1999 Mercury Mountaineer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 15%of 151 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the visibility of the 1999 Mercury Mountaineer, 15% of the 151 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front wipers stop working. This occurs abruptly without regard to weather conditions, time the car is running, etc. I have replaced both the motor and the switch. The wipers still fail. This is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10286967, filed 2009-10, 70,000 miles“Brakes failed seven times within 70,000 miles. An independent mechanic determined that the gem control module was the problem. When the gem control module malfunctioned, the brakes failed, and the 4-wheel drive didn't operate. Also, windshield wipers operated intermittently.”
NHTSA complaint #10050127, filed 2003-12, 70,000 miles“Vehicle was being driven in heavy rain in dark early morning hours on I-94 in se michigan. When passing a tractor trailer, the windshield wipers (front and rear) spontaneously failed. Vehicle was driven off at next exit, and wipers would not operate. Driven back to dealer in dry daylight hours for warranty fix. Nothing conclusive found, then I read about your investigation in the newspapaer on 8/20/99.”
NHTSA complaint #710315, filed 1999-08“Shortly after car was purchased, the windshield wipers started to go on when they weren't prompted to do so. Channel 7 news did a report on this and called them phantom wipers. The problem they reported is the exact problem I am having. Also, when it rains heavily and I need the fast wiper speed, only the slow one works even when I put it on for the fast speed. This is very distracting. The wipers go on and off at any time - there is no consistency to when this happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #712359, filed 1999-09“The windshield wipers come on spontaneously. They do not operate at high speed unless I activate my turn signal which will activate the high speed (but not always). A right hand turn (with or without turn signal) seems to trigger them to come on (but not always). When they do come on spontaneously, they will be in the pause mode at different intervals. They stop operating just as spontaneously. They have come on at times even before I leave my driveway, sometimes after 20 miles or more, but usually within 1-2 miles of driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #708613, filed 1999-07Related service bulletins
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
Visibility (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 1999 Mercury Mountaineer
51 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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