CarBrief

NHTSA has 123 owner complaints for the 2000 Mountaineer, and speed control is the biggest group[1][2]. Six recalls are on file, so check each one before you buy[3].

123owner complaints[1]
6recalls[3]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 123 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 15 mention a crash, 12 a fire and 17 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Speed control[2] 28 6 6 5
Tires[5] 22 1 0 1
Electrical system[6] 19 0 7 1
Power train[7] 15 0 0 0
Air bags[8] 9 7 0 11

Air bags has few complaints but 7 crashes and 11 injuries[8]. The other groups are smaller. Engine has 9 complaints[9], brakes 8[10] and seats 7[11].

Speed control. The median mileage at failure is 102,000[2]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 10 describe the engine racing, a stuck throttle or a stuck pedal, and some of those ended in a crash[2]. In several of the 12 texts, the owner says the dealer could not find the cause[2]. Two of the 12 describe a slipping transmission instead[2].

Tires. In a sample of 12 complaints, 4 describe a blowout, 4 describe vibration or noise, and 4 describe worry about tire recalls or the cost of new tires[5].

Electrical system. Median mileage at failure is 118,000[6]. In a sample of 12 complaints, 5 describe wipers, locks or windows quitting, 3 describe smoke from a turn signal or hazard switch, and 2 describe a vehicle fire[6].

Power train. Median mileage at failure is 59,976[7]. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe a transmission that slipped, shifted badly or failed, and in some cases was replaced[7]. Two describe the vehicle rolling backward[7].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Ask the seller for proof that each recall repair was done.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine. The 4.0L 6-cylinder with an automatic 5-speed rates 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined MPG in 2WD and in 4WD[4][18]. EPA estimates $4,200 a year in fuel[4][18]. The 5.0L 8-cylinder with an automatic 4-speed rates 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined MPG in both, at $4,450 a year[19][20]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star program has not rated this vehicle[21]. Crash safety is therefore not something we can score.

How 2000 compares with other years

1997: 328 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 236 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 151 complaints, 7 recalls19992000: 123 complaints, 6 recalls12320002001: 22 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 372 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 152 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 210 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 82 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 117 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 81 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 96 complaints, 1 recalls20082009: 6 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 13 complaints, 1 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Mountaineer model year. The 2000 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19973286
19982365
19991517
20001236
2001223
20023722
20031520
20042100
2005820
20061171
2007810
2008961
200960
2010131

With 123 complaints[3], 2000 sits in the middle. Six years have more: 1997 with 328, 1998 with 236, 1999 with 151, 2002 with 372, 2003 with 152 and 2004 with 210[3]. The years 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 have fewer, from 6 to 117[3].

For recalls, 2000 has 6[3]. That ties 1997 and trails 1999, which has 7[3]. No year after 2002 has more than 1[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so a low count can reflect fewer cars sold.

Should you buy a used 2000 Mountaineer?

The record is mixed. Speed control is the largest complaint group, with crashes and fires among them[2]. Six recalls are on file, including a fire risk in the speed control switch, so ask for proof each repair was done[12][3]. Fuel costs run $4,200 to $4,450 a year by EPA's estimate[4][19]. A mechanic should check the tires, transmission and electrical system first[5][6][7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer?
In NHTSA complaints, speed control leads with 28 of 123, followed by tires with 22 and the electrical system with 19[1][2][5][6].
Does the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6, covering the speed control switch and cable, a seat recliner bolt, seat belt buckles, side air bag sensors and an electronic module[12][13][14][15][16][17].
What MPG does the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer get?
The 4.0L rates 16 combined MPG and the 5.0L rates 15 combined MPG[4][19][18][20].
Is the 2000 Mountaineer better or worse than other years?
It has fewer complaints than six other years and more than seven. Its 6 recalls are second to 1999's 7, tied with 1997[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 123 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer (15 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 28 complaints name the speed control component group (6 crashes, 6 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Mountaineer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 22 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 19 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 118,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 15 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,976). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 9 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 160,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the seats component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 07V336, filed August 3, 2007: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 03V280, filed August 5, 2003: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 03V281, filed August 5, 2003: Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 00V228, filed August 18, 2000: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 00V179, filed July 5, 2000: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 00V072, filed March 7, 2000: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 5.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.