Mercury / Mountaineer / 1998
1998 Mercury Mountaineer problems
Owners have filed 298 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer with NHTSA. Tires account for 35.2% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of vehicle speed control at 13.4%.
Complaints298
Crashes29
Fires31
Injuries36
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Tires 35.2% · 105
Vehicle speed control 13.4% · 40
Electrical system 8.1% · 24
Engine and engine cooling 6.7% · 20
Latches/locks/linkages 4.4% · 13
Seats 4.0% · 12
Suspension 3.7% · 11
Structure 3.7% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 29 describe a crash, 31 describe a fire, 36 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Mercury Mountaineer in this data, 1998 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2002 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 12 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 79,500 miles.
In owners' own words
While driving on route 34, near tidewater, oregon, rear tire disintegrated and we were able to guide the vehicle to the side of the road. Luckily no-one was coming in the opposite direction at the time. We were able to secure assistance from a nearby resident who called tow truck from waldport, oregon. Tire was in shreds, and smoking when we stopped.( Dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ) Tires
Pe00-020, tire size p23575r15 dot vnhl, original equipment Mercury, Mountaineer, 1998. Driving at approximately 55 mph right front tire tread came off ,causing vehicle to be pulled off the road. Tire stayed inflated, but tread came completey off ,right down to steel belt, as though it was recap tire. Consumer took tire to firestone, and was told it had correct air pressure. Tires
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 45mph on the highway and heard a noise. Then, started losing control, car slid, and went down a hill/ rolled several times. Passenger's rear tire tread separated. Tires were firestone wilderness #at, size p23575 r15. Consumer has contacted firestone. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer sustained minor injuries. *Ak *slc Tires
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…