Cruise Control Problems of Mercury Mountaineer - part 1

I purchased a used 2005 Mercury Mountaineer last month, with 135,400 miles, while using cruise control and traveling approximately 35 mph, the road went from level to a very slight downgrade. The car then just shut off after audible warning bell was heard. Noticed dashboard lights were all lit and battery gage was normal. I lost power steering, brakes and oil pressure. After pulling safely to the side of the road, I rested for 30 seconds before restarting the car, which subsequently operated normally. After taking it in for an oil change and safety check, I went on a 450 mile weekend trip and had no issues, restricting cruise control to highway speeds. The other day, I was traveling on a different stretch of level road in my town while using cruise control at approx. 35 mph. After heading into a slight downgrade, I again heard the warning bell, followed by engine shut off. A "check gage" light came on and I lost power steering, oil pressure and brakes. This time, I gently shifted the car into neutral, and while coasting at 15-20 mph I turned the ignition off before restarting without issue. The car has subsequently operated normally, but I have not engaged the cruise control at any speed.

See all problems of the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

Under my hood started smoking, I popped my hood to find flames under it. I had to get my kids out the truck and put the flames out with and extinguisher. That's when I noticed that my brake fluid reservoir was melted and so were the wires that connect to the cruise control switch. Not I am without a vehicle to get to work and get my children to school.

See all problems of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

I had the cruise control set on 30 mph driving in a residential area. Without warning, all the lights on my dash flashed, and my vehicle lost all power. Very scary. No more power steering, no power brakes, while coasting through a neighborhood. I put the car in neutral, turned the key off, back on again, and put the car back in drive. That fixed the problem. This is very scary and dangerous!! this is the third time it has happened to me. I am afraid to use the cruise control on my car now :(.

This is not the first time this has happened! we were driving when my husband set the cruise control and it stalled our vehicle! he set it for 45 mph and it just shut the car down! this is not the first time this has happened we set it for 35 mph and it stalled the vehicle we notified the company we got the car from and they told us there was nothing wrong with it when they drove it and set the cruise control! we told them that it happened several times! and I refuse to pay for something now that my car is no longer under warranty when the place I got the SUV from was aware of the issue, I seen that there were a lot of other complaints about this happening, what is Mercury waiting for? someone to get killed!!.

See all problems of the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

The engine has shut off twice while driving using cruise control. The first time I was able to get to the side of road and restart it. . The second time I put it in neutral and restarted it while moving. I am afraid to use the cruise control now - if there had been oncoming traffic we would've had a head-on collision as I was on a corner and went into the other lane. When the engine shuts off, the power steering is gone leaving it very difficult to turn.

Using cruise control going down a slight grade the engine died. This has happened multiple times in the last few months, so now I know to put the vehicle in netural while still moving and re-start the engine, then pull back down into drive. This isn't easy to do, so be careful not to put in reverse or park while trying to re-start the engine.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while traveling 45 mph with the cruise control activated the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the cruise control switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted abut the failure. The failure and current mileage was 138,800.

When I use the cruise control and then turn it off I can't seem to push my gas pedal when you are driving the vehicle. I have to keep putting extreme pressure on the accelerator pedal until something breaks or pops and then it allows me to push the pedal. I keep having problems with smoke coming from on top of the steering column like something is burning when you are driving, now I have electrical problems to where my horn will not work anymore. I keep having problems with the front frame of the SUV. The frame sounds and feels like it is going to fall apart and it doesn't matter if you are driving or stationary. The mechanic says it is the sway bar that is causing that problem. I have been calling Ford about it and they keep saying there is no recall on my vehicle.

See all problems of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

Engine stalls when activating cruise control which results in hazardous driving situation due to loss of power steering and brakes. Have to pull over to side of road, put the vehicle in park and restart. Starts every time. Has repeated 3 times. This is a serious flaw in the Ford electrical computer design to result a failure mode that stalls the vehicle engine while under speed.

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact deactivated the cruise control when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure also recurred when driving at slower speeds or when decelerating with the cruise control activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated there was a recall and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was a manufacturer's voluntary recall issued but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Brake lights were not lighting. Fuse was blown, replaced fuse, stepped on brake pedal, then poof of smoke at fuse inside, and under hood smoke continued for 2 minutes. Found connector for switch on master cylinder was melted and switch is still bad. Disconnected connector from shorted switch causing fuse to blow. Then replaced fuse and now brake lights work. Cruise control was intermittent for the past 2 months prior to this event. Connector is tied to keep it secure until repair is made.

See all problems of the 2000 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

2005 Mercury Mountaineer cruise control emergency while driving my wifes 2005 Mercury Mountaineer at approximately 50 mph and using the cruise control the engine shut off. (dangerous and scary) I immediately placed the engine in neutral and restarted it with no trouble. Fortunately we were on a straight road. The engine shut down appeared to occur because the cruise control DE-accelerated the engine while coasting down hill (using the cruise control) to below 400 rpms. Below 400 rpms the engine stops. The car speed, length of the downward coast, and hill slope appeared to affect the stoppage. If the speed control signals an increase prior to bottoming the rpms the engine will continue to run, if not it will shut off loosing oil pressure, power steering, and power brakes. My wife doesnt normally use the cruise control, which is fortunate for her. Im sure if she were driving when this occurred she would have coast to a stop of worse if it happened while going around a curve. I was able to duplicate this problem four times by picking a hill with the right conditions and setting the speed at around 45 to 50 mph. I called the dealer where she bought the car new and was told there are no recalls on her car, however; while searching the internet we found that the same problem has occurred numerous times on Ford explorers and Mercury Mountaineers. We've set and appointment at the dealer for a diagnosis.

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle was parked and became engulfed into massive flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of failure was related to the cruise control. A police report was filed with no personal injury. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a towing facility. The failure mileage was unknown.

I was driving my 2002 Mercury Mountaineer on vacation in florida 1400 miles from home with my kids, I was on the interstate 75 on alligator alley when I was coming up on two semi trucks, I applied the brake and instead of the cruise control shutting off it sped up fast sending me towards the semi trailers going about 85 mph, I slammed on the brakes and veered off the interstate onto the shoulder and grabbed the gear shift lever to downshift to slow it down and the shift lever broke of in my hand, I got the SUV home and contacted the Ford dealer and I was told that there is a recall on the cruise control for failure but that I have to pay around 1 thousand dollars for the shifter arm that broke off when the cruise control defect caused all of this in the first place and the shifter arm should be a recall also as there are thousands and thousands of instances of shifter arms breaking on these models.

See all problems of the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

I own a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The tailgate developed a crack between the emblem and the rear glass lift. It was fixed once already and has since cracked again. Since this crack has developed, the door ajar light has come on. I have noticed the same crack in almost every Ford explorer and Mountaineer that I see. I contacted the dealer to have it repaired again and was told that they only cover the repair once. I don't feel I should have to pay out of pocket for an obvious manufacturing defect. I then contacted Ford and was told there is nothing they can do for me. Keep in mind, I have also had numerous visits for my transmission having issues from the beginning and I have also had issues with the cruise control where it suddenly "takes off" and goes really fast. Ford needs to stand by it's vehicles and fix them when there are obvious manufacturer defects!.

While driving 35-45 mph, car suddenly shut down. Check engine light and battery light came on. Loss of power steering, power brakes, acceleration. Maneuvered vehicle to nearby parking lot, waited, and then restarted the vehicle. No problem in restarting vehicle and all warning lights were off. Used cruise control prior to incident. Intermittent problem; unable to re-create for Ford dealer to diagnose. New battery was installed by Ford dealer in winter 2009.

I just purchase a used 2004 Mercury mtnr. . . Everytime I set the cruise control the cars lights come on and gauges and the vehicles turns off I have to wait several minutes before it restarts.

2004 Mercury Mountaineer stalls when cruise control is used. Oftentimes it seem related to going downhill or lower rpms. This has happened to me on two separate 2004 Mercury Mountaineers. One had a v-6 and the other has a v-8. Both were the premiere edition.

2004 Mercury Mountaineer stalls when cruise control is used. Oftentimes it seem related to going downhill or lower rpms. This has happened to me on two separate 2004 Mercury Mountaineers. One had a v-6 and the other has a v-8. Both were the premiere edition.

This is not a safety complaint but rather about service received on recall of speed control deactivation switch for a 2001 Mountaineer, 05s28. We received notice in Sep 2007 & called and setup an appointment to have the part replace on oct 11 2007. Upon arrival we were told that parts were not available but they would disconnect cruise control. We waited over an hour to have this done which was frustrating. Plus Ford should have been upfront and told us we would have to make two trips to have problem corrected. We traveled 90 miles round trip. On Feb 24th, I sent the dealership an email concerning the status of replacement parts since it had been nearly 6 months since the cruise control had been disabled. The next day the dealership called back and said that the parts had come in Friday, Feb 22 and set up a 2:00pm appointment to install new parts. When we got to the dealership, we were informed that the parts for the Mountaineer were not in. Another 90 miles for nothing. In addition, they cannot tell us when the parts will be in!.

See all problems of the 2001 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer. On the day the vehicle was purchased, the contact noticed fluid leaking onto her garage floor. She returned to the dealer and was informed that the pinion seal needed to be replaced, and repairs were made. While traveling 45 mph, the contact attempted to set the cruise control and the vehicle shut off in the middle of the road. She was able to pull over to the shoulder and restart the vehicle to drive home. After work one evening, she was unable to start the vehicle. After 20 minutes, her father arrived and was able to forcefully start the vehicle. The contact returned to the dealer the following day, but they could not duplicate the failure with the cruise control or the stalling. On June 16, 2008, she took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced a fuse. Upon further inspection, they identified a bushing that needed to be replaced as well. All of these failures occurred within four months of purchasing the vehicle and with less then 4,000 miles placed on the vehicle by the contact. The failure mileage was 34,177 and current mileage was 37,600. Updated 07/15/08 when the consumer started the vehicle, the power seats and power locks failed to work. The consumer returned to the dealer and they replaced the driver side motor. The sway bar bushings were replaced. Updated 07/15/08.

Driver sets cruise control at 35mph vehicle speed is at 35mph for about 90 secs. Suddenly vehicle's warning lights come on. (service engine soon. Battery alert. Low oil pressure alert , and temp. Alert ) vehicle loses all power. No brakes, steering locks up, no power. Driver (by the grace of god) brings vehicle to side of road right before a t in the road. Vehicles at the intersection can be traveling at 45mph. There was a school bus approaching as well. Driver turned on hazard lights. Driver phones husband. He had our 15 year old son (who was with me) check belts. They were intact. He then asked me if I had used the cruise control. I then remembered that this had happened to my husband several times when we had first bought the vehicle. Since then he has not set the cruise control for less than 40mph. Obviously I had forgotten that. I got back into the vehicle and turned on the engine and all was well. This morning, I called the Ford dealership where we had purchased the vehicle. The service manager recalled that they had serviced a Ford explorer one other time with the same problem. He said that there was not any record of a manufacturer recall. I told him that I wanted to make a report, as I knew that the situation yesterday could have resulted in a serious accident if I had lost power any closer to that intersection. He told me to make a report here. (by the way, I do not know what oem means concerning the component I listed. I even tried to look it up in tmy owners' manual and on the help portion of your website. I just left it marked "no. " ).

When using the cruise control the vehicle died: all gauge lights came on (battery, engine, etc. ) engine died, no power steering, etc. Had to roll to the side of the road, put vehicle in park or neutral and restart. This problem repeats itself ever time I use the cruise control. And, I see there are other owners of this model that have posted the same complaint. Problem first occurred in January of 2008 however continues today. Fortunately when the engine has died every time I have used the speed control it has not caused an accident. . . . Yet!.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving 70 mph with the cruise control activated, the rear driver side began to rumble. The vehicle was pulled over and flames began to erupt under the driver side rear door. The fire extinguished itself. There were no prior warning indicators. The vehicle was towed, but not inspected. The current and failure mileages were 27,000.

See all problems of the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer 🔎.

Cruise control works at times and sometime does not work.

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact received a Ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control in August of 2007. She immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The cruise control switch was disconnected and she was informed that the parts would be unavailable until November of 2007. In January of 2008, the dealer stated that they would notify her via mail when the parts arrive. As of April 2, 2008, the contact has not received a notice. A representative from the dealer informed her that they still did not know when the parts would be available. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was 05s28. The current mileage was 48,000. Updated 04/16/08.

The contact owns a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control switch in August of 2007. The parts for the recall repair are taking an extremely long time to arrive. He was dissatisfied that Ford never provided their customers with updates and he had to call 8-10 times, more than once a month, to find out the status of the recall. The contact stated that his local dealer refused to deactivate the cruise control because they felt it was unnecessary. The dealer was located thirty miles away from his residence. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 75,000. Update 04-02-08.

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I received a recall from Ford in August 2007 and they still do not have a part available for my vehicle.

Consumer complaint concerning vehicle catching on fire . The vehicle caught on fire on 8/25/06. The recall repair for the cruise control deactivation switch was scheduled for 8/28/06. The consumer feels that the switch was the cause of the fire. The consumer is requesting the blue book value from the manufacturer.

: the contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by an independent repair shop it caught on fire. A report was filed by the fire department. The mechanic determined the fire was caused by the cruise control switch over heating. The vehicle is currently awaiting the replacement parts for the cruise control and surrounding damaged parts. There is a NHTSA recall, # 99v062001, regarding the cruise control. The VIN was not included in the recall.

: the contact stated the vehicle erupted in flames, an hour and a half after it had been parked in the carport. The contacts house became engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The fire department responded and there was a police report taken. The insurance company and manufacturer inspected the vehicle. The insurance company was unable to come to a final determination about the fire, but stated it looks as though the fire started in the vehicle speed control area. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05v388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

2003 Mercury Mountaineer the cruise control on the steering column . The off button does not work ,the brake pedal must be applied, and the button to slow down the truck also does not work . No specific date ,a complaint was made to Ford when it first happened when the truck was under warranty but they said they could not find anything wrong .

: the contact stated the vehicle caught fire and burned. The vehicle was parked 4 hours prior to the fire. The fire and police department stated in written reports the fire started in the engine compartment on the driver's side. Additional property damage was sustained to one other vehicle. The insurance company investigated and deemed the vehicle a total loss.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer. I the consumer bought the car used, and when using the cruise control for the first time it would not disengage. It was at 70 mph and it accelerated to 85 mph. To stop vehicle had to put it into neutral and turn the key off. Then vehicle coasted until it would stop. Also had to pump the brakes many times to stop. There was no crash. Had the car looked at by a mechanic.

Last night while traveling home on the nys thruway, approximately 5 miles from my exit, the cruise control didn't disengage. It was late, and we came upon some road work, so I depressed the coast button several times to lower my speed. I have done this numerous times before without any mechanical/electrical/software problem. When this didn't lower my speed, I depressed the off button numerous times-this didn't work-so I depressed the brake-and this didn't work. I became scared and immediately put the SUV in neutral. The engine rpm went high over 5 on the tachometer so I put the transmission back into drive. The speed control indicator dash light was no longer on but the SUV's rpm was still higher than normal like the speed control was still engaged. The SUV now was not trying maintain previous speed but it was still pulling ahead without and any gas pedal. Using a lot of brakes, I was able to slow down way in advance and stop. I was able to drive and stop in my driveway (approximately 1. 5 miles from the thruway exit). I purchased my 2000 Mountaineer new and have never abused it. No off road - mostly just winter driving. Less than 47 k miles. I noticed a recall for the speed control cable which can become flared at the end. This is for certain Mountaineers equipped with 4. 0l sohc engines. My engine is a v-8; the older 5. 0l that earlier mustangs had. I am thankful that this happened late at night with no traffic on the thruway and very little in the village of saugerties. So there you have it. I'm not sure where this glitch is-possibly the speed control cable is flared and will not loosen to allow regular idle, or something else in the speed control software or something else. I consider myself an above average driver. This could have been tragic if this happened in traffic with a less experienced driver. Good luck and keep up the good work. Not an easy thing to do considering everything you do. Thank you for making our daily lives safer.