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 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer, and it carries 2 recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 33 | 28% |
| Power train | 29 | 25% |
| Engine | 8 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that her husband informed her that the vehicle had experienced an unknown radiator failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the radi
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
My shifter continuously won’t come out of park. Multiple other people with the same kind of vehicle have posted on forums with the same issue. It’s happened weekly for a year or more. I keep getting told there’s a recall
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
There is a known issue with the cluster panel’s relay that has caused my headlights to flash off and on randomly as it malfunctions.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY CAR WILL JERK AS I'M DRIVING RPMS GOING HIGH WHILE NO SPEED IS PICKING UP. WITH JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHEN AT STOP LIGHT. LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM TIRES COULD HAVE FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON GAS PETAL AND GO NO FASTER.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 123,000 MILES. NOTICE (BOTTOM) OF BOX SUBFRAME, LOCATED REAR DRIVER SIDE ONLY. FOWARD OF REAR AXLE, HAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN A LENGTH OF 8 TO 10 INCHES. CORROSION HAS ROTTED THROUGH THIS AREA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE GEAR SHAFT WILL STOP MY CAR FROM STARTING WHEN I TURN IT OFF. IT WILL ALSO MAKE MY CAR VUT OFF WHILE DRIVING..THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR STICK WILL GET STUCK AND I AM ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS...WHEN THE CAR IS NOT STARTED AND
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR MESSED UP CAUSING THE TO BE STATIONARY. THE SEAT WONT MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD.THE AIR CONDITIONING ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOESN'T BLOW COLD , THE DASH AND RADIO LIGHTS BRIGHTEN AND DIM SPORADICALLY AN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I LIVE IN QUINCY, MA. WHEN IT SNOWS OR GETS COLD THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY, MAJORITY OF TIME IN REVERSE, LOCKS IN REVERSE, SELF ACCELERATING, AND EVEN WHEN I BRAKE IT OVERRIDES THE BRAKING SYSTEM. LAST NIGHT IT ACTUALLY SEL
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 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
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.
Risk: 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. I
Fix: 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 LIN
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | 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 117 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 33 of them (28%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) 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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 66/100. 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.