1997 Mercury Mountaineer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 5% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Having problems with the front stabilizer bars on my 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. I have replace them 4 times and within 6 to 8 weeks they break again. Ford had a recall and fixed them the first time and ever since then I have had trouble keeping them from breaking. Without them the truck bounces alot and hard to hold on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10011009, filed 2003-03, 133,000 miles“After getting my Mountaineer back from accident related repairs I noticed that while backing &/or turning there was a popping sound from the front of the vehicle. One of the control arms was replaced due to the accident, the other one was replaced in 9/1999 & the vehicle is making the popping sound again.”
NHTSA complaint #718461, filed 2000-02“The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. He experienced difficult steering, because the front sway bar linkage had fractured. Secondly he would intermittently smell an odor of gasoline inside of the vehicle. Thirdly during brake application the accelerator pedal would also stick. This condition would cause the vehicle to lurch forward. Lastly the main bar that held the two bumpers together had corroded. The failures were described in recalls (98v060000, 00v422000, 00v402000). …”
NHTSA complaint #10295389, filed 2009-12, 156,000 miles“Recall oo v 402 000/stabilizer bar link stub: right side stabilizer bar link stub broke. Dealer notified, and did repairs under warranty. Because of one month difference in age, this vehicle was not included in the recall eventhough the problem was the same.”
NHTSA complaint #878975, filed 2001-01“Entire vehicle will vibrate when it reaches speeds above 35 MPH. Consumer stated that a determination could not be made for reason of vibration. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #885385, filed 2001-04Related recalls
- 00V402000Nov 28, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1997, Ford Explorer 1995–1997
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 10 | 7% |
| 2002 | 36 | 10% |
| 2001 | 4 | 18% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 11 | 5% |
| 1997 | 15 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
59 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsElectrical system
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 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 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