Model year guide

2008 Mercury Mountaineer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 46 on record.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Mercury Mountaineer at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints96
Combined15–16 mpg
Typical price$7,528

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer recalls 2

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines NHTSA Campaign #07V453000 · manufacturer #07S56 · 26/09/2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Rollover risk: 22.8% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer MPG & running costs

Combined15–16 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,325
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd or Automatic 6-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer worth?

Low
$3,900
Typical price
$7,528
High
$10,800

From 45 comparable 2008 Mercury Mountaineer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,625
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,600
Total$27,225
Per mile$0.36

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,528) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,927), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

TIRE VALVE CRACKING Closed

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA. VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (0…

NHTSA #PE08060 · Tires · opened Oct 2008 · closed Apr 2009

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 21

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 21.

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlik…

Bulletin SSM 52476 · Equipment · Apr 2024

When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP A…

Bulletin SSM 51909 · Power Train · Sep 2023

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Pro…

Bulletin TSB 19-2026 · Structure · Feb 2019

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Pro…

Bulletin TSB 19-2026 · Structure, Equipment · Feb 2019

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible…

Bulletin DOR-S3J9G-11 · Steering · Oct 2018

Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. If diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft rolle…

Bulletin SSM 47331 · Engine, Equipment · Jun 2018

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only app…

Bulletin SSM 47201 · Equipment · Mar 2018

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts P…

Bulletin SSM 47009 · Equipment · Jan 2018

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts P…

Bulletin SSM 47009 · Equipment · Jan 2018

REPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET SYNC/NAVIGATION KIT OR MODIFYING ORIGINAL SYNC/NAVIGATION PARTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEATURES IS NOT RECOMMENDED NOR SUPPORTED ON ANY FORD, MERCURY OR LINCOLN VEHICLE. ONLY APP…

Bulletin SSM 46332 · Equipment · Jan 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MOUNTAINEER RWD/AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Mercury Mountaineer

The Mercury Mountaineer is a mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was sold by Mercury from 1996 until 2010. The first Mercury SUV, the Mountaineer was a divisional counterpart of the Ford Explorer, marketed above it and between the Lincoln Aviator. Across its three generations, the Mountaineer was marketed exclusively as a 5-door wagon, with no counterpart to the 3-door Explorer Sport or the Explorer Sport Trac pickup truck.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2008 Mercury Mountaineer trims & engines on record

Trims
Premier · Base · Luxury
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 292 hp

2008 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles on record

Other Mercury Mountaineer model years

2008 Mercury Mountaineer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer?

Across all 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seats, electrical system, power train.

What is the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercury Mountaineer get?

The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer worth?

Comparable 2008 Mercury Mountaineer listings run roughly $3,900–$10,800, typically around $7,528 (from 45 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.