1997 Mercury Mountaineer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 4%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 4% of the 328 complaints for this model year. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Problem mentioned on visit in december 01. My son and I experienced carbon monoxide poisoning on a trip to chicago 3/15/02. There are many similar vehicles in the rural area in which I live. I feel a service alert should be sent for similar age make vehicles that come in for service. Especially if they mention a tick in the engine. Have there been other reports of cracked EGR tubes? Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #759913, filed 2002-03“We really don't have any information regarding the incident. The car had been parked outside for approximately 4 hours, when upon waking at around 3:50 am on sunday morning, I smelled a strange odor emanating from somewhere in the house. As I investigated, I soon found out that the smell was not in the house, but outside, and that's when I found my car ablaze. The fire department had already been called by the time I realized what it was, and the fire was put out. No police came, and no report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252041, filed 2008-12“I don't know that if this is the right place I need to be, but my SUV has quite a bit of rust underneath and in the wheels, I can scratch some off with chipping coming off, I have met with the dealership and the ford rep, they say I have surface rust and it won't rust threw the steel, in my life time, and I am unease about that, my seat belts have a smell to them and I feel like it has had some water damaged to it, but I do not feel safe in it, they have had to replace gaskets, oil pan, crankshaft rear seal, and rear main seal, and it is in the shop now for a poping sound. …”
NHTSA complaint #720826, filed 2000-03“If driving through a puddle right front wheel splashes water onto serpetine belt, resulting in temporary loss of power steering control/ alternator charge, and air conditioning. Vehicle has been checked by dealer, who advised consumer that since there was no recall it was not their problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8013704, filed 2002-07“Vehicle loses power steering completey for up to 1 minute after going through puddles of water. Loss of steering at speed is very dangerous. Dealer maintenance personnel claim this is ford-wide problem and there is no known fix. I believe this problem could result in severe accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #715622, filed 1999-12Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 37% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 33 | 9% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 8% |
| 1997 | 14 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
59 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology