1997 Mercury Mountaineer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 328 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, 3% of the 328 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 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 hot/cold adjustment on the heater of my 1997 Mercury Mountaineer is inoperative, which makes it difficult to drive when the windshield is fogged, since the defogger blows only cold air. The problem, apparently strikes all 95-99 explorer/mountaineers eventually, due to poor design of the heat blend door. The estimate from the dealer, who has done many, was over $200 for the redesigned part, and over $800 labor to install.”
NHTSA complaint #10155042, filed 2006-04, 95,000 miles“The plastic air blend door, which is inside the heater air plenum, broke when the vehicle was just outside of warranty. Two differenet dealers quoted me $700-$800 to make the repair since it involves removing the dash. I cannot bring myself to pay that much money just to have heat in the car, but it is a safety hazard in winter weather since I cannot keep the windshield defrosted.”
NHTSA complaint #756990, filed 2002-01“Potential safety hazard Mercury Mountaineer 1997 I view windshield wiper failure as a serious problem. I know for a fact that ford has replaced a particular part 4 times due to part failure. I have all of these part numbers if needed but it don't want to take the time to type them in here if not wanted. Every time I go to have this problem fixed it cost over $100 in labor alone. Please look into this matter. When it is raining etc. And your wipers fail it is no piece of cake !!!”
NHTSA complaint #758674, filed 2002-02“I bought this Mercury in oct 98 .it is now jan of 99 and I have had quite a few problems .a warrenty came with this car, and we have been there twice ;one for the transfer case, and switch for the power seat , leak on rear hatch window. Now im returning it for throttle malfunction. I almost killed my children and myself .I made my children jump out of the car while doing aprox . 5 miles an hour. The more I stepped on the brakes the more the engine idled faster . I dont know anything about cars I am a housewife. …”
NHTSA complaint #701881, filed 1999-01“Blend air door square drive broken causing severe discomfort in summer and improper defroster operation during adverse weather conditions. Master techs in area indicate problem occures with excess frequency on various model and years of ford trucks. They further indicate the failure rate is extremely excessive compared to all other makes and models.”
NHTSA complaint #10192815, filed 2007-06Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 33 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 14% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 22 | 15% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 11 | 3% |
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 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 30, 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