NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Mercury Mountaineer Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 96 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Mercury Mountaineer owner complaints

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer, describing incidents dated November 30, 2007 to September 3, 2023.

Most-cited components

Seats 54 complaints
Electrical System 39 complaints
Engine 9 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Exterior Lighting 6 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints

Of the 96 complaints on file, 3 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11684759 · Filed September 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The…
ODI #11437666 · Filed October 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took…
ODI #11365014 · Filed October 18, 2020
SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2009, ENGINE KILLS ANYTIME, MOSTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL NOT PRESSED. PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS, SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, OR LETTING OFF GAS ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE JUST KILLS. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A JOLT. I HAVE TO PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. RECORDS OF ALL VISITS…

Read all 96 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Mercury Mountaineer mileage at failure

78 of the 96 complaints on file for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Seats	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–85,000 miles	Based on 48 complaints
Electrical System	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–90,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE08-060: TIRE VALVE CRACKING
Closed April 9, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS

NHTSA #07E104000 · Visibility — Glass, Side/Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2007 · SAFELITE FULFILLMENT, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,657 vehicles

Owners notified January 15, 2008

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS, LTD. (DOT-430) AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TORQUE

NHTSA #07V453000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Cooling Unit and Lines · NHTSA notice

Reported September 26, 2007 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,497 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 07S56 · Owners notified August 30, 2007 · Vehicles built July 23, 2007 – August 14, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 07S56.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

23% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

96 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11684759

Incident: September 3, 2023 · Filed: September 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The contact stated that the gear shifter intermittently failed to move to the intended position. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle, and the fuel level was lowered sooner than normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was not provided. The contact stated that there was a code for an EVAP failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Peoria Ford (9130 W Bell Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382) however, the contact was not provided the cause for the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Steering

ODI #11437666

Incident: January 1, 2021 · Filed: October 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was able to remove the key after disconnecting the battery. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the steering column lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,782.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11365014

Incident: January 1, 2011 · Filed: October 18, 2020

SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2009, ENGINE KILLS ANYTIME, MOSTLY WHEN GAS PEDAL NOT PRESSED. PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOTS, SITTING AT RED LIGHTS, OR LETTING OFF GAS ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE JUST KILLS. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A JOLT. I HAVE TO PUT THE SHIFT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. RECORDS OF ALL VISITS FOR THE PROBLEM AT DEALERSHIP. NEVER COULD SOLVE PROBLEM, BUT TOO UNSAFE TO DONATE TO MY GRANDSON. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO HIM BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT WAS NEVER FOUND, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO. CANNOT CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SEALED. I DO HAVE SOME FLUID STAINS ON MY DRIVEWAY. FOR YEARS I'VE REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPECIFIED THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT KILLS ANYTIME. MAY NOT DIE FOR A WEEK, OR TOMORROW, OR EVEN A MONTH. NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. FEELS LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IF I'M SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH MOTOR RUNNING, SOMETIMES IT JUST KILLS. IT'S THE SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND STREETS TO RESTART WHILE MOVING I'M WORRIED ABOUT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS CLAIM THEY FIXED IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME DIRECTION. ALL THE SHOPS I'VE GONE TO ARE REPUTABLE BUSINESSES. ONE MECHANIC SAID THE ELECTRONIC BRAIN (COMPUTER BOX) MIGHT BE CAUSING AND SAID TO SEND IT TO MERCURY FOR RECALCULATION. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. MOST OF THE READ OUTS ARE EPA RELATED.

Seat Belts

ODI #11351000

Incident: June 6, 2020 · Filed: August 24, 2020

ON A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY HOOKED IN IT COMES LOSE.

Seat Belts

ODI #11348446

Incident: August 6, 2020 · Filed: August 10, 2020

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WITH NOT STAY LOCKED IN.

Seat Belts

ODI #11344312

Incident: August 6, 2020 · Filed: August 10, 2020

SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILS TO SAY HOOKED INTO THE SEAT BELT CLIP-IN

Electrical System

ODI #11326133

Incident: October 18, 2017 · Filed: May 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO MARITIME FORD (1305 FRANKLIN ST, MANITOWOC, WI 54220) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEEDED TO BE PLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *DT*JB

Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #11323974

Incident: May 9, 2020 · Filed: May 9, 2020

CAR WHEN IDLE SHUTS OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC LOCKING BREAK AN STEERING WHEEL CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THANK GOD I WAS CLOSE TO EMERGENCY EXIT CAR SHUTOFF NOT ALLOWING TO BRAKE HAD TO PRESS EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

Power Train; Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #11316784

Incident: March 1, 2011 · Filed: March 7, 2020

AT 28000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ERRATIC, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM AND COVERED UP THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANT ENDED AND THE BATTERY FAILED AT WHICH TIME THE CAR REVERTED BACK TO DEFAULT AND CONTINUED TO BUCK AND JERK UNTIL THE CAR REACHED HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED DURING OPERATION ON THE HIGHWAY ON 3/5/20. THE ABS MODULE JUST FAILED DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ALSO THE CAR INDICATED THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE IN GOOD OPERATIONAL CONDITION. THIS ERROR COMES AND GOES CONSTANTLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

Electrical System; Seats

ODI #11282163

Incident: September 9, 2019 · Filed: November 25, 2019

DRIVER SEAT ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT WILL MOVE ITSELF BACKWARDS WHILE CAR IS MOVING. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO THIS PROBLEM, IT IS RANDOM.

Other Mercury Mountaineer model years

Check your 2008 Mercury Mountaineer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Mountaineer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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