Mercury Mountaineer

American car model

Motor vehicle

Mercury Mountaineer

Overview
Manufacturer| Mercury (Ford)
Production| 1996–2010
Model years| 1997–2010
Assembly| Louisville, Kentucky
St. Louis, Missouri
Body and chassis
Class| Mid-size SUV
Body style| 5-door SUV
Layout| Front engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive

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 (ultimately replacing the latter). 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.

For its entire production, the Mountaineer was assembled by Ford at its Louisville Assembly facility (Louisville, Kentucky); prior to 2007, additional production was sourced from St. Louis Assembly (Hazelwood, Missouri). After the 2010 model year, the Mountaineer was discontinued, becoming the second Mercury line (after the Sable) to be discontinued before Mercury was withdrawn at the end of 2010.[1]

## Background

[edit]

Ford Explorer Limited (1993), indirect Ford predecessor of the Mercury Mountaineer

For the 1991 model year, General Motors introduced the Oldsmobile Bravada mid-size SUV, derived from the newly-created five-door version of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. The first premium brand to release an SUV, Oldsmobile marketed the Bravada as a competitor to the Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser (though far lower in price), with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer (in its 29th and final year) as its only American competition.

While sharing its 5-door wagon body with the Blazer, Oldsmobile differentiated the Bravada both visibly and functionally. In place of a part-time 4x4 system, the Bravada was fitted with the permanent all-wheel drive system of the GMC Typhoon/GMC Syclone. In extensive contrast to the traditional wood-paneled exterior of the Grand Wagoneer, Oldsmobile adopted a monochrome exterior similar to the Typhoon/Syclone.

As a response to the Bravada, both Chrysler and Ford introduced luxury mid-size SUVs for 1993. Jeep revived the Grand Wagoneer nameplate as a flagship Grand Cherokee, featuring woodgrain exterior trim and a leather interior; limited sales led to its cancellation after a single model year. Ford introduced the Explorer Limited as its flagship trim; in line with the Bravada, the Limited was styled with a monochromatic exterior, body-color bumpers, and exclusive aluminum wheels. In contrast to the outdoors-themed Eddie Bauer, the Limited was geared towards on-road driving. With the 1995 redesign of the Explorer, the Limited remained part of the Explorer line, adopting an all-wheel drive system for 1996 (with its V8 engine).

As the 1990s progressed, the segment gained further competitors (also developed through rebranding), including the release of the Acura SLX (Isuzu Trooper), Infiniti QX4 (Nissan Pathfinder) and the larger Lexus LX450 (Toyota Land Cruiser). As these brands (along with Oldsmobile), competed more directly with luxury brands than the Ford model line, Ford Motor Company sought to develop SUVs for its Lincoln-Mercury division. To minimize model overlap, Mercury was chosen to sell a version of the mid-size Ford Explorer; the first Lincoln SUV would be derived from the full-size Ford Expedition.

## First generation (1997–2001)

[edit]

Motor vehicle

First generation

1998–2001 Mercury Mountaineer

Overview
Production| April 1996–2001
Model years| 1997–2001
Body and chassis
Related| Ford Explorer
Ford Ranger
Mazda B-Series
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Lincoln Aviator
Powertrain
Engine| 4.0 L Cologne V6
5.0 L Windsor V8
Transmission| 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 1997: 111.5 in (2,832 mm)
1998–2001: 111.6 in (2,835 mm)
Length| 1997: 188.5 in (4,788 mm)
1998–1999: 190.1 in (4,829 mm)
2000–2001: 190.7 in (4,844 mm)
Width| 70.2 in (1,783 mm)
Height| 1997 2WD: 66.8 in (1,697 mm)
1997 4WD: 66.7 in (1,694 mm)
1998–2001 2WD: 70.5 in (1,791 mm)
1998–2001 4WD: 70.3 in (1,786 mm)

The first-generation Mercury Mountaineer was an early 1997 model, entering production in April 1996.[2] While falling short of Lincoln-Mercury sales projections, the Mountaineer would outsell its Oldsmobile Bravada competitor by a wide margin.[3] The model line became the third-best selling Mercury, trailing only the Sable and the Grand Marquis.

As with the Ford Explorer Limited, the Mercury Mountaineer was offered only as a five-door wagon.

1997 Mercury Mountaineer 1997 Mercury Mountaineer rear styling

### Body

[edit]

At its launch, the Mercury Mountaineer was closest in appearance to the two-tone Ford Explorer XLT, but equipped between the Explorer Eddie Bauer and Explorer Limited.

In addition to the Mercury waterfall-style grille (which was not recessed) styled similar to the Grand Marquis, the Mountaineer was styled with a distinct dark-gray lower body color scheme (with painted bumpers). The rear liftgate and bumper (with rear foglamps) were sourced from the European-export version of the Explorer.

For 1998, the Mountaineer adopted the same mid-cycle revisions as the Explorer, including body-color D-pillars and the relocation of the license plate to the liftgate (the Mountaineer dropped the export rear bumper and its foglamps). The grille opening was inverted (with new headlamps), along with a new front bumper.

### Chassis

[edit]

The 1997–2001 Mercury Mountaineer shares the chassis of the second-generation Ford Explorer, sharing a 111-inch wheelbase. Though heavily based upon the first-generation Ford Ranger, the five-door sport-utility vehicles are wider and have a distinct wheelbase. As with the Ford Explorer, the Mountaineer is fitted with fully independent wishbone front suspension and a leaf-sprung live rear axle.

For 1997, the Mercury Mountaineer was fitted with a 215 hp (160 kW) 5.0-liter V8 with a 4-speed automatic transmission. For 1998, the 205 hp (153 kW) 4.0-liter SOHC V6 was offered as an option. Like the Ford Explorer, the V8 engine was mated to either rear-wheel drive or full time all-wheel drive (viscous coupling center differential); part-time four-wheel drive was unavailable with the V8 engine. The V6 Mountaineer was offered either as rear-wheel drive or ControlTrac four-wheel drive with "Auto", "High" and "Low" modes.

### Trim

[edit]

The first-generation Mercury Mountaineer was introduced in a single trim level, combining many available features of the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer and Limited. With the exception of a sunroof, CD changer, and the selection of front seat design, there were few freestanding options.[4]

For 1998, the addition of the V6 version differed primarily in its powertrain configuration, with Mercury choosing to continue to offer the Mountaineer as a single comprehensive trim level.[5]

## Second generation (2002–2005)

[edit]

Motor vehicle

Second generation

Overview
Production| November 2000–2005
Model years| 2002–2005
Body and chassis
Related| Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Lincoln Aviator
Ford Ranger
Powertrain
Engine| 4.0 L Cologne V6
4.6 L Modular V8
Transmission| 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 2002–2003: 113.7 in (2,888 mm)
2004–2005: 113.8 in (2,891 mm)
Length| 2002–2003: 190.7 in (4,844 mm)
2004–2005: 190.9 in (4,849 mm)
Width| 2002–2003: 72.1 in (1,831 mm)
2004–2005: 72.3 in (1,836 mm)
Height| 2002–2003 2WD: 69.6 in (1,768 mm)
2002–2003 AWD: 71.5 in (1,816 mm)
2004–2005: 72.5 in (1,842 mm)
2002–2003 Mercury Mountaineer

The second-generation Mercury Mountaineer was introduced for the 2002 model year, redesigned alongside the five-door Ford Explorer.[6] Ending its chassis commonality with the Ford Ranger pickup truck, the Explorer/Mountaineer adopted a dedicated platform, introducing four-wheel independent suspension to the model lines. Though sharing much of the same body (from the firewall rearward), designers began to give the model line an identity distinct from the Explorer. While sharing the same roofline and doors, the Mountaineer received different front fenders, hood, front and rear bumpers, liftgate, headlamps and taillamps.

Previewed by a concept vehicle at the 2000 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2002 Mercury Mountaineer marked the introduction of a new design language for the Mercury line. The traditional Mercury silver waterfall grille was made rectangular (along with headlamps wrapping into the hood), introducing silver-trimmed taillamps and satin-silver wheels and badging. In various forms, style elements of the 2002 Mountaineer would appear across the Mercury line during the 2000s, including the Grand Marquis, Montego, Milan, Monterey, and Mariner.

The second-generation Mountaineer carried over the 210 hp (157 kW) 4.0 L SOHC V6 as standard fitment; a 239 hp (178 kW) 4.6 L V8 (shared with the Grand Marquis) replaced the previous 5.0 L V8. A 5-speed automatic transmission was paired with both engines, with either part-time four-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive offered.

In contrast to the single trim level of the first generation, the second generation was expanded to a base Convenience trim (slotted between the Explorer XLT/Eddie Bauer) and a deluxe Premier trim (slotted above the Explorer Limited) to align with trims offered on other Mercury models. The Mountaineer Premier offered features including a rear TV/DVD player, rear ceiling air vents, chrome exhaust tip and roof rack, and body-color bumpers.

## Third generation (2006–2010)

[edit]

Motor vehicle

Third generation (U251)

Overview
Production| 2005–2010
Model years| 2006–2010
Body and chassis
Platform| Ford U2 platform
Related| Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford Ranger
Lincoln Aviator
Powertrain
Engine| 4.0 L Cologne V6
4.6 L Modular V-8
Transmission| 5-speed 5R55E automatic
6-speed 6R automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 113.7 in (2,888 mm)
Length| 2006–2007: 193.4 in (4,912 mm)
2008–2010: 193.5 in (4,915 mm)
Width| 2006–2007: 73.5 in (1,867 mm)
2008–2010: 73.7 in (1,872 mm)
Height| 72.8 in (1,849 mm)
2006–2010 Mercury Mountaineer dashboard

The third-generation Mercury Mountaineer was introduced for the 2006 model year, again serving as a counterpart of the Ford Explorer. Though unchanged in wheelbase, the model line rode on an all-new chassis, gaining nearly three inches in length. In contrast to the Explorer, the third-generation Mountaineer retained many styling elements from the previous generation, introducing clear-lens taillamps, fender-mounted turn signal repeaters, larger wheels, satin-silver trim for the sideview mirrors and bumpers; the grille and tailgate received larger Mercury emblems.

Following the discontinuation of the Lincoln Aviator, the Mountaineer again served as the premium mid-size SUV offering of the Lincoln-Mercury division. To better differentiate the model line from the Explorer Eddie Bauer and Limited, Lincoln-Mercury upgraded the interior trim of the Mountaineer and carried over various features from the discontinued Aviator, including the option of a DVD-based navigation system with voice control (not offered on any Explorer until 2008). As an option, the Mountaineer Premier offered power-retracting running boards (a feature adopted from the larger Lincoln Navigator, not introduced on the Explorer until 2007).

The Mountaineer carried over the 210 hp (157 kW) 4.0 L SOHC V6 as the standard engine, introducing a 292 hp (218 kW) 4.6-liter Modular 24-valve V8 as an option (replacing the previous 16-valve version). V6 engines were paired with a 5-speed 5R55W automatic transmission; V8 engines received an all-new 6R 6-speed automatic.

During its production, the third-generation Mountaineer saw relatively few functional changes. For 2007, "MOUNTAINEER" badging was returned to the doors (after a four-year absence). For 2008, side-curtain airbags were made standard. For 2009, trailer-sway control was made standard on examples equipped for towing. The navigation system was upgraded, including traffic flow monitoring and live updates on fuel prices from nearby service stations.[7] For 2010, all trim levels received the Ford MyKey system as a standard feature; the system is a programmable security system designed for vehicles owned by multiple drivers.

## Discontinuation

[edit]

For 2000, the Mountaineer was the third-best-selling Mercury (behind the Sable and Grand Marquis); ten years later, the model line had become the slowest-selling vehicle of the brand. Following the June 2010 announcement by Ford Motor Company to shelve the Mercury brand, 2010 would be the end of Mountaineer production; production ended in mid-December 2010.[2][8]

Unlike the Milan, Mariner, and Grand Marquis, the Mountaineer was not produced for a short 2011 model year. While the Ford Fusion and Ford Escape has seen only detail changes for 2011 (the Ford Crown Victoria had already ended retail sales in North America), the Ford Explorer underwent a major redesign for 2011; along with several major changes to the model line, the Explorer no longer shared a body with any divisional counterparts.

Since 2020 production, Lincoln has marketed a revived Lincoln Aviator. Though again based on the Ford Explorer, the Aviator now shares no visible body panels with its Ford counterpart.

## Firestone tire controversy

[edit]

Main article: Firestone vs Ford Motor Company controversy

In May 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Ford and Firestone about the high incidence of tire failure on first generation Mountaineers, first and second generation Ford Explorers, and Mazda Navajo 3-doors fitted with Firestone tires. Ford investigated and found that several models of 15-inch (381 mm) Firestone tires (ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness AT) had very high failure rates, especially those made at Firestone's Decatur, Illinois plant.

## Awards

[edit]

* Class Exclusive Roll Stability Control (RSC) System.
* Consumers Digest Best Buy for 2006 and 2007.

## Sales

[edit]

Calendar Year  | American sales

|

1996  | 26,700[9]
1997  | 45,363[10]
1998  | 47,595
1999[11] | 49,281
2000  | 46,547
2001[12] | 45,574
2002[13] | 48,144
2003  | 49,692
2004[14] | 43,916
2005  | 32,491
2006[15] | 29,567
2007  | 23,850
2008[16] | 10,596
2009[17] | 5,169
2010[18] | 5,791

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Filipponio, Frank (July 12, 2010). "Mercury production to cease in late September?". Autoblog.
2. ^ a b "Ford Motor Company Louisville Assembly Plant – Louisville, Kentucky, USA". Ford Authority. Motrolix. May 21, 2019. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020.
3. ^ Saur, Brendan (August 27, 2023). "Curbside Classic: 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada - Lacking Bravado". Curbside Classic. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
4. ^ "Imagine yourself in a Mercury - 1997 Mountaineer" (PDF). autobrochures.com. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
5. ^ "Mercury Mountaineer 1999" (PDF). auto-brochures.com. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
6. ^ "2002 Mercury Mountaineer". Archived from the original on May 6, 2001. Retrieved May 6, 2001.
7. ^ "2009 Mercury Mountaineer Review & Ratings". Edmunds.
8. ^ "Ford to Expand Lincoln Lineup and Brand Emphasis; Mercury Production Ends in Fourth Quarter of 2010" (Press release). Ford Motor Company. June 2, 2010. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011.
9. ^ "Ford Revitalization Plan for its operation in North America with the annual income goal of USD 7 bil - MarkLines Automotive Industry Portal". Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
10. ^ "Pickups and sport utility sales continue to climb in the United States" (Press release). Ford Motor Company. February 19, 1999. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013.
11. ^ "Ford Motor Company Sets New Full Year U.S. Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
12. ^ "Ford Motor Company's December U.S. Sales Climb 8.2 Percent" (PDF) (Press release). Ford Motor Company.
13. ^ "Ford's F-Series Truck Caps 22nd Year in a Row as America's Best-Selling Vehicle With a December Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. November 17, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
14. ^ "Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999". Theautochannel.com. November 17, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
15. ^ "Ford Motor Company 2007 sales" (Press release). January 3, 2008.
16. ^ "F-Series drives ford to higher market share for third consecutive month" (PDF) (Press release). Ford Motor Company. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2009. Retrieved May 14, 2009.
17. ^ "Ford Caps 2009 With 33 Percent Sales Increase, First Full-Year Market Share Gain Since 1995" (Press release). Media.ford.com. January 5, 2010. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
18. ^ "Ford's 2010 Sales Up 19 Percent - Largest Increase of Any Full-Line Automaker; Foundation Set For Growth In 2011" (PDF) (Press release). January 4, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2011.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercury Mountaineer.

* Mercury Mountaineer homepage (2006) at archive.org

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A division of Ford Motor Company, 1939–2011

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