Ford Mountaineer Problems by Year
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Ford Mountaineer, across 8 model years (1997–2004). The 2002 model year has the most complaints (11). The most reported problem area overall is vehicle speed control.
Ford Mountaineer years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Mountaineer year: 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2002 Mountaineer: 11 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 Mountaineer: 7 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Mountaineer: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2001 Mountaineer: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2000 Mountaineer: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2003 Mountaineer: 3 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Mountaineer problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford Mountaineer model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Mountaineer | 4 | 0 | — | Structure | |
| 2003 Mountaineer | 3 | 1 | — | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 2002 Mountaineer | 11 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 Mountaineer | 1 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 2000 Mountaineer | 2 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1999 Mountaineer | 6 | 0 | — | Tires | |
| 1998 Mountaineer | 5 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 Mountaineer | 7 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Mountaineer years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2002 (11) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Mountaineer year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Mountaineer?
Vehicle Speed Control, with 7 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Mountaineer have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.