1998 Mercury Mountaineer from North America - Comments

I have been a Ford customer since 1970 when I bought my first new car, Torino. I have owned 8 other Ford/Mercury vehicle. I now own a 1998 Mountaineer. As I have read from previous customers, many have had the same problem as me. The radio lights seem to have a mind of their own. On and off constantly. When I took it in to find out the problem, I was told they had many problems with the radios in the Explorer/Mountaineer. Why didn't Ford do something about it? It is annoying when driving in the evening with the lights on. Also, lights in steering wheel for cruise controls. Constantly a problem. Again, Ford you need to take the responsibility of replacing or at least offer an affordable replacement.

Thank you. Paul E. Tjaden.

I purchased my 1998 Mountaineer in April '06. I absolutely LOVE this truck! It had 138000 miles on it then, and has 165000 now (Dec 06). I have taken 3 long road trips with it and drive it daily. All I have done to the truck is change the oil and wash it. It runs great at all speeds--I have the 5.0 v-8, 2wd. This vehicle has great acceleration for passing or merging onto the highway. It rides really nice and is very comfortable. Gas mileage is what you would expect from a large engine, 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

Everything works except for a light burnt out behind the gas gauge. I have had one minor problem with the alarm system. It sometimes goes off when I open the passenger door or tailgate after unlocking with the key. The stereo works great. When I purchased the vehicle the brakes were squealing and the AC/heat control was not functioning. The dealership fixed both problems.

I have read the negative reviews on this vehicle, but have no complaints of my own. I believe the truck I have was well maintained by the previous owner. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone, but obviously look at the condition of it before you buy. Any vehicle that has been abused or poorly maintained will have problems.

I just got my 98 Mercury Mountaineer 2 weeks ago. I love it, but many of the problems everyone else has, I have encountered as well. The lights on the stereo face come in and out (I tap it a few times and they come back, I'm guessing it's a short). I think I've already blown the two trunk speakers that I'm going to have to fix. Every time I hit a bump or go up into a parking lot, I hear a squeal or a thump from my front end, which may be the ball joints. Thank God for warranties. I just wish my dealer would stop avoiding me. Oh and the check engine light comes and goes as it pleases. Gotta love electrical problems.

I bought my 1998 Mountaineer in August of 2006 and at 81,000 miles it had very few problems. It was a one owner vehicle when I got it and was well taken care of. The original owner replaced the tires with Michelin LTX/MS tires and they seem to be wearing well. It has 88,000 miles on it now and all I've had to do is remove the Idle Air Control sensor and clean it, after replacing it no more problems. I am extremely happy with this SUV, 23 to 25 mpg on the road and 18 to 22 in town. I purchased an extended warranty for it just in case, but so far I have'nt needed it. It is very comfortable on road trips and the 4.0 v-6 has more than enough power. The 5-speed auto trans shifts smoothly. To all those owners who seem unsatisfied/ Try alittle more preventive maintance, it's the key to a problem free vehicle.

98 Mountaineer new in September 98, in warranty rear wiper motor replaced failed again after warranty still not operating, new lower ball joints both sides at 54k, shifter cable at 62k, lots of small problems, now at 75k has been in trans shop for 3 weeks, rebuilt - broken spline collar, but still not running properly, they have tried a replacement computer - with associated dealer reprogramming to key, ford guy my whole life, my last E250 work van lasted 315k before any engine or trans work, currant E250 has 240k so its not the driver. This has been my favorite car, but has had more problems than several of my others put together. By the way the trans never left me sit, the light flashed and you could tell something was not right. I should have driven it till it stopped this currant repair is over $2800 and not done yet.

Have owned the 98 5.0 AWD Mountaineer since 2000 and currently have about 138K on it after several cross-country trips over the years. Overall, not a bad vehicle with few major problems. Mainly the early tire issues and brake replacement that occurs more often than my other vehicles. Love the power and sound system like some of the other owners on this site. Plan to keep driving it until it falls apart.

Found this site as I look for parts / solutions to fix what appear to be some common problems for this vehicle: 1) driver's seat recline lever broke off in 2005, 2) antenna quit going up and down in 2004, 3) radio display went dark in 2004 and surprises me with an appearance a couple of times a year (when I hurriedly reset all my station presets!), 4) rearview mirror headlight shutoff delay switch has not turned off since 2005, 5) trunk / decklid has not unlocked / locked with the remote keyless entry system since 2006, 6) and the High Series Center Console rear air blower clicks every so often and now needs a replacement armrest/console compartment cover as it has finally split open.

Good Luck to the other owners.

I brought my 1998 Mountaineer new in May of 1998. Up to the point when the warranty expired I have had very little problems. One of the side molding was a different color, the driver seat did not sit on the runners properly. The radio turn off by it self but I did not think anything of it at the time. I just turned it back on. Then after the warranty expired the radio started to off and on by itself more often. Dealer said it would cost $400-$500 to replace. So I was willing to live with it. The back windshield wiper would only clean 2/3 of the window. The dealer did something to the wiper and changed the blade. The problem went away for a short time but I still have the problem. When the check engine light came on I took it into the dealer and they said it was the catalytic converter and that cost over $1000 to replace. That was in 2001. The check engine light came on again in 2004 or 2005 and again it was the catalytic converter. Another $1000. Just a month ago the check engine light came on again and I have a bad feeling it is the catalytic converter again. Other than these things the car was fine. But every time the radio turns off and on by itself and I see that the back windshield is half clean and the check engine light shining in my face it just reminds me never, ever buy a Ford product again. At this point I tell every body I can about the poor design and quality of Ford products and their inability to fix their problems.

My Dad handed me down his 98' Mountaineer in 2004. It had about 88,000 miles on it and has run great since I've had it, but I am experiencing a lot of the little things listed above.

Lights out in the stereo, antenna doesn't work, the rear hatch doesn't unlock from the keyless remote and the hood release often sticks.

Mostly things that aren't worth the money to get fixed, but are rather annoying in certain situations, like trying to go through a car wash, but I can't because the antenna won't go down and will get ripped off, or having to turn the car off to take the keys out to open the back when I'm in a hurry.