1997 Mercury Mountaineer Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 1% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
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.
“The contact owns a 1997 Mercury mystique (na). While driving 55 MPH, the tail light and instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. The contact noticed a smoldering smell coming from the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the head lamp switch terminal burned and the wiring harness connector was damaged. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v103000 (exterior lighting: headlights: switch). The failure and current mileages were 90,000. Updated 11/29/07”
NHTSA complaint #10207736, filed 2007-11, 90,000 miles“While driving, headlights will come off and on by themselves this has happened at night and was very dangerous. Dealer could not duplicate. Customer adds heat blows cold air. Dealer found blend door motor and blend door to be faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #8006243, filed 2002-03Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
59 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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