1998 Mercury Mountaineer Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, 5% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 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.
“1998 Mercury Mountaineer. The drivers door will not unlock from the outside with the key and most times will not open from the inside with the latch handle. I have heard that this problem exists with most 1998 - 2001 Mercury mountaineers, ford explorers and ford rangers. In the event of an emergency such as a crash, I might not be able to get out of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10373161, filed 2010-12, 60,000 miles“I bought my vehicle about 3 years ago. It had 60,000 on the odometer. The back windshield wiper never worked, and does once in a while and the radio light never stays on. Once in a while it will show the station or the time. My drivers side door handle has always been loose. My engine light came on a year after I got it and it will not go off. It say EGR flow insufficient and yet I have replaced all of those and had the computer reset. The passenger side door does not lock unless I lock it by hand and then you can't open it. The back seats sometimes lock and other times won't. …”
NHTSA complaint #10164421, filed 2006-08, 63,000 miles“Electronic controls operated by the generic control module (wipers, rear defroster, power windows etc.) have locked up. Throttle sticks after full stop and use of cruise control and needs excessive force to move forward. Existing recalls should cover these repairs, as well as two other recalls for the corrosive hood latch, and speed control where the throttle could ice up in prolonged cold weather. …”
NHTSA complaint #10029148, filed 2003-07, 29,500 miles“Mercury Mountaineer drivers seat latch assembly broke. Seat is in an un-drivable position. Dealer maintenance says it will cost $250 plus labor and taxes and fees to repair this poorly designed ford component. I believe there are many other people that share this costly predicament and it is all due to poor design and the manufacturer knows it. There should be a recall or scheduled manufacturers repair for this item. In a crash a rear seat passenger could possibly thrust the seat back of the driver forward causing the driver serious injury or worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10093927, filed 2004-10, 105,000 miles“1998 Mercury Mountaineer. Automatic door locks will not unlock. This also causes a problem when trying to unlock the vehicle with the key(won't unlock).he handles brake when trying to get out of car. I was stuck in my car at the post office today and had to climb out of the window to get out. Thank god this was not an emergency situation and kids were not with me.”
NHTSA complaint #10028724, filed 2003-07Related recalls
- 99V164000Jun 29, 1999Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.Covers: Mercury Mountaineer 1998–1999, Ford Explorer 1998–1999
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer
95 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
5 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