CarBrief

Owners of the 2008 Mountaineer filed 96 complaints with NHTSA, and the biggest group is about seats[1][2]. The car has one recall, for a transmission cooler line bolt[3].

96owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
15–16MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 96 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 3 mention a crash, and none mention a fire, injury or death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

In the sample of seat complaints we read, 11 of 12 describe the driver's power seat moving on its own while driving[2]. Owners say the seat can slide back far enough that they cannot reach the pedals. Some owners point to the ignition switch. In the electrical sample, 11 of 12 describe the same seat movement, and several also mention the dome or interior lights coming on[6].

In the sample of power train complaints we read, 4 of 9 describe rough, erratic or jerky shifting[7]. In the engine sample, 5 of 9 describe the engine stalling or shutting off[8]. These are small samples, so treat them as examples of what owners describe, not as a count of how common each problem is.

Recalls

Fuel economy

All four EPA ratings below use regular fuel.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[5] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200
2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[13] 13 / 20 / 16 $4,200
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[14] 13 / 19 / 15 $4,450
4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[15] 13 / 19 / 15 $4,450

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

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

How 2008 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 recalls20062007: 81 complaints, 0 recalls20072008: 96 complaints, 1 recalls9620082009: 6 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 13 complaints, 1 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Mountaineer model year. The 2008 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19973286
19982365
19991517
20001236
2001223
20023722
20031520
20042100
2005820
20061171
2007810
2008961
200960
2010131

NHTSA lists 96 complaints and 1 recall for 2008[4]. Eight model years have more complaints: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Five have fewer: 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010[4]. On recalls, 1997 to 2002 each have more than 2008. 2006 and 2010 also have 1, and 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009 have none[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2008 Mountaineer?

The 2008 sits in the middle of this model's years for complaints[4]. The most reported issue in the samples we read is the driver's seat moving by itself, and owners describe it as a safety concern when it happens at speed[2][6]. If you test drive one, check that the power seat stays put and ask about any ignition or seat repairs. Ask a dealer to confirm that the cooler line recall work was done for the vehicle[3]. Expect fuel costs of $4,200 to $4,450 a year by EPA estimates[5][15].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer?
Seats lead with 54 complaints, then the electrical system with 39, out of 96 total[1][2][6]. In the samples we read, owners describe the driver's seat moving on its own while driving.
Has the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer been recalled?
Yes, one recall, 07V453, for a transmission cooler line bolt that may be too loose. Dealers tighten it free[3].
What MPG does the 2008 Mountaineer get?
EPA rates it at 16 combined MPG for 2WD and 15 combined for 4WD[5][13][14][15].
How safe is the 2008 Mountaineer in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 3 stars for rollover, with a risk of 22.8%[16].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 96 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 54 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 07V453, filed September 26, 2007: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Mountaineer model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 39 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,409). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,794). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Mountaineer 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. 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
  15. EPA rating for Mountaineer 4WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-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
  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.