Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||||
| 12760 | 05/01/1999 | 607081 | Concerns with lack of heat and / or malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0125. *tt | 11/03/2000 | |
| 7322 | 11/01/1999 | 610776 | Some vehicles built between 12/1/1998 and 8/31/1999 equipped with 5.0l engine may exhibit a lack of heat, exhaust sulphur smell and / or malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0125. *tt | 05/12/2000 | |
| 13414 | 10/01/1999 | 609677 | Exhibiting a lack of heat, exhaust sulphur smell and / or malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0125. *tt | 04/06/2000 | |
| 6309 | 06/01/1999 | 606790 | Exhibiting a lack of heat and / or a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) lamp on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0125. *tt | 09/02/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - REAR WINDOW | |||||
| 04189 | 12/13/2004 | 04245 | 10014062 | Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt | 04/27/2005 |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING | |||||
| 041514 | 08/09/2004 | 04189 | 10011159 | Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt | 01/04/2005 |
| 031501 | 07/12/2004 | 04137 | 10009321 | Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. *tt | 09/23/2004 |
| 13084 | 08/01/1999 | 6091890 | Information on damaged, scratched, scuffed manual a/c control knobs. *tt | 11/16/2000 | |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||||
| 01156 | 08/06/2001 | 623944 | Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc | 10/31/2001 | |
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||||
| 5297 | 12/01/1998 | 615403 | Information on vehicles equipped with an optional travel / note digital voice memo recorder. *tt | 01/16/2001 | |
| 12212 | 12/01/1998 | 615472 | Information on vehicles equipped with an optional travel / note digital voice memo recorder. *tt | 01/16/2001 | |
| 13512 | 11/01/1999 | 614636 | A condition may exist where the left front power window is inoperative. *tt | 11/29/2000 | |
| 12703 | 05/01/1999 | 6091674 | Some vehicles may exhibit a concern with the power window(s) becoming inoperative. *tt | 11/09/2000 | |
| 6202 | 05/01/1999 | 607023 | Addressing customers concern of inoperative power windows. *tt | 11/03/2000 | |
| 7536 | 11/01/1999 | 610862 | Some vehicles may exhibit the left front power window inoperative. *tt | 05/16/2000 | |
| 9912703 | 08/01/1999 | 609026 | Customer may complain that the power window(s) may become inoperative. *tt | 12/06/1999 | |
| 12580 | 03/01/1999 | 605309 | Vehicles may exhibit various noises from the power window regulator during operation. *tt | 06/08/1999 | |
| 12577 | 03/01/1999 | 605304 | Vehicle may exhibit a squeaking noise from the door(s) power window glass during operation. *tt | 06/08/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES | |||||
| 996804 | 08/01/1999 | 608775 | Concerns with outside passenger or driver side mirror slightly fulttering / shaking at highway speeds. *tt | 12/03/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR | |||||
| 9913072 | 08/01/1999 | 609036 | Vehicles may exhibit an outside passenger or driver side mirror slight flutter / shake at highway speeds. *tt | 12/07/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER | |||||
| 15406 | 11/01/2001 | 630418 | Concerns with rear wipers that do not sufficiently clean the back glass. *tt | 04/17/2002 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||||
| 15155 | 08/01/2001 | 624934 | On some vehicles the rear wiper arm fails to clean back glass. *et | 11/15/2001 | |
| 6582 | 07/01/1999 | 614753 | Some vehicles may exhibit front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 12/13/2000 | |
| 13310 | 10/01/1999 | 6092133 | The rear wiper blade on some vehicles built through 1/22/99 may flip over when run through soft cloth style car washes. *tt | 11/27/2000 | |
| 13102 | 08/01/1999 | 6091907 | Some vehicles may exhibit front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 11/16/2000 | |
| 12582 | 03/01/1999 | 6091819 | Some vehicles may exhibit front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 11/15/2000 | |
| 6536 | 07/01/1999 | 610676 | Some vehicles may exhibit front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 05/10/2000 | |
| 13337 | 10/01/1999 | 609618 | Some vehicles built prior to 9/15/99 may exhibit front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 04/04/2000 | |
| 7238 | 10/01/1999 | 6090816 | A condition with the rear wiper blade on vehicles built through 1/22/1999 may flip over when run through soft cloth style car washes. *tt | 03/30/2000 | |
| 13252 | 09/01/1999 | 6090653 | Continued from 13251, uncommanded front wiper function . *mjs | 03/22/2000 | |
| 13251 | 09/01/1999 | 6090651 | Information regarding uncommanded front wiper function (continued on 13252 and 13253). *mjs | 03/22/2000 | |
| 9912942 | 08/01/1999 | 609029 | Concerns with uncommanded front wiper function activating without command. *tt | 12/07/1999 | |
| 12909 | 06/01/1999 | 606939 | Customers may complain of front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 09/08/1999 | |
| 12826 | 06/01/1999 | 606897 | Experiencing front wipers activation without command. *tt | 09/07/1999 | |
| 6407 | 06/01/1999 | 606832 | Exhibiting front windshield wiper activation without command. *tt | 09/03/1999 | |
| 5934 | 03/01/1999 | 605262 | Complaints that the front wipers activate without command. *tt | 06/07/1999 | |
| 5799 | 03/01/1999 | 605212 | Complaints that the rear wiper blade flips over. *tt | 06/04/1999 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | ||||||
| PE99049 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/28/1999 | 04/24/2000 | WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION | 00V072000 | |
| Odi has received 35 complaints alleging malfunction of the windshield wipers on certain 1997-1999 ford explorers and mercury mountaineers.the complainants allege that the wiper system is prone to erratic operation including failure to operate consistently during precipitiation as well as inadvertent operation when the control switch is disengaged.of the 35 complaints received,11 allege that the wipers stopped sweeping the windshield without warning, 16 allege inadvertent operation, and 8 allege to have experience both conditions.wipers are a critical automotive safety system without which a vehicle operator is unable to adequately see the road surface and other vehicles during precipitation.this inability to see could result in a crash.a preliminary evaluation is warranted to invetigate the alleged problem. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 10/01/2007 | 70000 | 1 | |
| Front wipers stop working. this occurs abruptly without regard to weather conditions, time the car is running, etc. i have replaced both the motor and the switch. the wipers still fail. this is very dangerous. *tr | |||
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR | |||
| 09/01/2005 | 1 | 10/01/2004 | |
| 1999 mercury mountaineer developed problems with the windshield wipers, tires, driver's side mirror, linkage on the transmission, check engine light and the airbag light.*mr | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 11/30/1999 | 1 | 11/01/2099 | |
| This is a design problem. the defroster even on highest heat and fan setting, along with the wipers on highest speed, cannot keep the windshield from freezing up at any/all speeds when snow is falling on the vehicle. the driver must stop every few miles and clear off the windshield, especially the passenger side, or else the windshield wipers stop working (jammed by the ice on the windshield). it is clearly a major safefy defect in the 1999 mercury mountaineer when driven in the snow. | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 09/01/2005 | 1 | 10/01/2004 | |
| 1999 mercury mountaineer developed problems with the windshield wipers, tires, driver's side mirror, linkage on the transmission, check engine light and the airbag light.*mr | |||
| 70000 | 7 | ||
| Brakes failed seven times within 70,000 miles. an independent mechanic determined that the gem control module was the problem. when the gem control module malfunctioned, the brakes failed, and the 4-wheel drive didn't operate. also, windshield wipers operated intermittently. *ak | |||
| Windshield wipers come on uncommanded - - intermittently. occurs most often when making a left-hand turn. often happens when using turn signal lever. occurs less frequently when traveling in a straight line. the speed of the wipers is also affected, most often starts in the slow speed mode, wiper speed remains the same despite increase/decrease by turning switch. | |||
| Windshield wipers will turn on by themselves without touching switch, and they will not function on high speed, causing a distraction or poor visibility. *ak | |||
| 02/01/1999 | 100 | 02/01/1999 | |
| No summary. | |||
| 02/01/1999 | 9999 | 12/01/1998 | |
| Shortly after car was purchased, the windshield wipers started to go on when they weren't prompted to do so. channel 7 news did a report on this and called them phantom wipers. the problem they reported is the exact problem i am having. also, when it rains heavily and i need the fast wiper speed, only the slow one works even when i put it on for the fast speed. this is very distracting. the wipers go on and off at any time - there is no consistency to when this happens. this is ruining the windshield as it has dry wipers go on and off and moving dirt constantly across the glass - must be doing some kind of damage to the glass and of course wearing the wipers out - all causing me unncessary expenses. it is extremely ridiculous to be told - there is no fix. pleeeeeeeeaaaaaassssseeeee do something about this. i have always purchased only mercury cars - for the quality and the service. i can assure you this is the last mercury vehicle i will purchase. | |||
| 03/10/1999 | 7 | ||
| Windshied wipers fail to work properly. would stop or go on their own. causing poor visibility to driver. had wipers repaired seven times so far. been through lemon law. problem has since returned. *ak | |||
| 05/01/1999 | |||
| Windshield wipers would intermittently come on while switch is in off mode, or when turn signal is used. also wiper would stop working while operating. dealer notifed and waiting on repair parts. *ak | |||
| 09/09/1999 | |||
| Windshield wipers come on all by themselves when consumer least expects. *ak | |||
| 04/16/1999 | 1 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Vehicle was being driven in heavy rain in dark early morning hours on i-94 in se michigan. when passing a tractor trailer, the windshield wipers (front and rear) spontaneously failed. vehicle was driven off at next exit, and wipers would not operate. driven back to dealer in dry daylight hours for warranty fix. nothing conclusive found, then i read about your investigation in the newspapaer on 8/20/99. | |||
| 07/13/1999 | |||
| While making a right turn consumer hit a bump and the windshield wipers came on, steering wheel went to the right, and the consumer almost hit an enbankment. *ak | |||
| 06/06/1999 | |||
| For no apparent reason the windshield wipers come on and go off without application. the dealer has been notified about this problem. part to correct is on national back order. *ak | |||
| 06/15/1999 | 11/16/1998 | ||
| Windshield wipers would turn on automatically without indications. occurs on bumps and turns when initializing turn signal. *ak *yc | |||
| Windshield wipers come on by themselves and stay on. sometimes they do not come on even with application. dealer replaced the switch, but problem still exists. *ak | |||
| Windshield wipers have to be turned on high in order to function. when the wipers are on, they run at slow pace. dealer can not fix them. *ak | |||
| 12/22/1998 | |||
| Windshield wipers are working intermittently, and sometime's don't work at all. *ak | |||
| 06/23/1999 | 5 | ||
| When traveling and upon hitting a bump in the raod, the windshield wipers come on intermittently, causing the blades to wear. also, air conditioner is blowing out hot air. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has yet to replace parts. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 04/19/1999 | 100 | 01/01/1999 | |
| The windshield wipers come on spontaneously. they do not operate at high speed unless i activate my turn signal which will activate the high speed (but not always). a right hand turn (with or without turn signal) seems to trigger them to come on (but not always). when they do come on spontaneously, they will be in the pause mode at different intervals. they stop operating just as spontaneously. they have come on at times even before i leave my driveway, sometimes after 20 miles or more, but usually within 1-2 miles of driving. the service representative at varsity told me he had never heard of the problem, but the next day he told me he had 5 vehicles that morning with the same problem and that ford engineers were looking into it. i have a fear the wipers will not operate in a rainstorm and i will have an accident. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| Windshield wipers come on by themselves, distracting the driver. dealer claims module is on back order. *ak | |||