DecodedCars2010 Mercury Mountaineer
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 4.6L 8-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints7 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 78 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 18% below the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 47 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.6L 8-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 21 highway), 18% worse than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2010
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Mountaineer — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Mountaineer →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountaineer 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -18% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Mountaineer 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -23% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Mountaineer AWD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -13% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Mountaineer AWD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -18% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Mercury Mountaineer (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2010 Toyota 4Runner | 20 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2010 Chevrolet Suburban | 17 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner · Apr 20, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V161000 · 33,256 vehicles
- Problem
- FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINT." THE RECLINER GEAR PLATE TEETH MAY BE OUT OF DIMENSION SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN LIMITED PAWL TO GEAR PLATE TOOTH ENGAGEMENT.
- Risk
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Not every 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Mercury Mountaineer buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Seat Belts — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Mercury Mountaineer. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Mountaineer years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Mountaineer | 17 | – | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 Mountaineer | 16 | – | Not rated | 0 | 39 |
| 2007 Mountaineer | 16 | – | Not rated | 0 | 32 |
| 2006 Mountaineer | 16 | – | Not rated | 0 | 25 |
| 2005 Mountaineer | 16 | – | Not rated | 0 | 23 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercury. How we calculate this →