CarBrief

NHTSA has 210 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer[1]. The biggest groups are structure and power train[2][3].

210owner complaints[1]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several groups, and these are the biggest.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2004 Mountaineer[11].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Mountaineer 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[12] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
Mountaineer 4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[13] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
Mountaineer 2WD FFV, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
Mountaineer 4WD FFV, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[14] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450
Mountaineer 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[15] 14 / 19 / 16 $4,200
Mountaineer 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR None[17] n/a n/a n/a 3 22.8%

How 2004 compares with other years

1997: 328 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 236 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 151 complaints, 7 recalls19992000: 123 complaints, 6 recalls20002001: 22 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 372 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 152 complaints, 0 recalls20032004: 210 complaints, 0 recalls21020042005: 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 2004 is highlighted[11].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19973286
19982365
19991517
20001236
2001223
20023722
20031520
20042100
2005820
20061171
2007810
2008961
200960
2010131

NHTSA's counts for the Mountaineer show 210 complaints and 0 recalls for 2004[11]. Among the 14 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 3 have more[11]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (6) and the most are for 2002 (372)[11]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2004 Mountaineer?

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so they show patterns and not proof. The structure and power train groups lead the list[2][3]. Some reports involve a crash, with 11 mentioning one[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. If you are shopping for one, check the rear hatch and test how it shifts into gear.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer?
Structure complaints lead with 79[2], followed by power train with 64[3]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer have recalls?
The recall count for this year is 0 in our data[11]. Check the recalls section on this page for what is listed.
How reliable is the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer?
Owners filed 210 complaints[1]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide and not a score.
What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer?
See the fuel economy section on this page.
Which year of the Mercury Mountaineer is best?
See the by-year comparison on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mercury Mountaineer

Compare all model years of the Mercury Mountaineer

Other Mercury models from 2004

All Mercury models

Similar cars from 2004: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 210 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer (11 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 79 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 64 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD FFV, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 21 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 19 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,366). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Mountaineer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-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
  14. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD FFV, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. 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
  16. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. 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.