VehicleVerdict

2005 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Mercury Mountaineer sits mid-pack among Mountaineer years: 113 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 157, with a single recall and one closed investigation.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 29 reports (26% of the total).

113

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2926%
Transmission2219%
Speed Control1312%
Engine1211%
Electrical System65%
Steering54%
Brakes54%
Other54%
Visibility & Wipers54%
Airbags33%
Fuel System33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Suspension11%
Seats11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2005 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.

“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND HE WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR ON A MAIN STREET AND GOT IN A ACCIDENT THE WOMAN STOPPED SHORT AND HE REAR ENDED HER. THE CAR TOTALLED UP BUCKLED UP AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATED THEY CAME OUT COMPLETELY DEFLATED. ISSUE WITH THIS CAR ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 2, 2016 · crash

“2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER V6 WITH AWD WAS PLACED IN "PARK" , ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY STRIKING MAILBOXES ACROSS STREET. *JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 3, 2006 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE LEAVING A DRIVE-THRU, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, AND SPINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 20, 2015 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES. TOOK IT TO A GARAGE, WAS TOLD IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STALLED. FOUND ELEVEN (11) SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE! PERHAPS THERE IS SOME VALIDITY TO THE COMPLAINTS. ALL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE RELATED TO SAFE DRIVING WERE RENDERED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2015

“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER AND HE WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR ON A MAIN STREET AND GOT IN A ACCIDENT THE WOMAN STOPPED SHORT AND HE REAR ENDED HER. THE CAR TOTALLED UP BUCKLED UP AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATED THEY CAME OUT COMPLETELY DEFLATED. ISSUE WITH THIS CAR ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2016 · crash

2005 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 113 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Mountaineer year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (29 complaints), transmission (22 complaints), speed control (13 complaints).

Does the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.