IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MY SEAT WILL DECIDE TO MOVE ON ITS OWN AND PULL ME AWAY FROM THE PEDALS ALSO THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME VERY DANGEROUS NOW MY CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH I BELIEVE. *TR
2008 Mercury Mountaineer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 117.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mountaineer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
1125–50K
2350–75K
1375–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
81 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seats. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY GOES BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON...THIS IS GONNA CAUSE AN ACCIDENT CUZ WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK THE MEMORY KEY FOR THE SEAT POSITION DOESNT WORK UNTIL U TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, ONCE THE SEAT GOES BACK I CANT REACH THE BREAK OR PEDDLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS SITUATIO…
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WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY GOES BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON...THIS IS GONNA CAUSE AN ACCIDENT CUZ WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK THE MEMORY KEY FOR THE SEAT POSITION DOESNT WORK UNTIL U TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, ONCE THE SEAT GOES BACK I CANT REACH THE BREAK OR PEDDLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND ISEE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE? IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY..SOEMTIME WHEN U FIRST START IT BUT MOSTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED OUT OF POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED OUT OF POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
EASY ENTRY/EXIT FEATURE. THIS FEATURE WILL ENABLE WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I AM NOT ABLE TO REACH MY GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC PATTERN.
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT WILL MOVE TO THE "OPEN DOOR POSITION" CAUSING MY FEET TO BE TOO FAR FROM THE PEDALS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
DEFECTIVE IGNITION. WHEN DRIVING, IF YOU BUMP THE KEY (OR ATTACHED KEYCHAIN), ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON, AND THE DRIVERS SEAT WILL RETRACT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE "EASY ENTRY/EXIT" POSITION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SHORTER PERSON TO REACH THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES DURING THIS EVENT, THE CAR WILL STALL. T…
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DEFECTIVE IGNITION. WHEN DRIVING, IF YOU BUMP THE KEY (OR ATTACHED KEYCHAIN), ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL COME ON, AND THE DRIVERS SEAT WILL RETRACT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE "EASY ENTRY/EXIT" POSITION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SHORTER PERSON TO REACH THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. SOMETIMES DURING THIS EVENT, THE CAR WILL STALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET?!? PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR A NEW IGNITION TUMBLER, BUT BEFORE LONG IT STARTS HAPPENING TO THE REPLACEMENT TUMBLER AS WELL. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/MERCURY/MOUNTAINEER/2008/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS.SHTML
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50 - 65 MILES PER HOUR THE ELECTRIC DRIVER SEAT WILL MOVE BACK INTO THE OPEN DOOR PARK POSITION AND THE INSIDE LIGHTS WILL COME ON. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE OCTOBER 2014. THERE IS NO SET PATTERN, IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND A LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM, THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY CRASHED AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CAR DIED AND IT LITERALLY TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NOW EVEN WITH A REPLACED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR IT WILL ONLY START WITH A …
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND A LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID CHECK THE CHARGING SYSTEM, THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY CRASHED AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CAR DIED AND IT LITERALLY TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NOW EVEN WITH A REPLACED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR IT WILL ONLY START WITH A JUMP AND CONTINUES TO SAY THE CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHAT IF I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN (WITH NO REDUCTION OF SPEED) THE VEHICLE JUST TURNED OFF AND STOPPED. NO ELECTRIC MEANT NO POWERSTEERING, NO ABS, NO AIR BAG SENSORS ETC... VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL BLOGS AND SITES AND I AM FINDING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME CHARGING SYSTEM ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THE COMPANY TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
THE FIRST TIME THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED WAS THE FIRST DAY I DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TUMBLER, BUT 1 1/2 YEARS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKES, AND MY KNEE BRUSHED ALONG THE KEY FOB DANGLING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SEATS THEN AUTOMATICALLY RETRAC…
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THE FIRST TIME THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED WAS THE FIRST DAY I DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TUMBLER, BUT 1 1/2 YEARS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKES, AND MY KNEE BRUSHED ALONG THE KEY FOB DANGLING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SEATS THEN AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTED TO THE REAR POSITION. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS--PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS NOT ONLY WHEN MOVING MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE, BUT ANYTIME. WHILE I REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH, I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES AND IF I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AS I AM ONLY 5'5". SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS ONLY GOOD FOR ONE YEAR, IT WILL NOW COST ANOTHER $400 FOR A NEW TUMBLER, BUT I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE THE TUMBLER IS REPLACED EVERY 1 1/2 YEARS OR EVER FOR THAT MATTER. AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR A FATAL ACCIDENT WHERE EITHER MYSELF OR MY CHILDREN ARE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED? *TR
WHILE DRIVING, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKES, AND MY KNEE BRUSHED ALONG THE KEY FOB DANGLING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SEATS THEN AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTED TO THE REAR POSITION. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED FOUR TIMES, AND SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS--PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN MOVING MY FOOT TO T…
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WHILE DRIVING, I MOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR TO THE BRAKES, AND MY KNEE BRUSHED ALONG THE KEY FOB DANGLING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SEATS THEN AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTED TO THE REAR POSITION. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED FOUR TIMES, AND SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS--PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN MOVING MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE. WHILE I REACTED QUICKLY ENOUGH IN THESE NORMAL INCIDENTS, IF I WAS BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, I DOUBT I'D BE SO LUCKY. *TR
Official recalls
107V453000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
Sep 26, 2007
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO