Mountaineer (2000)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
5.0-V8-Gas
5.0L 8-cyl / 215 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Mountaineer Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 205 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Mountaineer, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000 Mercury Mountaineer
On a used 2000 Mercury Mountaineer, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the wheels and tires (23), the electrical system (19) and the transmission and drivetrain (14). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer about the wheels and tires.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer about the body and structure.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer about the brakes.
Recalls (8)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Show 3 older recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer complaints?
Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The systems they name most often are the wheels and tires, the electrical system and the transmission.
Is the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer have?
NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2000-2000 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mercury Mountaineer?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the wheels and tires, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Mountaineer have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 122 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.