VehicleVerdict

2008 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer sits mid-pack among Mountaineer years: 156 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 156, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

Seats leads the complaint categories with 54 reports (35% of the total).

156

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Mountaineer years?

Mountaineer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 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, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mountaineer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mercury Mountaineer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats5435%
Electrical System4227%
Lighting106%
Transmission96%
Engine96%
Other64%
Brakes53%
Seat Belts43%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Fuel System32%
Steering32%
Body & Structure32%
Tires & Wheels21%
Speed Control21%
Airbags11%

Does the 2008 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.

07V453000TransmissionSeptember 26, 2007 · 1,497 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

IF LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTACTS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY 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.

“ WHILE DRIVING ON A LONG TRIP, WITHOUT WARNING, THE MEMORY SEATS CHANGE SEAT SETTING AND WENT BACK FULLY AS IF I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT MY ASSISTANCE. I FINALLY REALIZED THAT WHEN I TOUCHED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THE SEAT WENT BACK TO ITS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · April 6, 2010 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM AUTOMATICALLY. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE DOME LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE FRONT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 24, 2008 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 2016

“VEHICLE IS MISSING, NOW SHAKING. NEED SPARK PLUG REPLACED BUT IS STUCK. NEEDED SPECIAL TOOL/EQUIPMENT TO GET OUT. WILL BE VERY COSTLY. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE I ONLY PURCHASED IT ALMOST 2 YRS AGO. I AM REALLY CONTEMPLATING SUING!! *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 7, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. WHILE IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED OR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 28, 2016 · crash

2008 Mercury Mountaineer — common questions

Is the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mountaineer: 156 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2008 Mountaineer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (54 complaints), electrical system (42 complaints), lighting (10 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 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.