What year Mercury Mountaineer should I avoid?

The 2006 and 2008 Mountaineer are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80. The 2007 model is rated Caution with a complaint index of 60.

What is the best year for the Mercury Mountaineer?

The 2010 Mountaineer is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of 20 and only 13 total complaints.

Does the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer have transmission problems?

Yes. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 33% of the 2006 model's complaints, including reports of the vehicle slipping out of park, with a median failure mileage of 53,000.

Are the 2005 and 2009 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?

Both are rated Good based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, though 2009's verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are less complete.

Mercury Mountaineer Best and Worst Years (2005–2010)

Avoid the 2006 and 2008 Mercury Mountaineer, which have the highest complaint index scores (100 and 80) among the years covered. The 2010 model is the Best year with a complaint index of just 20, while 2005 and 2009 are rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2008 Best 2010

Model years: 6; 2005–2010
NHTSA complaints: 395
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 18
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Structure & Body

Mountaineer Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercury Mountaineer problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	40	82	6	0	0	Structure & Body	15	—
2006	Avoid	100	117	6	2	1	Engine	15	—
2007	Caution	60	81	3	0	0	Structure & Body	15	—
2008	Avoid	80	96	3	0	1	Structure & Body	15.5	—
2009	Good	0	6	0	0	0	Steering	16	—
2010	Best	20	13	0	0	1	Engine	16	—

Mountaineer years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Mercury Mountaineer Index 100 · 117 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2006 Mountaineer has the highest complaint index of all years, at 100, with 117 total complaints. Half of its complaints involve the engine, with a median failure mileage of 58,849 overall; engine-specific failures showed a median mileage of 57,650. Transmission and powertrain problems made up 33% of complaints, including reports of vehicles slipping out of park and failing to shift properly, with a median mileage of 53,000. NHTSA also lists one recall for this year, covering the windshield wiper motor, which may have been produced without grease on the output shaft gear.

2006 engine problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →

2008 Mercury Mountaineer Index 80 · 96 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2008 Mountaineer has a complaint index of 80, the second-highest among the years covered, with 96 total complaints. Structure and body issues account for 57% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 65,000, while electrical system problems make up 46%, with a median mileage of 65,800. Owners described dome lights and memory seats behaving unpredictably. NHTSA lists one recall for this year involving the transmission oil cooler line fitting bolt, which may not have been sufficiently torqued during assembly.

2008 structure & body problems →2008 electrical system problems →

Most common Mercury Mountaineer problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Structure & Body129 (33%)
Engine115 (29%)
Transmission & Powertrain94 (24%)
Electrical System80 (20%)
Other31 (8%)
Brakes23 (6%)
Steering18 (5%)
Fuel System14 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (4%)
Visibility & Wipers10 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Mercury Mountaineer should I avoid?: The 2006 and 2008 Mountaineer are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80. The 2007 model is rated Caution with a complaint index of 60.
What is the best year for the Mercury Mountaineer?: The 2010 Mountaineer is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of 20 and only 13 total complaints.
Does the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer have transmission problems?: Yes. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 33% of the 2006 model's complaints, including reports of the vehicle slipping out of park, with a median failure mileage of 53,000.
Are the 2005 and 2009 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?: Both are rated Good based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, though 2009's verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are less complete.
Does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists one recall for the 2008 Mountaineer covering the transmission oil cooler line fitting bolt, which may not have been sufficiently torqued during assembly.