NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
96 reports40,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilitySeats
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER A MOMENT, THE SEAT WENT BACK TO NORMAL POSITION AND THE LIGHTS WENT BACK OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WE FINALLY FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION, WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE THE KEY JUST GOT PUT IN THE IGNIT…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY BACK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. AFTER A MOMENT, THE SEAT WENT BACK TO NORMAL POSITION AND THE LIGHTS WENT BACK OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN, WE FINALLY FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION, WITH THE CAR ACTING LIKE THE KEY JUST GOT PUT IN THE IGNITION OR JUST PULLED OUT, AND THE SEAT MOVING ALL THE WAY BACK FOR EASIER INGRESS/EGRESS AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS COMING ON. SINCE I AM ONLY 5 FOOT 2 INCHES, WHEN THE SEAT MOVES BACK I CAN NO LONGER REACH THE PETALS, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. I HOPE THIS GETS FIXED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT, AS I HAVE A COUPLE FRIENDS WITH MOUNTAINEERS, ONE IS THE SAME YEAR, WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595676
35,000 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE IN REVERSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE IN REVERSE. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10588838
10,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10584496
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
IF I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES TO THE EASY EXIT POSITION THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON. HAPPENS ALSO IF YOU BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL OR IF YOU TOUCH THE KEY WHEN IT IS IN THE IGNITION. IT HAS HAPPENS WHILE BACKING OUT IN DRIVE. STALLED THE ENGINE TWICE. TURNING THE KEY SLIGHTLY WILL PUT THE SEAT BACK …
Read full complaint
IF I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES TO THE EASY EXIT POSITION THE DOME LIGHTS COME ON. HAPPENS ALSO IF YOU BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL OR IF YOU TOUCH THE KEY WHEN IT IS IN THE IGNITION. IT HAS HAPPENS WHILE BACKING OUT IN DRIVE. STALLED THE ENGINE TWICE. TURNING THE KEY SLIGHTLY WILL PUT THE SEAT BACK INTO THE SET POSITION. I AM ONLY 5' 5", SO WHEN THE SEAT GOES BACK WHILE I AM DRIVING, I AM MOVED TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. MECHANIC INSPECTION INDICATES IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HAS QUOTED IT AS A $203 REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565841
66,600 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Interior LightingSeats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A DEFECT IN THE SEATING SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A DEFECT IN THE SEATING SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,600. UPDATED 3/14/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10562682
72,000 miles · Dec 6, 2013
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE DOME LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10555055
80,000 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED INTO THE EASY EXIT POSITION AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE IGNITION AND SEAT SWITCH WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED INTO THE EASY EXIT POSITION AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE IGNITION AND SEAT SWITCH WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10553814
65,000 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Electrical SystemSeats
THE ISSUE STARTED OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING; THE SEAT WOULD MOVE TO THE EASY EXIT FEATURE AND THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AS THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT'S NOW MORE FREQUENT AND HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TURNING THE KEY SLIGHTLY WILL PUT IN BACK INTO THE DRIVING POSITION. THIS IS A SERIO…
Read full complaint
THE ISSUE STARTED OUT WHILE WE WERE DRIVING; THE SEAT WOULD MOVE TO THE EASY EXIT FEATURE AND THE DOME LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AS THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT'S NOW MORE FREQUENT AND HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TURNING THE KEY SLIGHTLY WILL PUT IN BACK INTO THE DRIVING POSITION. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD AS YOU'RE MOVED VERY FAR AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. SADLY, IT WILL TAKE A DEADLY ACCIDENT OCCURRING FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549519
29,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT THE SEAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO THE "EASY EXIT" POSITION. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME AS I DRIVE WITH THE SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE, BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WIFE. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET? THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. GOD FORBID THE …
Read full complaint
THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT THE SEAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO THE "EASY EXIT" POSITION. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME AS I DRIVE WITH THE SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE, BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WIFE. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET? THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. GOD FORBID THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WORSENS AND CAUSES A FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549236
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2013
Interior LightingSeatsStructure
DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK INTO EXIT POSITION AND INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED PERIODICALLY AND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. I AM VERY SHORT SO WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME REACHING THE GAS/BRAKE. I HAVE 4 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547864
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
Illustration