CarBrief

Owners of the 2006 Mountaineer filed 117 complaints with NHTSA, and the largest groups name the engine or the power train[1][2][3]. Combined fuel economy is 15 to 16 MPG[4][5][6][7].

117owner complaints[1]
1recalls[8]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 117 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash[1], 2 a fire[1] and 7 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[2] 56 58,753
Power train[3] 39 53,000
Electrical system[9] 9 75,000
Unknown or other[10] 9 100,000
Structure[11] 7 67,500
Seats[12] 6 not listed
Brakes[13] 3 54,000
Speed control[14] 3 not listed

Engine. In the 12 engine complaints we read, 10 describe radiator or coolant leaks, cracks or replacements. Some owners describe more than one radiator replacement. This is a small sample, so it does not tell us how common the problem is across all cars[2].

Power train. In the 12 power train complaints we read, 8 describe a jolt, thud or lurch when coming to a stop[3]. Some owners say it feels like being hit from behind. Five describe slipping or trouble shifting[3]. Five say dealer visits, reprogramming or a fluid service did not end the problem[3]. Two crashes and 2 fires are tied to this group[3].

Structure. Of the 6 structure complaints we read, 3 describe water leaking in, from the sunroof or the interior light area[11]. Two describe power running boards acting up[11].

Electrical. Of the 9 electrical complaints we read, 2 describe stalling and 2 describe a sunroof water leak[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[8].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four versions. All use regular fuel.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[4] 13 / 19 / 16 $4,200
2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[5] 13 / 19 / 15 $4,450
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[6] 13 / 19 / 15 $4,450
4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[7] 13 / 18 / 15 $4,450

The EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door RWD/AWD version 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[16].

How 2006 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 recalls20042005: 82 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 117 complaints, 1 recalls11720062007: 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 2006 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19973286
19982365
19991517
20001236
2001223
20023722
20031520
20042100
2005820
20061171
2007810
2008961
200960
2010131

The 2006 model year has 117 complaints and 1 recall[8]. That is more complaints than 2005 (82), 2007 (81), 2008 (96), 2009 (6), 2010 (13) and 2001 (22)[8]. It is fewer than 1997 (328), 1998 (236), 1999 (151), 2000 (123), 2002 (372), 2003 (152) and 2004 (210)[8]. Of the neighboring years, 2008 and 2010 each have one recall, and 2005, 2007 and 2009 have none[8]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2006 Mountaineer?

The complaint record points to two areas to check: the cooling system and the way the transmission behaves when stopping[2][3]. Radiator leaks and stop-time jolts were the most frequent themes in the samples we read, though the samples are small[2][3]. Ask whether the radiator has been replaced and test drive with several stops. Plan for fuel costs of $4,200 to $4,450 a year by EPA estimates[4][5][6][7]. The one recall is a wiper motor inspection, so ask whether it was done[15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer?
Engine (56 complaints) and power train (39) are the largest groups[2][3]. In the samples we read, owners describe radiator leaks and a jolt when stopping.
Has the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer been recalled?
NHTSA lists one recall, 05V520, for a wiper motor that may lack grease[15][8].
What MPG does the 2006 Mountaineer get?
The EPA lists 15 to 16 combined MPG, depending on engine and drive[4][5][6][7].
How safe is the 2006 Mountaineer in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 3 stars for rollover, with a 22.8% rollover risk[16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 117 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 56 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,753). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 39 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-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
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Mountaineer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 3 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 05V520, filed November 9, 2005: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: 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.