YearToAvoid

2008 Mercury Mountaineer Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Mountaineer years

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

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer has 96 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 80 out of 100 — #2 highest of 6 Mountaineer model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is structure & body (55 complaints, 57% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes.

Complaints
96
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15.5
13 city / 19.5 hwy

Top 2008 Mercury Mountaineer problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body55 (57%)
  2. Electrical System44 (46%)
  3. Engine11 (11%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain9 (9%)
  5. Brakes6 (6%)
  6. Other6 (6%)
  7. Seat Belts4 (4%)
  8. Fuel System3 (3%)
  9. Steering3 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers3 (3%)
2008 Mercury Mountaineer complaints: complaints filed per quarter112008 Q12010 Q22012 Q12013 Q32015 Q12016 Q32018 Q42020 Q3
146 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q3 (11).

2008 Mercury Mountaineer recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 07V453000Sep 26, 2007Transmission & Powertrain1,497 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

    On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may loosen and the transmission oil cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak.

    Risk: If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
15.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,175
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.

2008 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
2006Avoid100117115
2007Caution6081015
2008Avoid8096115.5
2009Good06016
2010Best2013116

All Mercury Mountaineer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer ranks #2 of 6 among Mountaineer model years (Complaint Index 80/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 96 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer?
The most reported problem areas are structure & body (55 complaints), electrical system (44 complaints), and engine (11 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 66,600 miles.
Does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer, most recently reported 2007, covering transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer?
EPA rates the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer at 15.5 MPG combined (13 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,175. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.