1998 Mercury Mountaineer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, 2% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“One of the braided stainless steel fuel lines that attaches to the engines fuel rail developed a leak. I kept smelling a strong odor of gas, but I could not find out where it was coming from. After two weeks of smelling the gas, I took it to a garage and they showed me the gas squirting from the braided hose going to the engine. I took the vehicle to the ford dealer and showed them the leak. They took the vehicle in their shop and removed the fuel lines. Because of the age of the vehicle, ford does not provide any replacement parts. I was unable to get replacement fuel lines from ford. …”
NHTSA complaint #10680325, filed 2015-02, 79,000 miles“My inertia switch was broke , 1st on july 21, 1999 and left me stranded in the middle of a busy intersection. I was told by covey dealership that my car was fixed and ready to go. I advised them I was taking my car out on the road and wanted to make sure I would not be stranded in the middle of the desert, they assured me all was fine ...nine days later, I was stranded 400 miles from home, with the same exact problem, the inertia switch. I was told that the inertia switch should never break down and it happened to me two times in nine days. …”
NHTSA complaint #712478, filed 1999-09“While driving on highway with cruise control on, had to slow down, applied brakes, but it didn't turn off the cruise control. Kept applying brakes, and cruise control finally turned off. Had vehicle serviced for hood latch recall, and let them know about cruise control problem. However, was not able to fix it because they had to order a carburetor kit.”
NHTSA complaint #859856, filed 2000-04“Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall 98v0600, fuel lines:metallic, to have repairs corrected. Dealer was unaware of recall and refused to replace parts.”
NHTSA complaint #824914, filed 1998-07Related recalls
- 98V060000Mar 19, 1998Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is…Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1997–1998, Ford Explorer 1997–1998
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 15% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer
95 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
12 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEquipment
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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