1998 Mercury Mountaineer Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 210,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, 2% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 210,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 contact owns a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tire rods, wheel bearings, and the tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10618577, filed 2014-08, 210,000 miles“Had a wreck coming down the mountain. Emergency brake didn't work ran into a tree and damaged a mailbox (related vehicle information: model year=1998, make=Mountaineer , model=Mercury ).”
NHTSA complaint #10618525, filed 2014-08“Steering stiffens while driving, reason unknown. Vehicle was look at by a independent gas station. Power steering fluid check okay. Dealer/manufacturer were not informed at this time. Can NHTSA help in this matter since vehicle only has low mileage of 39000.”
NHTSA complaint #844186, filed 1999-08“Vehicle made loud grinding noise and steering didn't feel right. Dealer contacted and replaced rack and pinion on october 19, 1998. However, problem reoccurred. Replaced again on dec 15, 1998 due to a leak in the rack and pinion. Provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #832689, filed 1998-12Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 15% |
| 2009 | 2 | 33% |
| 2008 | 3 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 5 | 6% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 4% |
| 2002 | 23 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 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 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