VehicleVerdict

2006 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer sits mid-pack among Mountaineer years: 153 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 156, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 57 reports (37% of the total).

153

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5737%
Transmission3925%
Other117%
Electrical System96%
Body & Structure75%
Seats64%
Fuel System53%
Brakes53%
Tires & Wheels43%
Speed Control32%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

05V520000Visibility & WipersNovember 9, 2005 · 199,942 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRUCK COOLING SYSTEM DIED WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE PORING OUT, STATE TROOPERS HAD TO ASSIST US. MY DAUGHTER WAS SCARED TO DEATH AND NOW REFUSES TO GET BACK IN THE TRUCK EVEN THOUGH WE GOT A NEW ENGINE. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE WE SPENT 3000 ON AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 25, 2012 · fire

“2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SLIPPED OUT OF PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND HIT MOTHER INLAWS 2005 GMC ENVOY. THIS IS ONE OF A HAND FULL OF TIMES IT HAS SLIPPED OFF PARK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND NOTHING, NOW I AM FIGHTING WITH GRAND LEDGE FORD, GRAND LEDGE, MI TO GET IT FIX OR REPLACE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 24, 2009 · crash

“THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR MESSED UP CAUSING THE TO BE STATIONARY. THE SEAT WONT MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD.THE AIR CONDITIONING ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T BLOW COLD , THE DASH AND RADIO LIGHTS BRIGHTEN AND DIM SPORADICALLY AND THE THIRD ROW SEATS DON'T WORK, THE GEAR STRIPPED OUT. ALSO, THE BUSHINGS ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 20, 2010 · crash

“THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR MESSED UP CAUSING THE TO BE STATIONARY. THE SEAT WONT MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD.THE AIR CONDITIONING ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T BLOW COLD , THE DASH AND RADIO LIGHTS BRIGHTEN AND DIM SPORADICALLY AND THE THIRD ROW SEATS DON'T WORK, THE GEAR STRIPPED OUT. ALSO, THE BUSHINGS ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 20, 2010 · crash

“I HAVE A 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WITH AUTO RUNNING BOARDS. THE RUNNING BOARDS SEEM TO HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN. BOTH HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER, THE LATEST WAS 5-5-09. TODAY WHEN OUR DAUGHTER WAS ENTERING THE PASSENGER SIDE THE RUNNING BOARD OPENED UP LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BUT CLOSED AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 9, 2009

2006 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mountaineer: 153 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (57 complaints), transmission (39 complaints), other (11 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.