YearToAvoid

2006 Mercury Mountaineer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer ranks worst among six model years, with 117 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Engine problems account for half of all complaints, transmission issues another third, and NHTSA lists one recall for wiper motor gears.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 6 Mountaineer years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
117
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
7
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2006 Mercury Mountaineer problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine59 (50%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain39 (33%)
  3. Structure & Body12 (10%)
  4. Other11 (9%)
  5. Electrical System9 (8%)
  6. Fuel System5 (4%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
  8. Brakes3 (3%)
  9. Airbags1 (1%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (1%)

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

What owners report

  • Transmissions slip out of park unexpectedly, allowing the vehicle to roll on its own.
  • Vehicles lurch or shift roughly when moving off from a stop, jolting passengers.
  • Some owners report engine or cooling-system failures accompanied by fire, in one case with smoke filling the cabin while driving.
  • Tire failures have been linked to loss of control and collisions with roadside structures.
  • Electrical faults include driver seat motors failing, air conditioning not working on one side, and dash lights dimming or brightening on their own.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in at least one reported low-speed crash that resulted in injuries.
2006 Mercury Mountaineer complaints: complaints filed per quarter122006 Q42008 Q22009 Q42011 Q22012 Q42014 Q32017 Q12021 Q2
117 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q4 to 2022 Q4; peak 2011 Q1 (12).

2006 Mercury Mountaineer recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 05V520000Nov 9, 2005Visibility & Wipers199,942 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.

    Risk: After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.

2006 Mercury Mountaineer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Mountaineer years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Good4082015
2006Avoid100117115
2007Caution6081015
2008Avoid8096115.5

All Mercury Mountaineer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer reliable?
Compared to other Mountaineer years, 2006 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst out of six model years with data, earning an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer?
Engine problems make up 50% of complaints and transmission and powertrain issues make up 33%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2006 Mountaineer, covering windshield wiper motors that may have been produced without grease on the output shaft gear.
What mileage do problems typically show up at?
Median mileage at failure was 58,849 overall, with engine complaints centering around 57,650 miles and transmission complaints around 53,000 miles.
Which Mountaineer model years are better than 2006?
The 2005, 2009, and 2010 model years all have lower complaint indexes (40, 0, and 20 respectively) and better verdicts than 2006.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.