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First generation
Overview
Also called	Ford Explorer
Production	1997-2001
Body and chassis
Related	Ford Explorer Ford Explorer Sport Trac Ford Ranger Mazda B-Series Mazda Navajo
Powertrain
Engine	4.0 L Cologne V6 5.0 L V8
Transmission	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.60 in.
Length	190.10 in.
Width	70.20 in.
Height	70.50 in.

Second generation
Overview
Also called	Ford Explorer Lincoln Aviator
Production	2002-2005
Body and chassis
Related	Land Rover LR3
Powertrain
Engine	4.0 L Cologne V6 4.6 L Modular V8
Transmission	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	113.70 in.
Length	190.70 in.
Width	72.10 in.
Height	69.60 in.

The Mercury Mountaineer is a luxury SUV manufauctured by the Mercury brand name, owned by the Ford Motor Company. The Mountaineer shares many features with the Ford Explorer, and in terms of hardware, the vehicles are virtually identical. Externally, they are styled somewhat differently, and the Mountainer is positioned with a more upscale interior, with the Mountaineer's MSRP coming in at $1,000–6,000 more than the Explorer. It has been mildly redesigned for the 2006 model year due to a new frame, but looks very similar to its previous model.

First generation (1997-2001)

Although the redesigned Explorer had already been out for 2 years, Mercury introduced a Explorer twin called the Mountaineer. The Mountaineer was only slightly different from the Explorer, although it did offer a few extra luxury features that the Explorer lacked. First year sales for the Mountaineer were not exactly up to par with the Explorer. For 1998, so customers could differentiate the Mountaineer from the Explorer, as the front fascia was flipped upside down, and the headlights were made smaller, while it got a new rear hatch and unique wheels. Mountaineer sales sped up because of this, though they still lagged behind the Explorer. In 2000, a huge punch came to the Mountaineer with the Firestone vs Ford Motor Company controversy, where a large amount of rollovers were happening involving Explorers and Mountaineers. While Ford blamed Firetone's faunty tires, which had problems with the tread separating, Firestone blamed Ford, claiming that the Explorer and Mountaineer were unsafe. The case was settled, and Car and Driver proved that a large amounts of the rollovers were caused by the drivers overracting to the tire blow out.

Second generation (2002-2005)

For 2002, Ford redesigned the Explorer and Mountaineer. This Mountaineer was new from the ground up, offering even more luxury features than the last generation. This Mountaineer offered features like woodgrain trim, rear radio deck, and a rear seat TV/DVD player. Sales sped up drastically with the introduction of this generation, and it was a look ahead at the entire revamp of the Mercury line, to offer more luxurous looks and features. Some design cues found on this Mountaineer, like the waterfall grille and HID taillights, would go on to form Mercury's new signature look that would appear on all its models. This Mountaineer was also the first to not be based on the Ford Ranger.

Third generation (2006-present)

For 2006, the Mountaineer was redesigned. This new Mountaineer was all new, though it closely resembles the previous model. The Mountaineer was mounted on a new frame, and it offered a more upscale interior, to make up for the cut Lincoln Aviator. This Mountaineer got new wheels and HID headlights, a feature not found on previous Mountaineers.

Firestone Tire Controversy

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

The failures all involved tread separation—the tread peeling off followed often by tire disintegration. If that happened, and the vehicle was running at speed, there was a high likelihood of the vehicle leaving the road and rolling over. Many rollovers cause serious injury and even death; it has been estimated that over 250 deaths and more than 3,000 serious injuries resulted from these failures.

Ford and Firestone have both blamed the other for the failures, which has led to the severing of relations between the two companies. Firestone has claimed that they have found no faults in design nor manufacture, and that failures have been caused by Ford's recommended tire pressure being too low and the vehicle's design. Ford, meanwhile, pointed out that tires manufactured by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to the same specification had a spotless safety record when installed on the SUVs. Ford's conclusions were confirmed by NHTSA in their report into the tire failures, published in October 2001.

Many outside observers tend towards blaming both parties; Firestone's tires being prone to tread separation and failure, and the vehicles being especially prone to rolling over if a tire fails at speed compared to other vehicles. However, a subsequent NHTSA investigation of real world accident data showed that the SUVs were no more likely to roll over than any other SUV.

A product recall was announced, allowing the Explorer, Mountaineer, and Navajo owners to change the affected tires for others.

A large number of lawsuits have been filed against both Ford and Firestone, some unsuccessful, some settled out of court, and a few successfully. Lawyers for the plaintiffs have argued that both Ford and Firestone knew of the dangers but did nothing, and that specifically Ford knew that the Explorer was highly prone to rollovers. Ford denied these allegations.

Car and Driver magazine tested a first-generation Explorer with a built-in rollcage and a special device that would flatten the tire at the push of a button. The Explorer did not flip in any of the numerous tests , and that was mostly because the driver managed to stay calm. Everyday Explorer drivers taken by surprise by a tread separation or loss of tire pressure in high speed traffic situations may have panicked and swerved violently, resulting in a significant portion of reported rollovers.

Canadian market

The Mountaineer was never sold in the Canadian market. The Mountaineer's twin, the Ford Explorer, remains to be sold for the Canadian market. Its other twin, the Lincoln Aviator, was also sold for the Canadian market until its demise in 2005.

References

1. Edmunds, 2006 Mountaineer review
2. Forbes, 2000 Mountaineer review

External links

• Mercury Mountaineer official page
• FAQ Farm's Mercury Mountaineer FAQ: wiki question and answer forum]
• Serious Explorations Message Board: Mercury Mountaineer Enthusiast Message Board]

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