VehicleVerdict

2004 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 271 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Mountaineer year — the 2004 model ranks #4 of 15 Mountaineer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 85 reports (31% of the total).

271

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure8531%
Transmission6725%
Speed Control218%
Engine207%
Electrical System176%
Airbags124%
Other114%
Suspension73%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Brakes52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Steering52%
Latches & Locks41%
Fuel System21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seat Belts10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E104000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 2007 · 1,657 units

Defect

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy

SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE A USED 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I PURCHASED IN 12/2008 IT HAD 53,000 MILES. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES,BRAKE PADS,FLUID CHANGES, AND 60,000-MILE SERVICE PACKAGE. I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES I HAVE ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. FRONT/REAR BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 24, 2010 · crash

“TRANSFER CASE DEFECT CAUSES STEERING DIFFICULTY ON SLOW TURNS. TRANSMISSION ISSUE REPORTED TO FORD IN 2005 AT 38,000 MILES. AGAIN AT 51,000. I OPTED FOR AN AAMCO TRANSMISSION WHEN FORD REFUSED TO COVER. NOW TRANSFER CASE IS MAKING DRIVING DANGEROUS. TURNING ABILITY GREATLY REDUCED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 9, 2011 · crash

“VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: WHILE PREPARING TO BACK UP, BEFORE SHIFTING, VEHICLE JUMPED, AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP AND ENGINE WAS ROARING AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE OVER AN EMBANKMENT, THROUGH A LAWN, HIT A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 29, 2006 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 15, 2011 · fire

“I HAVE A USED 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I PURCHASED IN 12/2008 IT HAD 53,000 MILES. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE OIL CHANGES,BRAKE PADS,FLUID CHANGES, AND 60,000-MILE SERVICE PACKAGE. I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES I HAVE ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. FRONT/REAR BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 24, 2010 · crash

2004 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 271 complaints put the 2004 model at #4 of 15 Mountaineer years. It is one of the Mountaineer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (85 complaints), transmission (67 complaints), speed control (21 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.