Lemon Law Center

on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6l engine and 6r transmission, the bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently torqued during vehicle assembly. as a result, the bolt may loosen and the transmission oil cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak.

Corrective Action

if leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened free of charge. the recall began on august 30, 2007. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as dot-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and foreign vehicles may not break into small pieces as expected of tempered glass and fails to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 205, "glazing materials."

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. safelite will notify its wholesale customers and reimburse wholesale customers for current inventory and at a specified rate for replacing their customerøs glass. wholesale customers can contact safelite's wholesale division, service autoglass toll free at 1-888-246-6298. the recall is expected to begin during january 2008.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2007 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2006 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

Consequence of Defect

on certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.

Corrective Action

after a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. the recall began on november 22, 2005. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.

2006 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2006 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2005 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2004 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2003 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2002 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Sidewall

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the right side tires may have horizontal cuts on the edge of the tread that could have occurred during vehicle assembly.

Corrective Action

over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the tires and, if any slices are found, the cut tires will be replaced. owner notification began june 7, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2002 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

this is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: 2002 ford explorer and mercury montaineer sport utility vehicles. the brackets connecting the left cylinders to each side of the liftgate glass could rotate out of position if either the urethane bond or torque are not sufficient.

Corrective Action

rotation of the brackets could potentially cause the lift cylinders to detach from the glass or, in some cases, could potentially cause the liftgate glass to break. either condition is most likely to occur when the glass is being closed.

Recall Notes

ford dealers will inspect the vehicles for the position of both the left and right liftgatge glass lift cylinder brackets. if the brackets are in the proper position, the bracket retainers will be tightened to a higher torque. in cases where the bracket is not properly position, the bracket must be re-aligned.

2002 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant(s) may be seriously injured by shattered glass.

Recall Notes

2001 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Recall Notes

ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. the recall began on august 4, 2006. owners may contact ufi filters usa at 800-230-5876.

2001 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

this could result in an underhood fire.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a fused wiring harness. owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. as soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. the recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

2001 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

the throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. owner notification began august 29, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2001 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Consequence of Defect

on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driverøs 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.

Corrective Action

the driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. in addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. owner notification began on august 29, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Seat Belts

Consequence of Defect

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."

Corrective Action

in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. owner notification began october 26, 2000. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Tread/Belt

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

if the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Recall Notes

the replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Recall Notes

ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. the recall began on august 4, 2006. owners may contact ufi filters usa at 800-230-5876.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Air Bags:Side/Window

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this could result in an underhood fire.

Recall Notes

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Electrical System:Fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence of Defect

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.

Corrective Action

an inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. owner notification began august 29, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2000 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Tread/Belt

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Recall Notes

the replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Recall Notes

ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. the recall began on august 4, 2006. owners may contact ufi filters usa at 800-230-5876.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the right front brake line to the hydraulic control unit (hcu) connection could separate causing the line to leak when the brake pedal is applied.

Corrective Action

this could result in a loss of brake pressure to the front wheels, increasing the stopping distance.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the flare nut on the brake line.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. a cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.

Corrective Action

if the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the cruise control cables. at the present time, the replacement cables are not available. customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this could result in an underhood fire.

Recall Notes

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Electrical System:Fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

an inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

Corrective Action

if this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Cables

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. owner notification began august 29, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

1999 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. the engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.

Corrective Action

the fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Tread/Belt

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Recall Notes

the replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.

Recall Notes

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-ac). some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. this reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. if the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge.

Corrective Action

this could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

Corrective Action

if this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

the fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.

Recall Notes

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Tread/Belt

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Recall Notes

the replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. these vehicles, when operated for extended periods of time at highway speeds and temperatures below -20 degrees farenheit, do not return to idle due to ice in the throttle body.

Corrective Action

although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. the liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.

Corrective Action

the gas cylinder bracket may not properly support the liftgate increasing the risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

dealers will reinforce the bracket attachment with two pop rivets.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

this could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Suspension

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.

Corrective Action

vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.

1996 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Tires:Tread/Belt

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

if the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Recall Notes

the replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

1996 Mercury Mountaineer

Component

Vehicle Speed Control

Consequence of Defect

Corrective Action

although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.

Recall Notes

dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.