1998 Ford Mountaineer recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
What could happen: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 MOUNTAINEER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06V286000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Notes: FORD RECALL NO. 05S28. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS…
What could happen: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 MOUNTAINEER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01X001000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-877-917-3673.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000.
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER
CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC
CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER
CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES
CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO
NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Consequence: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Notes:
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1998 Ford Mountaineer owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (2), Wheels / tires (2), Body / structure (1), Suspension (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
11/15/2013 · Electrical system
THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR DOES NOT RELEASE: NOW THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE'VE BOOSTED IT AND IT WOULD RUN BUT ONCE TURNED OFF IT WOULD NOT TURN ON AGAIN. *TR
03/10/2006 · Electrical system · fire
MY 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER WAS HAVING A SLOW START FOR THE PAST MONTH. A FEW TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, SOUNDING AS IF THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT WAS HAPPENING DURING THE COLD WEATHER SO WE ATTRIBUTED THESE SYMPTOMS TO THE COLD. WE HAD BATTERY CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE. ON MARCH 9,2006 WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT FIRE. THANKS…
09/28/2000 · Wheels / tires
CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
09/14/2000 · Wheels / tires
#P23575R15,WHILE CHECK TIRES NOTICED SOME SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK FIRESTONE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT INDICATED THE TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL. *YH
06/19/2000 · Suspension
WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. NOISE SOUNDS LIKE METAL WAS RUBBING TOGETHER. DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTUER ARE UNAWARE OF A REMEDY FOR DEFECT. DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT DEFECT CAN CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK