Ford Mountaineer Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the Ford Mountaineer (1997–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 11. Across all years, the part named most often is vehicle speed control (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Mountaineer model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 11 | 72,500 | 1 | 5 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 6 | 80,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 5 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 7 | 73,975 | 0 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Vehicle speed control6 22%
- Transmission and drivetrain5 19%
- Tires5 19%
- Suspension3 11%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)2 7.4%
- Steering2 7.4%
- Electrical system2 7.4%
- Brakes2 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1997: “Car was parked in driveway got in next morning cruise control buttons on steering wheel completely melted.Ford has a recall on this they said my model was not manufactured at this particular plant. One side melted 2 months later other side melted. I do not know if this has affected air bag. I am 84 yrs old and afraid to drive car worried fire could start while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10558146, filed 2014-01, 67,950 miles2002: “I have a 2002 Ford explorer and have had to replace wheel bearings and have seen where many others on the internet as well as people I have talked to with the exact same model SUV have had to replace their bearings as well. To me it seems if everyone has had to replace these bearing that there would be a recall. Ford motor company should be forced to replace these parts. It is not only a expensive part it is also a safety risk. I among others do not have the money to replace all those parts. My wife drives this truck everyday and I feel that it is a risk to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #10210076, filed 2007-11, 77,000 miles1999: “Air bag light illuminated and a beeping noise was heard intermittently while driving. Consumer was concerned that air bags may inadvertently deploy without warning. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that the cause of the problem maybe that the air bag control module needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10119223, filed 2005-04, 80,000 milesOther Ford models
38,897 complaintsFord Explorer
34,624 complaintsFord Escape
27,530 complaintsFord Fusion
22,441 complaintsFord Focus
22,107 complaintsFord Taurus
18,162 complaintsFord Windstar
14,152 complaintsFord Edge
14,106 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology