1997 Mercury Mountaineer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 18%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 18% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,500 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1997 Mercury Mountaineer (that I purchased feb 2010) is experiencing the same acceleration problems as described in the 4.0 sohc campaign # 00v422000 and action # ea99001. I have to apply extra acceleration to make the car drive when engine is cold . After it warms up, or if I start the engine and allow it to warm up before driving, I do not have that problem. Has there been any other v8 complaints?”
NHTSA complaint #10334330, filed 2010-06, 149,000 miles“Dt: 1997 Mercury Mountaineer. I the consumer bought the car used, and when using the cruise control for the first time it would not disengage. It was at 70 MPH and it accelerated to 85 MPH. To stop vehicle had to put it into neutral and turn the key off. Then vehicle coasted until it would stop. Also had to pump the brakes many times to stop. There was no crash. Had the car looked at by a mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #10134358, filed 2005-08, 94,343 miles“While driving 50 MPH the consumer felt something under h is foot snap. The consumer lost speed, pulled over to the side of the road, to discover the bolt holding the accelerator pedal had fallen off. The consumer was able to drive the vehicle in order to have the repair done.”
NHTSA complaint #10108573, filed 2005-02, 101,000 miles“While completely stopped, the engine roared and the vehicle lunged into oncoming traffic hitting another vehicle. The dealer repaired the damages to the vehicle but was not able to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10052086, filed 2004-02, 46,289 miles“When I use the cruise control and then turn it off I can't seem to push my gas pedal when you are driving the vehicle. I have to keep putting extreme pressure on the accelerator pedal until something breaks or pops and then it allows me to push the pedal. I keep having problems with smoke coming from on top of the steering column like something is burning when you are driving, now I have electrical problems to where my horn will not work anymore. I keep having problems with the front frame of the SUV. …”
NHTSA complaint #10904769, filed 2016-09Related recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1997, 2002, Ford E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
- 00V422000Dec 27, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or…Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1997–1998, Ford Explorer 1997–1998
- 97V074000Apr 30, 1997Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa…Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1996–1997, Ford Explorer 1996–1997
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 | 31% |
| 2009 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 9% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 13 | 16% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 9 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 2 | 9% |
| 2000 | 28 | 23% |
| 1999 | 11 | 7% |
| 1998 | 36 | 15% |
| 1997 | 59 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer
138 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 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