Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 65 | 31% |
| Power train | 48 | 23% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 6% |
| Air bags | 10 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 2% |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% |
| Power train | 3 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
This vehicle is has a power train problem from day one with the 5R55S/W transmission and AWD transfer case. I purchased this vehicle where it stranded my family over 200 miles from home and it's a non running car. This v
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY WINDOWS WERE ROLLING DOWN WHEN I FIRST THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ROLLING DOWN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON... ALL THE TIME GRINDING NOISES WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT SOUNDS LIKE GEARS ARE FREELY SPINNING WHILE ENGAGED AND DRIVING. NO ISSUES WITH CHANGING GEARS A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
OPERATING THE TAILGATE WINDOW HINGES BROKE OFF SCREWS APPEARED TO HAVE SEVERE CORROSION VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint: Structure
HUMMING IN FRONT AT ALL SPEEDS FT WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE BAD. NOW RIGHT REAR BEARING MAKING NOISE. VERY LOOSE . LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE NEED TO BE LOOKED AT
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
1. PAINT COMING OFF OF ROOF AND DRIVER'S DOOR. 2. REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING. 3. CRACKS IN PLASTIC AREA OF REAR LIFT GATE AROUND WIPER ARM. 4. ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND POTENTIAL ACCID
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS!! RIGHT HINGE BROKE WHICH DROPPED RIGHT SIDE OF GLASS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GLASS WHICH MADE IT EXPLODE. GLASS COVERED ME WITH A FEW MINIMAL CUTS
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY SON WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON AUGUST 6, 2015. SOMETHING HAPPENED, AND HE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. AT THAT POINT THE AIRBAG COVER FLEW TOTALLY OFF, INSTEAD AND FALLING DOWN AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE COVER ITSEL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 FEDER
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Fix: 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 REIM
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 65 of them (31%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.