VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2001 Mercury Mountaineer is among the quieter years of the Mountaineer on NHTSA's books: 32 complaints (79% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (4), brakes (4), and visibility & wipers (3), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

32

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted504 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 399 complaints1998: 298 complaints1999: 182 complaints2000: 164 complaints2001: 32 complaints2002: 504 complaints2003: 220 complaints2004: 271 complaints2005: 113 complaints2006: 153 complaints2007: 119 complaints2008: 156 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 24 complaints
Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes413%
Suspension413%
Tires & Wheels39%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Seats39%
Body & Structure39%
Engine26%
Latches & Locks26%
Speed Control26%
Seat Belts13%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%
Other13%
Airbags13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

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 CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

03V280000Speed ControlAugust 5, 2003 · 448,005 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V281000SeatsAugust 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 27, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 12, 2007 · crash

“LEFT REAR TIRE FELT WOBBLY WHILE DRIVING UP HILL, THEN EXPLODED, SEPARATING TREAD FROM SIDEWALLS. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY IMMEDIATELY. TIRES WERE INSPECTED DURING OIL CHANGE ABOUT 2 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. POLICE RESPONDED WHILE I WAS CHANGING TIRE, BUT NO REPORT FILED (BY ME, ANYWAY).…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 11, 2001

“VEHICLE'S REAR END "KICKED OUT" COUNTER CLOCKWISE ON STEEP DOWNHILL GRADES. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SPIN OUT ACCIDENT WHERE THE REAR END SPUN OUT CLOCKWISE ON A STEEP DOWNHILL GRADE OF SNOW. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR SMALL FRAMED PEOPLE APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET 2…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 27, 2000

2001 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 32 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Mountaineer year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2001 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (4 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (3 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Mountaineer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mountaineer years to avoid are 2002, 1997, 1998, 2004. The cleanest record among Mountaineer years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.