2000 Mercury Mountaineer recalls

Vehicle speed control

Summary

On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

Consequence

This could result in an underhood fire.

Remedy

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline

• Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary

Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.

Consequence

Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Remedy

Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

Summary

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.

Consequence

The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Vehicle speed control › Cables

Summary

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0L sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.

Consequence

The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Seat belts

Summary

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with TRW seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Consequence

In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began October 26, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Air bags › Side/window

Summary

Vehicle description: 4-door sport utility vehicles equipped with side air bags. The subject vehicles have a revised level side crash sensor that could deploy the side air bag if the ignition key is in the "run" position and the seatbelt webbing is forcibly extracted from a locked retractor with a jerking motion.

Consequence

Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

Summary

Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines and all-time 4-wheel drive (A4WD) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4X4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or, in some cases if the function is on, could not be turned off.

Consequence

An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

This recall on nhtsa.gov