1998 Mercury Mountaineer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 236 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,568miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, 4% of the 236 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,568 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.
“While driving, the vehicle began to drive rough and make noises. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed fluid leaking under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer which determined that the transmission casing had a large hole. The transmission must be replaced. Please provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10050042, filed 2003-12, 129,000 miles“1998 Mercury Mountaineer transmission repairs. There was no third gear and the transmission had to be replaced. Engine light stayed on and the EGR sensor had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10025095, filed 2003-06, 33,568 miles“After taking the key out of the ignition, vehicle jumped out of park and started rolling backwards 30' (feet) before impacting a tree. One person injured: pelvis fracture/dislocated leg, and lacerated liver. No cause for this problem has been determined. Please provide any additional information / attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #898189, filed 2001-10“Consumer called complaining that front wheel axle broke while driving at 65 MPH. Manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call . However, dealer was contacted, and stated that the vehicle had no warranty, and the consumer would have to pay for the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10040420, filed 2003-09“This report is about an ongoing problem with my Mercury Mountaineer that first occurred in november, 1998, and continues intermittently to this day. Usually in temperatues under 55 degrees, a high pitched whistle/squeal sound can be heard from the body front, both right and left. Ford is aware of this problem, and has addressed it in their TSB 5506, NHTSA item #sb605189. The cause is apparently the front axle seal(s), and ford's solution is temporary, to lubricate the affected area. …”
NHTSA complaint #716663, filed 1999-12Related service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 15% |
| 2008 | 9 | 9% |
| 2007 | 25 | 31% |
| 2006 | 39 | 33% |
| 2005 | 19 | 23% |
| 2004 | 64 | 30% |
| 2003 | 42 | 28% |
| 2002 | 144 | 39% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 15 | 12% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 9 | 4% |
| 1997 | 8 | 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 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