MERCURY MOUNTAINEER · model year

2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER

32 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001MERCURYMOUNTAINEER carries 32 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 MOUNTAINEER is structure with 2 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (2) and seats (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2001 MOUNTAINEER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

32
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

32 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH2
SEATS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
SUSPENSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE1

Recalls (4)

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

03V28100005/08/2003

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

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 MA

03V28000005/08/2003

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.

07V33600003/08/2007

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Recent Complaints

20180625STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME IN BACK IS RUSTING THROUGH. THE BACK CROSS MEMBER AT THE REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED BAD. IT RATTLES ALL THE TIME.BACK SWAY BARS ARE RUSTED BAD.

Mileage: 120,000

20180625UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRAME IN BACK IS RUSTING THROUGH. THE BACK CROSS MEMBER AT THE REAR BUMPER IS RUSTED BAD. IT RATTLES ALL THE TIME.BACK SWAY BARS ARE RUSTED BAD.

Mileage: 120,000

20170708VISIBILITY/WIPER

I OPENED THE REAR GLASS AND WHILE THE GLASS WAS BEING RAISED BY THE PISTONS, I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED ALL OVER ME AND THE BACK OF THE MOUNTAINEER. I GOT GLASS IN MY FACE AND ARMS AND FEET. I HAD LACERATIONS TO MY ARMS FROM THE GLASS AND GLASS SPLINTERS IN MY FEET WHERE THE GLASS GOT INTO MY SHOES. THE GLASS DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AS WAS ONLY PART OF THE WAY UP WHEN IT SHATTERED. I DID NOT OPEN THE FULL REAR GATE, JUST THE GLASS PANEL WHICH IS UNLOCKED WITH A PUSH BUTTON TO THE RIGHT OF THE REAR GATE HANDLE LATCH. THE DAY WAS HOT AND I HAD THE AC RUNNING SO THERE WAS TEMPERATURE GRADIENT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AS I WAS INJURED AND OTHER COULD BE MORE SEVERELY INJURED BY THIS DEFECT.

Mileage: 191,500

20120618FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 130,000

20100815SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER ON MY 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 5.0 SUV. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER WORKS. CANNOT MOVE IT, ADJUST IT, ETC. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20100815SEATS

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER ON MY 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 5.0 SUV. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER WORKS. CANNOT MOVE IT, ADJUST IT, ETC. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20100316AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND WHEN THE CONTACTS DAUGHTER, SEATED IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT SECURED THE SAFETY SEAT BELT.AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG OCCURRED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE OCTOBER 9, 2009 DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUES TO WAIT FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

Mileage: 75,000

20080324VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM FORD IN AUGUST 2007 AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A PART AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR

20080228VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY COMPLAINT BUT RATHER ABOUT SERVICE RECEIVED ON RECALL OF SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FOR A 2001 MOUNTAINEER, 05S28. WE RECEIVED NOTICE IN SEP 2007 & CALLED AND SETUP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PART REPLACE ON OCT 11 2007. UPON ARRIVAL WE WERE TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE BUT THEY WOULD DISCONNECT CRUISE CONTROL. WE WAITED OVER AN HOUR TO HAVE THIS DONE WHICH WAS FRUSTRATING. PLUS FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN UPFRONT AND TOLD US WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE TWO TRIPS TO HAVE PROBLEM CORRECTED. WE TRAVELED 90 MILES ROUND TRIP. ON FEB 24TH, I SENT THE DEALERSHIP AN EMAIL CONCERNING THE STATUS OF REPLACEMENT PARTS SINCE IT HAD BEEN NEARLY 6 MONTHS SINCE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN DISABLED. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALERSHIP CALLED BACK AND SAID THAT THE PARTS HAD COME IN FRIDAY, FEB 22 AND SET UP A 2:00PM APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL NEW PARTS. WHEN WE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE MOUNTAINEER WERE NOT IN. ANOTHER 90 MILES FOR NOTHING.

20080221SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE SUV WAS SQUEAKING. JUST WITHIN A WEEK, IT BECAME EXTREMELY LOUD AND EMBARRASSING TO DRIVE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S THE BALL JOINTS WHICH IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

20070719TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER H/T, SIZE P235/75/R15 TIRES. THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE IN THE DROP DOWN MENU AT THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO HAVE DIMPLES ON THE SIDEWALLS AT ONLY 33,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD EXPLODED OFF THE TIRE AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PLACE WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED STATED THAT THEY HAVE SOLD HUNDREDS OF THESE TIRES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY FAILURES. THEY OFFERED TO GIVE HIM NEW TIRES AT $20.00 OFF SINCE HE HAD A RANDOM SET OF DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE CONTACT DID NOT ACCEPT THEIR OFFER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AS SCHEDULED AND HE JUST HAD THE TIRES ROTATED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

20070212CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED15 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HIT A PHONE BOOTH. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THERE WERE LIGHT FLURRIES FALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE SERVICE WORK DONE IN DECEMBER 2006. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 70000.*AK

Mileage: 70,000

20050302SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

DEALER INSTALLED FORD TOWING HITCH AND WIRING ASSEMBLY. I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER'S REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE WRITER INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER'S REAR LEAF SPRING WAS SAGGING , AND THAT THIS WAS COMMON FOR THIS ERA OF EXPLORERS/MOUNTAINEERS. HE INDICATED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO TOW AS-IS AND THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SPRING. WHEN AT A BODY SHOP THIS WEEK I SHOWED IT TO THE MANAGER WHO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON TO EXPLORERS/MOUNTAINEERS OF THE ERA AND HE RECOMMENDED HAVING FORD REPLACE THE SPRING UNDER RECALL OR CUSTOMER SERVICE/TECHNICAL BULLETIN, IF THERE WAS ONE. I CALLED FORD 800 NUMBER. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT OR RECALL ISSUE.*AK

Mileage: 35,245

20040729VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THIS WAS AT MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY THE 23RD OF JULY. AFTER I WENT INSIDE MY RESIDENCE, I LOOK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW TO SEE IF THE MIRROR LIGHTS WERE OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF 15-20 MINUTES, THE LIGHTS DIMMED OFF. AT 3 AM, I WENT OUT AGAIN TO THE CAR, TO RUN AN ERRAND, AND USING THE KEYFOB UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND GOT IN MY CAR. STARTING THE IGNITION, THE DOOR AJAR MESSAGE APPEARRED ON THE CONSOLE. ALSO I NOTICE THE DOME LIGHT WAS ON. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I GOT OUT THE CAR AND WALKED AROUND TO OPEN/CLOSE THE OTHER THREE DOORS, NOT THE GATE. BEING SATISFIED THAT THE OTHER DOORS WERE CLOSE, WENT BACK TO THE DRIVER SIDE GOT IN AND CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING WAS STILL LIT, AS WELL AS, THE DOME LIGHT. THINKING THAT A SHORT HAD OCCURRED IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, IT WAS MINIMAL. AFTER PULLING OFF AND GOING A DISTANCE OF 50 FEET IN THE COMPLEX RESIDENCE, I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND GOT OUT TO CHECK THE DOORS ONCE MORE, THIS TIME INCLUDING THE LIFTGATE. I UN

20040729INTERIOR LIGHTING

THIS WAS AT MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY THE 23RD OF JULY. AFTER I WENT INSIDE MY RESIDENCE, I LOOK OUTSIDE THE WINDOW TO SEE IF THE MIRROR LIGHTS WERE OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF 15-20 MINUTES, THE LIGHTS DIMMED OFF. AT 3 AM, I WENT OUT AGAIN TO THE CAR, TO RUN AN ERRAND, AND USING THE KEYFOB UNLOCK THE DOORS, AND GOT IN MY CAR. STARTING THE IGNITION, THE DOOR AJAR MESSAGE APPEARRED ON THE CONSOLE. ALSO I NOTICE THE DOME LIGHT WAS ON. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I GOT OUT THE CAR AND WALKED AROUND TO OPEN/CLOSE THE OTHER THREE DOORS, NOT THE GATE. BEING SATISFIED THAT THE OTHER DOORS WERE CLOSE, WENT BACK TO THE DRIVER SIDE GOT IN AND CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING WAS STILL LIT, AS WELL AS, THE DOME LIGHT. THINKING THAT A SHORT HAD OCCURRED IN THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, IT WAS MINIMAL. AFTER PULLING OFF AND GOING A DISTANCE OF 50 FEET IN THE COMPLEX RESIDENCE, I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND GOT OUT TO CHECK THE DOORS ONCE MORE, THIS TIME INCLUDING THE LIFTGATE. I UN

20040121TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

SPARE TIRE MOUNTED UNDER THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE FELL OFF. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

20031118SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED AND DESTROYED BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Mileage: 28,000

20031118SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED AND DESTROYED BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Mileage: 28,000

20031015SUSPENSION

PROBLEMS WITH RADIO, PAINT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER.*MR THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE ENGINE AREA, WHEN THE NOISE STOPPED, A CLOUD OF BLACK EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TS THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL, BECAUSE THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE HAD ACTIVATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN. *JB

Mileage: 500

20031015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PROBLEMS WITH RADIO, PAINT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER.*MR THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE ENGINE AREA, WHEN THE NOISE STOPPED, A CLOUD OF BLACK EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TS THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL, BECAUSE THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE HAD ACTIVATED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN. *JB

Mileage: 500

Compare 2001MERCURYMOUNTAINEER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER have?
The 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER has 32 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER?
Yes, the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER?
The most-complained component for the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER is STRUCTURE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH and SEATS.
Is the 2001 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.