOK IN FOR THROTTLE BODY REPAIR AND DRIVER SEAT BOLT RECALL 9-03. THEY SAID DIDN'T NEED THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIR..NOW THAT WARRANTY IS UP I CAN'T GET THIS HAZARD TO DRIVING FIXED. I HAVE ALMOST HIT CARS IN PARKING LOTS AND IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHY ISN'T THIS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECALL. WHY DOES IT HAVE A MILEAGE AND TIME LIMIT. I TRIED TO GET IT DONE AND THEY WOULDN'T DO IT NOW IT'S TOO LATE. THE THROTTLE HESITATES AND THEN SURGES. FORD IDENTIFIES THIS AS A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T FIX IT. *AK

• 12/05/2000· TIRES

  THE RIGHT REAR TIRE IS CRACKING AT THE TREAD LINE, THE OTHER THREE TIRES SHOW SAME SIGNS OF CRACKING, THESE TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235-75R-15). NLM

• 12/04/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGH AND MAKE NOISES. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASING HAD A LARGE HOLE. THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

• 12/02/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM ITS LINKAGE AND FELL OFF. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE WELDING BECOMING DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-WELDED. *AK *SCC *JB

• 12/01/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S RESIDENCE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK

• 12/01/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 11/29/2000· TIRESCrash

  PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE VEERED OFF INTO A BAR DITCH, AND IT TRAVELED DOWN BAR DITCH, AND HIT GUARDRAIL. THEN WENT SIDEWAYS INTO THE LANE OF TRAFFIC, AND THEN HIT ENBANKMENT. INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A TIRE BLOWOUT. *AK

• 11/28/2000· TIRES

  P23575R15; WHILE HAVING TIRES SERVICED NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION. *AK FIRESTONE PAID FOR PART OF THE TIRE EXPENSES. *YH

• 11/28/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. TAKEN TO DEALER ONCE A MONTH SINCE PURCHASE IN MARCH 2000, CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK *SLC

• 11/27/2006· TIRES

  1998 MOUNTAINEER'S TIRES WERE APART OF A RECALL AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH WILDERNESS AT TIRES WHICH WERE RECALLED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THESE TIRE IN 2004 AFTER THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS RESULT OF THE FAULTY TIRES. *NM

• 11/24/2000· TIRES

  WAS TRAVELING 40MPH WHEN RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE. TOWED TRUCK TO DRIVER, HE INDICATED ALL TIRES WERE BAD. CAN SEE THE STEEL BELTS COMING THROUGH RUBBER. CONTACTED FIRESTONE & INFORMED NO RECALL ON TIRES.*AK

• 11/19/2017· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  UNDER MY HOOD STARTED SMOKING, I POPPED MY HOOD TO FIND FLAMES UNDER IT. I HAD TO GET MY KIDS OUT THE TRUCK AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT WITH AND EXTINGUISHER. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS MELTED AND SO WERE THE WIRES THAT CONNECT TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. NOT I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND GET MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

• 11/16/1998· SUSPENSIONCrash

  THIS VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLING ONTO IT'S SIDE AFTER DRIVER TRIED TO CORRECT AN INAPPROPRIATE LANE CHANGE. THERE WAS NEVER ANY POINT IN TIME IN WHICH THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THERE WERE NO DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES CAUSED, BUT ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND IT OCCURRED AT A POINT ON THE ROADWAY WHERE THERE WERE NO TREES, GUARDRAILS OR ETC. IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PARTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, BUT THE SENSITIVE STEERING WAS MOST UNFORGIVING! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURERS TO CORRECT THESE SAFETY HAZARDS, BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

• 11/15/2000· TIRES

  FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235 75 R15) CAUSED VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AND HAS NO MORE PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. *SLC

• 11/14/2000· TIRES

  THIS TIRE WAS NOT A RECALL WITH THE VD CODE. IT SUDDENLY FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED BY LOSING PART OF ITS TREAD. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE PLY FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROX 18" ON ONE SIDE OF THE TIRE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. (DOT NUMBER: W2HLIPY2HL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

• 11/10/2005· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  AFTER ONLY OWNING MY VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS, AND BEING TOLD IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION, IN A MATTER OF 3 DAYS, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY 4WD LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISES TO HIGH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR BEGAN DYING, THE IDLE DROPPING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND EVEN DIED IN MID DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ME TO VEER TOWARDS THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HONOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, I PAID $1200 FOR. MY ESTIMATE CAME UP TO ALMOST $3000 WITH THE WARRANTY ONLY OPTING TO COVER $ 300. THE PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED BY THE MECHANIC WERE: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR: $680, SLACK IN BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS (NEED REPLACING): $625, ELECTRICAL AND RELATED REPAIRS: $ 215, SENSOR FOR FRONT AND REAR INTERNAL FAILURE $ 700, T/CASE MOTOR $725. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE 4WD ON MY VEHICLE PURCHASED ONLY FOR THAT REASON WITH WINTER COMING DOESN'T EVEN WORK, THE WHOLE THING NEEDS REBUILT. I'VE NEVER EVEN USED IT. I PAID ALL I COULD $900, AND GOT THE CAR BACK JUST TO HAVE IT RESPONDING THE SAME WAY, VIRTUALLY UN-DRIVABLE. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL WEBSITES, THE FORD/MERCURY WEBSITE LISTED NO RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT ALLDATA.COM LISTED THE THROTTLE POSITION, AND THE SAME 4WD PROBLEMS I'M HAVING; PLUS MINOR ONES I FAILED TO MENTION TO THE MECHANIC, SUCH AS THE REAR SEAT POSITIONING WILL NOT RECLINE, WHISTLING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ETC... I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY FINDINGS, AND FIND MY SELF IN QUESTION AS TO KEEP THE PIECE OF JUNK, OR BUY A NEW CAR. DID I GET SCREWED BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME, ALONG WITH MY "FAKE" EXTENDED WARRANTY? IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THE MANUFACTURER CAN PARTAKE IN THE REPAIRS? I ALREADY KNOW SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. *JB

• 11/09/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL LETTER # 02S28 WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE SEAT BELT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO REPLACE SEAT BELT BOLT, THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO HAVE A REMOTE DOOR OPENER INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, AS WELL. WHILE THE SERVICE DEALER WAS ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL THE REMOTE DOOR OPENER, THERE WERE PROBLEMS PROGRAMMING THE REMOTE WHICH RESULTED IN A MALFUNCTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED UNHAPPINESS WITH THE LONG WAIT AND THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALER IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE.

• 11/09/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. I HAVE HAD VARIOUS SHOPS USE THEIR COMPUTER TO FIND OUT WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON AND HAVE PAID FOR CLEANING VALVES, SENSORS, AND HOSES AS WELL AS HAVING NEW SENSORS INSTALLED. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED AT 65, 475 MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE. TODAY, THE SHOP WHERE I NOW TAKE MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICING USED THEIR COMPUTER TO SEE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON YET AGAIN AND IT GENERATED A TSB FROM FORD, ARTICLE 04-7-5 WHICH SUPERSEDES ARTICLE TSB 03-25-1. THIS ARTICLE STATES THE ISSUE AS "SOME 1998 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 5.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S) P0420 (CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD-BANK 1) AND/OR P0430 (CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOL - BANK 2). THE ACTION LISTED FOR CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM IS STATED AS "TO SERVICE, REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) TO THE LATEST CALIBRATION USING WDS RELEASE B28.3 OR HIGHER. REPLACEMENT OF CATALYSTST IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF THIS CONDITION." THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PROBLEM FORD INSTALLED ON THESE 1998 MOUNTAINEERS AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BEAR THE COST OF REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND SAFELY. THE WORKER AT THE SHOP TOOK THE TIME TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS ARTICLE MEANT AND THE POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS TO THE FUNCTIONING OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY FORD NOT HAVING THE CORRECT COMPUTER PROGRAM RUNNING IN THE VEHICLE. *NM

• 11/07/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FORD MOTOR COMPANY MR. MIKE MCMULLIN DISTRICT MANAGER AUGUST 29,2005 DEAR SIR, I PURCHASED A 1998 MERCURY 5.0L MOUNTAINEER IN JULY 1999 AND IT CURRENTLY HAS SOME 85,000 MILES ON IT. LONG BEFORE THE 36-MONTH/36K MILES WARRANTY RAN OUT, I COMPLAINED TO MY FORD DEALER THAT I HEARD AN ENGINE NOISE THAT SOUNDS SOMETHING LIKE A HYDRAULIC VALVE LIFTER STICKING. IN TAKING MY CAR INTO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER LATELY FOR SOME NON-WARRANTY MINOR SERVICE WORK, THE MECHANIC THERE ASKED ME HOW LONG I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ENGINE NOISE THAT HIS TRAINED EAR WAS HEARING. I INFORMED HIM THAT IT HAD BEEN CLICKING LIKE THAT FOR A GOOD LONG TIME. JUST FOR CURIOSITY HE CHECKED THE NHTSA WEB SITE FOR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS). HE FOUND TO MY AMAZEMENT AND DISGUST THAT THE NHTSA SHOWED TSB #14489, ISSUED NOVEMBER 01,2000, CONTAINED THE FOLLOWING: ??SOME 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 01/1999 AND EQUIPPED WITH A 5.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A COLD START OR HOT ENGINE DECELERATION NOISE COMING FROM THE #5 CYLINDER. ONE POSSIBLE CAUSE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE LEFT A/C COMPRESSOR BRACKET COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE BRACKET CAN APPLY PRESSURE ONTO THE CYLINDER WALL AND OVERTIME CAUSE THE CYLINDER WALL TO DISTORT RESULTING A NOISE DESCRIBED AS PISTON OR LIFTER NOISE. THE NOISE WILL BE WORSE ON COLD STARTS AND HOT DECELERATION, BUT WILL BE LESS SEVERE AT OPERATING TEMPERATURES. IF THE VEHICLE HAS OVER 12,000 MILES PLEASE REPLACE THE BRACKET WITH F87Z-3C511-CA AND INSTALL A FAR ENGINE REPLACEMENT (F77Z-6006??ARM FOR 1998 M/Y VEHICLES, XL2Z-6006-AARM FOR 1999 M/Y VEHICLES) FROM YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIER. THE BRACKET AND THE ENGINE MUST BE INSTALLED AT THE SAME TIME.?? I CONCLUDE THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $4,828, SHOULD NOT BE BORN BY ME. I FEEL THAT EQUAL COST SHARING IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT. SINCERELY, PAUL G. BARBOZA. *NM

• 11/06/2003· EQUIPMENT

  CD RADIO DISPLAY HAS GONE OUT, FIRST BEGAN TO FADE IN AND OUT AND NOW I HAVE NO DISPLAY. MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT SPECIFICALLY DISCUSS THIS ISSUE. IT HAS ALSO OCCURED WITH MANY EXPLORERS AS WELL. HOW CAN FORD/MERCURY NOT RECALL AN OBVIOUSLY WIDESPREAD FLAW? THIS REALLY MAKES ME DOUBT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE EFFORTS.*AK

• 11/06/2000· TIRES

  CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT STILL HAS NOT RECIVED REFUND. NLM

• 10/30/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE . *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 8/25/06. THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS SCHEDULED FOR 8/28/06. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

• 10/28/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TIMING CHAINS/TIMING CHAIN GUIDES FAILURE.*TR

• 10/27/2000· TIRES

  THE BELTS OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE BROKEN AND SEPARATING CAUSING A ROUGH RIDE, CONSUMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITOR PRIOR TO AUG 9, 2000. NLM

• 10/26/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE STICKING UPON DEPRESSION ON 1998 5.0 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN FIRST STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS COLDER. LAST NIGHT WHEN I LEFT TO GO TO WORK, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, THE THROTTLE STUCK AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I STRUCK MY OWN HOME DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE HOME (PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE) , BOUNCED OFF THE HOUSE (STILL ACCELERATING) AND HIT A GARBAGE DUMPSTER (DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE) , THEN BOUNCE OFF THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER AND STRUCK A BASKETBALL GOAL (FRONT OF VEHICLE). THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY (THIS IS THE 2ND FRONT END ACCIDENT IN WHICH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY). THIS THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS A RECALL FOR THE 4.0 VEHICLES BUT NOT THE 5.0, AND I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THROTTLE STICKING ON THE 5.0 AS WELL. VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE SHOP, BELIEVED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. (CURRENTLY $6800 DAMAGE, AND NOT FINISHED WITH ESTIMATE YET). I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO MY HOME, WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE SINCE AUTO INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY FOR YOUR OWN PROPERTY DAMAGE. TODAY I HAVE NECK & BACK PAIN, THOUGH I DID NOT GO TO THE DOCTOR LAST NIGHT. NOT TO COUNT THE MENTAL ISSUE OF BEING HEADED STRAIGHT FOR YOUR HOME AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE VEHICLES OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHERIFF WAS CALLED, AND DID COME TO THE SCENE, BUT THEY SAID THEY DO NOT DO REPORTS IF IT IS YOUR OWN PROPERTY THAT IS DAMAGED, ONLY IF THERE IS A SECOND PARTY INVOLVED.*AK

• 10/25/2001· POWER TRAINCrash

  AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS 30' (FEET) BEFORE IMPACTING A TREE. ONE PERSON INJURED: PELVIS FRACTURE/DISLOCATED LEG, AND LACERATED LIVER. NO CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

• 10/23/2000· TIRES

  THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15SL TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO VISIBLE CRACKS BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND THE TREAD, THE TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE (OOT-005) RECALL, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *MJS

• 10/22/2000· TIRES

  RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN TO FISHTAIL, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING SO LOW THAT THE JACK COULD NOT BE USED PROPERLY. NLM

• 10/21/2010· TIRES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EQUIPPED WITH TURBO TECH RADIAL A/SR TIRES, LINE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT NUMBER UT1TT2E4305. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD POP SOUNDED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ONTO THE CENTER LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE KNEE, BACK AND NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

• 10/21/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HORN HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THERE IS STILL NO SOUND. *AK

• 10/21/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE FUSE CONNECTED TO THE A.C. ,SIGNALS,HEAT,AND CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS " GOING OUT " TIME AND TIME AGAIN. I HAD THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED 4 TIMES AND AGAIN IT HAPPENNED . I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO ABTRAINTION HEARING, BUT I GAVE FORD 1 MORE CHANCE WITH THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SIGNALS AND DEFROSTER NOT ENABLING SAFE DRIVING. I DON'T WHAT TO DO , I TRIED CALLING FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T FIX THIS PROBLEM CORRECTLY. PLEASE HELP ME.

• 10/17/2000· TIRES

  PLEASE ADVISE RE: WILSON NC WILDERNESS AT RECALL POSSIBILTY - PER INFO AVAILABLE, THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN, WILSON MANUFACTURED TIRES ARE EVEN MORE LIKELY THAN THOSE FROM DECATUR TO EXPERIENCE TREAD SEPARATION PROBLEMS BUT AS OF YET DO NOT APPEAR TO BE RECALLED. WHY NOT? I AM DRIVING ON DOT W2... SERIAL TIRES AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO ANY DISTRIBUTION LISTS ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION ON A RECALL OF ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND FURTHER STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE WILSON LOCATION. THANK YOU. (DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

• 10/11/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  MERCURY MOUNTAINEER DRIVERS SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY BROKE. SEAT IS IN AN UN-DRIVABLE POSITION. DEALER MAINTENANCE SAYS IT WILL COST $250 PLUS LABOR AND TAXES AND FEES TO REPAIR THIS POORLY DESIGNED FORD COMPONENT. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT SHARE THIS COSTLY PREDICAMENT AND IT IS ALL DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SCHEDULED MANUFACTURERS REPAIR FOR THIS ITEM. IN A CRASH A REAR SEAT PASSENGER COULD POSSIBLY THRUST THE SEAT BACK OF THE DRIVER FORWARD CAUSING THE DRIVER SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE. *NM

• 10/10/2000· TIRES

  FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P235 75 R15 EXPERIENCED LEAKING. *SLC

• 10/09/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS

  I DID PROCEED TO THE MERCUERY DEALER FOR SEAT BELTS, OUR RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT WAS ON ORDER FOR 10 MONTHS AND MERCURY DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT . I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SEAL BEALTS NOT RETRATING AND THEY WOULD STICK, I DID FOLLOW UP WITH A LAW SUIT AND LOST BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT MY SEAT BELT WASN'T A PROBLEM. THE REAR RIGHT WAS ON ORDER FOR ALMOST 10 MONTHS AND STILL NOTHING WAS DONE .IN NOV 1998 I HAD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND THE DEALER SHIP THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT A COUPLE MORE TIMES AND NOTHING WAS DONE. WILL JUNE 2000 A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN BECAUSE UPTOWN COULD'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE MOST I WANT IS TO HAVE FORD TAKE THIS TRUCK BACK AND FORGET THAT LAWSUIT. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLEYS ARE NOT WORK . ITS A SAFTEY MATTER (DOT NUMBER: VD TIRESIZE: P225/75R75)

• 10/09/2000· TIRES

  I'VE BEEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BOTH TELL ME THAT MY TIRES AREN'T ON RECALL, BUT CAN SELL ME NEW ONES.MY TIRES ARE CRACKING AROUND THE TREADS JUST LIKE THE RECALLED ONES I'VE SEEN ON TELEVISION, BUT THEY BOTH ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT! I JUST CAN'T GO OUT AND AFFORD NEW ONES, AND THESE ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. WHO CAN I GET TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT THESE TIRES AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? THE FIRESTONE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF MY TYPE OF SPLITTING, BUT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO (HE WAS QUITE RUDE ALSO) ABOUT IT EXCEPT SELL ME NEW ONES. NOW IF THESE FIRESTONES AREN'T RECALLED AND ARE BAD, WHY WOULD I PURCHASE OTHER NON-RECALLED FIRESTONES. I HAVE RETAINED AN AIR PRESSURE OF APPROX. 34PSI SINCE I'VE OWNED IT. THESE TIRES ARE CRACKING AND ANYONE WHO WISHES TO VIEW THESE CAN JUST CONTACT ME AND I WILL MAKE THEM AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME. PLEASE CONTACT ME, I'M ABOUT AT THE END OF MY ROPE AND THESE TIRES SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED, UNLESS OF COURSE MINE ARE DEFFECTIVE ALONE, AND THEN THEY (FIRESTONE OR FORD) SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM TO..THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME..V/R, J. MATT DUFFIN (DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15) (DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

• 10/09/2000· TIRES

  TREAD IS SEPERATING FROM TIRE ON SIDE WALL, TIRES ARE NOT RECALLED TIRE DOT VDHL (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15). *ET

• 10/09/1998· TIRES

  SPARE TIRE MOUNTS FAILED THEREFORE DID NOT HOLD TIRE SECURELY ALLOWING THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE FRAME WEARING THE TIRE.

• 10/08/2004· SEATS

  THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS BROKE, BECAUSE THE BOLT HAD BROKEN. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SEAT REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT AND THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SHE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FIRST REPAIR. NOW THEY ARE REFUSING A REFUND SINCE IT HAS BEEN A YEAR. 03V281000. *JB

• 10/06/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  MY POWER DOORS WON'T UNLOCK ALONG WITH ITS REMOTE, THE KEY AND THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST MONTH. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR GOES INTO DRIVE, THE DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. *LA

• 10/03/2003· SEATS

  I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FOR A SEAT RECLINER BOLT. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THY COULD NOT REPAIR AND DO THE RECALL AS THE SEAT WOULD NOT RECLINE. THE LEVER TO RECLINE THE SEAT BROKE OFF IN MY HAND ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. I FIGURED THAT WAS THE SHABBY CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT WAS BEING REPAIRED. NOW I HAVE AN AUTO STILL IN NEED OF SAFETY REPAIR AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT. I HAVE CALL MERCURY DIRECTLY AND THEY TOLD ME ITS UP TO THE DEALER. *JB

• 10/03/2000· TIRES

  FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES(P235 75 R15) DON'T HOLD AIR PRESSURE, CONSUMER HAD TIRES SERVICED EVERY 3-5 WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS. *SLC