At a glance

Reported mileage139,652 mi

LocationMd, USA

ColorGreen

Last listed price$300

Open recalls7

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Mercury

Model

Mountaineer

Year

1997

Trim

Base

Body style

Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

Vehicle type

MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Engine

5.0L 8-cyl 211 hp

Cylinders

8

Fuel type

Gasoline

Drivetrain

AWD/All-Wheel Drive

Doors

4

Assembly plant

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES (USA)

Manufacturer

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN 4M2DU55P5VUJ65030

⚠️ 7 open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN 4M2DU55P5VUJ65030

Safety recalls 7

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEA…

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN

NHTSA Campaign #09V399000 · 13/10/2009

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

NHTSA Campaign #00V402000 · 28/11/2000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA Campaign #00T005000 · 21/08/2000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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…

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

NHTSA Campaign #00V422000 · 27/12/2000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.

NHTSA Campaign #97V137000 · 19/08/1997

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 LIN…

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA Campaign #98V060000 · 19/03/1998

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 TE…

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.

NHTSA Campaign #97V074000 · 30/04/1997

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 369 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 2 reported injuries

Seat Belts 7 reports

🔍 Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Vehicle Speed Control 5 reports

🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Electrical System 2 reports

🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Fuel System 1 report

🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Gasoline 1 report

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Fuel/propulsion System 1 report

🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 369

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BE…

NHTSA ODI #11402578

SEAT BELTS

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. 185,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11311224

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT ME…

Crash · NHTSA ODI #11286936

SEAT BELTS

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REFUSES TO LATCH AND, IF IT DOES LATCH, COMES UNLATCHED ON ITS OWN. ON INSPECTION, THE 'GUTS' OF THE MECHANISM ARE GONE.

NHTSA ODI #11100258

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS AT A GAS STATION MAKING A PURCHASE WITH MY DISABLED MOTHER. WE LEFT THE STORE, AND GOT INTO MY TRUCK. I STARTED MY TRUCK AND PROCEED TO DIVE TOWARDS THE EXIT OF THE GAS STATION WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE BURNING RUBBER. I SAID TO MY MOTHER THAT SOMETHING SMELLED FUNNY AND THEN LOOKED AND SAW A THIN STEAM OF SMOKE COMING UP FROM IN BETWEEN MY LEGS. I…

Fire · NHTSA ODI #10993068

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 WH…

NHTSA ODI #10904769

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ODI #10794584

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10693941

+ 361 more complaints on record.