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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Seats complaints

54 reports
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57,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Seats

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED GOING BACK. THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY. IT WILL GO SO FAR BACK THAT I CANNOT REACH BRAKES OR GAS PEDALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472892

59,000 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT SLID FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE AS IF AS IF A DOOR HAD OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT SLID FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE AS IF AS IF A DOOR HAD OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471884

69,800 miles · Aug 9, 2012
Seats

THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK WHILE BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SAME AS IF I HAD TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAS REMOVING THE KEY. A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE BRAKING. I REALIZED IT WAS HAPPENING WHILE BRAKING BECAUSE WHEN MY LEG MOVED TOWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY CHAIN, THUS IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WI…

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THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK WHILE BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC SAME AS IF I HAD TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAS REMOVING THE KEY. A FEW MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE BRAKING. I REALIZED IT WAS HAPPENING WHILE BRAKING BECAUSE WHEN MY LEG MOVED TOWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY KNEE TOUCHED THE KEY CHAIN, THUS IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, NOT THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE SHOP AND THEY ADVISED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS AS THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY BULLETINS FROM FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I AM TAKING IT TO THEIR SHOP AND HOPE THAT THEY CAN RE-CREATED THE PROBLEM AS THEY ADVISED THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN TRY AND FIND SOMETHING TO FIX AS THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION BASED ON MY INFORMATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469931

10,000 miles · Jul 20, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SELLING DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, CROFT (WILLIAM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SELLING DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, CROFT (WILLIAMS) SAYRE, PA DISCOVERED A LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/30/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10466750

60,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Electrical SystemSeats

DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK TO THE "EASY EXIT" POSITION WHILE DRIVING! HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SEAT UP WITH THE SIDE CONTROLS IN ORDER TO REACH THE PEDALS AGAIN. COULD NOT REACH THE BRAKE! DEALER REPLACED IGNITION KEY TUMBLER, SAME PROBLEM DEALER REPLACED IGNITION ELECTRICAL SWITCH, SOLUTION PENDING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL A…

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DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK TO THE "EASY EXIT" POSITION WHILE DRIVING! HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SEAT UP WITH THE SIDE CONTROLS IN ORDER TO REACH THE PEDALS AGAIN. COULD NOT REACH THE BRAKE! DEALER REPLACED IGNITION KEY TUMBLER, SAME PROBLEM DEALER REPLACED IGNITION ELECTRICAL SWITCH, SOLUTION PENDING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464737

24,323 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Electrical SystemSeatsCrash

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 ORIGINAL SETTING. WHEN THIS O…

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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 ORIGINAL SETTING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED I WAS UNABLE TO REACH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. IF THIS HAPPENED AT A TIME THAT I NEEDED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR ME TO STOP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION. ON 6/6/2012 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN (MILEAGE 60774), THIS TIME I STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, IT WAS A GOOD THING IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC, AND NEITHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION AGAIN. THANK GOD ALL REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TWICE. MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT AT 75000, WHAT IF IT HAPPENS A THIRD TIME, WHAT WILL MY COST THEN???? OR WHAT IF IT HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I NEED TO STOP?? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462355

51,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Electrical SystemSeats

OUR 2008 MOUNTAINEER IS EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS WITH SETTINGS MEMORY. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AUTOMATICALLY GLIDES IN REVERSE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT TO ALLOW FOR MORE ROOM TO EXIT THE CAR. WHEN THE SEAT GLIDES BACKWARDS, THE STEP BAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AUTOMAT…

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OUR 2008 MOUNTAINEER IS EQUIPPED WITH POWER SEATS WITH SETTINGS MEMORY. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AUTOMATICALLY GLIDES IN REVERSE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT TO ALLOW FOR MORE ROOM TO EXIT THE CAR. WHEN THE SEAT GLIDES BACKWARDS, THE STEP BAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY DROPS DOWN AND OUTWARD. FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, THE DRIVER'S SEAT (RANDOMLY) AUTOMATICALLY GLIDES BACKWARDS TO FULLEST EXTENT AND THE STEP BAR AUTOMATICALLY DROPS DOWN AS THOUGH THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND ONE OF THE DOORS HAS BEEN OPENED. IT HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY AT LEAST ONCE. IT HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN A 4 MINUTE TIME PERIOD THE OTHER DAY. EACH TIME IT IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME WAS WHEN I WAS STARTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. I ENDED UP 2' OVER IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. LUCKILY, NO CARS WERE NEAR. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460109

26,000 miles · Nov 26, 2011
Seats

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON AND THE POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BACK. I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKES AND THIS NEARLY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER MOUNTAINEERS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THA…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON AND THE POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BACK. I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKES AND THIS NEARLY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER MOUNTAINEERS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THANKSGIVING 2011 AND I WILL BE CALLING FORD ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10437300

25,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS AFFECTING THE ELECTRONIC FEATURE ON THE SEAT AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10437270

52,345 miles · Jun 15, 2011
SeatsVisibility

SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS. MOVES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION; DOESN'T MOVE WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO; SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN. SECONDLY, REAR WINDOW POPS OPEN IF CAR IS UNLOCKED. WILL ONLY REMAIN CLOSED WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED. THIRDLY, REAR WIPER HAS QUI…

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SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS. MOVES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION; DOESN'T MOVE WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO; SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN. SECONDLY, REAR WINDOW POPS OPEN IF CAR IS UNLOCKED. WILL ONLY REMAIN CLOSED WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED. THIRDLY, REAR WIPER HAS QUIT WORKING. REALLY STRANGE SINCE IT IS RARELY USED IN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406943

Official recalls

1

07V453000 · 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

1

PE08060 · 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