NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
96 reports26,000 miles · Nov 26, 2011
Seats
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON AND THE POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BACK. I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKES AND THIS NEARLY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER MOUNTAINEERS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THA…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON AND THE POWER SEAT STARTED TO MOVE BACK. I WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE BRAKES AND THIS NEARLY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY 2 KIDS IN THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER MOUNTAINEERS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THANKSGIVING 2011 AND I WILL BE CALLING FORD ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437300
25,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011
Seats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS AFFECTING THE ELECTRONIC FEATURE ON THE SEAT AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10437270
52,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
JUST NOTICED A SMALL GAS LEAK HAPPENING OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO. GAS JUST INTERMITTENTLY DRIPS BEHIND LEFT REAR WHEEL REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE TANK IS FULL OR PARTIALLY EMPTY. CANNOT SEE WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406945
52,345 miles · Jun 15, 2011
SeatsVisibility
SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS. MOVES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION; DOESN'T MOVE WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO; SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN. SECONDLY, REAR WINDOW POPS OPEN IF CAR IS UNLOCKED. WILL ONLY REMAIN CLOSED WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED. THIRDLY, REAR WIPER HAS QUI…
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SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST, THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONS. MOVES WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION; DOESN'T MOVE WHEN KEY IS INSERTED INTO IGNITION. WAS REPAIRED ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO; SAME PROBLEM EXISTS AGAIN. SECONDLY, REAR WINDOW POPS OPEN IF CAR IS UNLOCKED. WILL ONLY REMAIN CLOSED WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED. THIRDLY, REAR WIPER HAS QUIT WORKING. REALLY STRANGE SINCE IT IS RARELY USED IN 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406943
61,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Electrical SystemSeats
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK. NOW, WHEN YOU START THE CAR, THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY, WITH POWER BUTTON, PUT INTO A COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR DRIVING. THE SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE BACK BY ITSELF AT RANDOM TIMES. MANY TIMES THE PROBLEM OCC…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY BACK. NOW, WHEN YOU START THE CAR, THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY, WITH POWER BUTTON, PUT INTO A COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR DRIVING. THE SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE BACK BY ITSELF AT RANDOM TIMES. MANY TIMES THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN DRIVING, EVEN AT 30 MPH OR LESS, OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10381944
40,357 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Seats
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON, THE DRIVER SEAT WENT FULLY BACK AND RECLINED A LITTLE, AND THE PEDALS MOVED. THIS ACTION WOULD BE CONSISTENT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE DRIVER WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD NOT BE A CONCERN FOR A TALLER DRIVER BUT FOR MY WIFE WHO IS CONSIDERABL…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE DOME LIGHT WENT ON, THE DRIVER SEAT WENT FULLY BACK AND RECLINED A LITTLE, AND THE PEDALS MOVED. THIS ACTION WOULD BE CONSISTENT AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE DRIVER WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS WOULD NOT BE A CONCERN FOR A TALLER DRIVER BUT FOR MY WIFE WHO IS CONSIDERABLY SHORTER COULD NOT TOUCH THE PEDALS WHICH COULD LEAD INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE THAT HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DAILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374009
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/24/11
NHTSA ODI #10370562
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingParking BrakePower Train
MY 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IS HAVING A STRONG TRANSMISSION KICK WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND A SQUICKING NOISE WHICH I THINK IS COMING FROM THE BREAK AND MY DEALER KEPT ON REPORTING BACK TO ME AS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. THIS SUV WERE BOUGHT AS BRAND NEW AND I FEEL LIKE THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO BREAK APART OR LOOSE MY BREAK…
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MY 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER IS HAVING A STRONG TRANSMISSION KICK WHEN DOWN SHIFTING AND A SQUICKING NOISE WHICH I THINK IS COMING FROM THE BREAK AND MY DEALER KEPT ON REPORTING BACK TO ME AS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. THIS SUV WERE BOUGHT AS BRAND NEW AND I FEEL LIKE THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO BREAK APART OR LOOSE MY BREAK EVERYTIME I FEEL THOSE RATTLES. EVERYTIME I WOULD GO TO MY DEALER FOR A SERVICE, I WOULD ALWAYS MENTION ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHICH THEY CAN'T FIX! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365945
16,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Seats
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE EASY EXIT FEATURE WOULD ACTIVATE CAUSING THE DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARD OUT OF POSITION AND PUSH THE CONTACT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE FEATURE WOULD ALSO MOVE THE SEAT BACK IN POSITION WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIV…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE EASY EXIT FEATURE WOULD ACTIVATE CAUSING THE DRIVER SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARD OUT OF POSITION AND PUSH THE CONTACT AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND PEDALS. THE FEATURE WOULD ALSO MOVE THE SEAT BACK IN POSITION WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE EASY EXIT FEATURE WAS ENGAGED, THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE A SENSOR THE DRIVER SEAT BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A NEW WIRING HARNESS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000
NHTSA ODI #10358430
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2010
Visibility
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT IN A FORD WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD. THE LINES IN THE WINDSHIELD CREATE GLARE AND HAZE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OF ONCOMING CARS HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331489
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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