Once the key is inserted the seat will move into position and the interior lights turn off. That is what should happen. What happens is my knee nudges the key the car will think I have taken the key out and will turn the interior lights on and move my seat all the way back to its out position. This can cause an accident because me feet no longer touch the pedals. As soon as this happened my air bag light came on but no codes are showing. This has happened multiple times and I am surprised there is not a recall for this since there are others suffering with this as well that I have seen posted in online forums.

- Springfield, MA, USA

Engine will not turn over. All electronics work. Keep turning ignition key on and off sometimes it will start in a few minutes other times it has to sit for a half hour or more. Dome light will come on for no reason. After reading others having same issues, I turned on easy access and slightly turned ignition key and sure enough the seat went back and dome light came on. This vehicle has been to a Ford dealer numerous times, once towed, and they can't seem to duplicate the problem. Thanks to this website I now have more information and hopefully will be able to get this on going issue fixed. The easy access is always turned off. The no crank no start is the big problem because I can't go anywhere for just a half hour and be confident it will start.

- South Bend, IN, USA

I purchased this used vehicle which is in excellent shape and I love everything about it except the seat issue. After having the car for about a week the power seat started moving on its own. The interior lights will come on and the actual navigation/radio system and driving lights dim. I have looked online and this seems to be a constant problem and is basically the ignition area that needs to be replaced. I have almost been in a few accidents because of this and have 2 small children. My mother had to drive my car one day and she pulled over in complete fear because of almost wrecking. There has to be some type of recall to fix this problem. Every bump you hit this happens now. Multiple times in a 10 min drive. It is seriously dangerous. Please respond asap! thank you! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Orwigsburg, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while traveling 70 mph, the driver's seat moved backward independently as all of the indicator lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inadvertently touched the ignition switch and the seat moved to its normal position. The contact was able to continue driving but the failure recurred. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and once it was restarted it resumed normal operation. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 73,800 and the current mileage 74,900.

- Cake Coral, FL, USA

While driving the vehicle, the seat suddenly went all the way back and the interior lights came on. After a moment, the seat went back to normal position and the lights went back out. This has happened several times since then, we finally figured out it was the ignition, with the car acting like the key just got put in the ignition or just pulled out, and the seat moving all the way back for easier ingress/egress and the courtesy lights coming on. Since I am only 5 foot 2 inches, when the seat moves back I can no longer reach the petals, a very dangerous situation while driving. I hope this gets fixed before somebody gets hurt, as I have a couple friends with Mountaineer, one is the same year, who have the same problem.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

If I hit a bump or pothole while driving, the driver's seat moves to the easy exit position the dome lights come on. Happens also if you bump the steering wheel or if you touch the key when it is in the ignition. It has happens while backing out in drive. Stalled the engine twice. Turning the key slightly will put the seat back into the set position. I am only 5' 5", so when the seat goes back while I am driving, I am moved too far away from the steering wheel and the brake and gas pedals. Mechanic inspection indicates it is a problem with the ignition switch and has quoted it as a $203 repair.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the front driver's seat moved back independently and the dome light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that they could not find a defect in the seating switch but the failure still persisted. The manufacture was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 66,600. Updated 3/14/14

- Ballston Lake, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the front driver's seat reclined independently as the dome light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Ridgewood, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the driver's side seat independently engaged into the easy exit position as the interior lights flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and repairs. The ignition and seat switch were replaced, however the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Hampton, VA, USA

The issue started out while we were driving; the seat would move to the easy exit feature and the dome lights would come on as though the key was removed from the ignition. It's now more frequent and happens when you put the key in the ignition. Turning the key slightly will put in back into the driving position. This is a serious driving hazard as you're moved very far away from the steering wheel as well as the brake and gas pedals. Sadly, it will take a deadly accident occurring for this to be considered a recall.

- Bethel Park, PA, USA

There is a recurring problem that the seat will automatically go into the "easy exit" position. This is not a problem for me as I drive with the seat as far back as possible, but this is a huge safety concern for my wife. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? this seems to be a common problem in this make and model. God forbid the electrical problem worsens and causes a fire.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

While driving the driver seat slides back into exit form and it is hard to reach the gas and brakes and the interior lights come on. This happens periodically while driving if you touch the ignition as if you are going to start the vehicle the seat will go back into place and the interior lights will go off.

- El-Paso, TX, USA

Driver seat moves back into exit position and interior lights come on while driving. This happens at any speed periodically and while going over bumps. I am very short so when this happens I have a difficult time reaching the gas/brake. I have 4 young children and this is a very big safety issue while driving.

- El Paso, TX, USA

When you hit a bump while driving the driver's seat moves all the way back to the easy enter/exit position and the dome light comes on. I am a short person of 5' and when this happens I cannot reach the peddles and have to extend my arms all the way to reach the steering wheel. I have to reach down and manually move the seat back. Since my speed decreases suddenly I am afraid someone will rear end me one day. I understand that this is happening on more than one 2008 Mercury Mountaineer and to have it repaired will cost hundreds of dollars. I am retired with a disability and on a fixed income and cannot afford to have this fixed. This is a serious safety hazard and do not know why Ford will not issue a recall. I hope no one is seriously or fatally injured because of this issue.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph over a road bump, the front driver's side power seat moved backward and forward independently. The interior lights began to illuminate as the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 72,222.

- Jackson, TN, USA

While driving the vehicle, the driver's seat will move backwards to the "easy exit" position without warning. It does this whenever the vehicle is jarred from road conditions or when the driver's knee bumps the ignition. This happens at low and high speeds. My wife is short and this defect moves her out of reach of the brake pedal. This happens nearly every time we drive the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous and needs to be recalled and fixed.

- Orleans, IN, USA

While driving on the freeway, the driver's seat moved backwards. I was unable to reach the brake or gas and was nearly in an accident as I was unaware as to what was going on. The dome lights and the exterior exit lights lit up as well. Since this date, this has happened numerous times. It is a major safety issue and should become a recall.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that the driver seat memory adjusting system failed and caused the driver seat to erroneously move backwards. The contact was able to move the key forward to place the seat back to normal setting. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic who stated that the failure was located at the ignition cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 65,000. Updated 3/13/13 updated 03/19/13

- West Palm Beach , FL, USA

While driving on highway drivers seat went forward independently without warning and seat went in the last memory position as far forward as possible position jamming drivers foot on gas pedal for an unspecified amount of time, and dome light came on. Driver could not get foot off gas pedal and could only get the seat to go back by manually using the seat buttons. Drivers seat was so far forward it was very difficult for driver to get hand between door and seat to get to button and driver was so frantic and scared trying to maintain vehicle control while attempting to get hand between seat and door to reach and find correct button to move seat back when there are 3 different seat buttons. Driver has disabled person that sets behind drivers seat so drivers seat upon disabled person entering vehicle is always put in the fartherest position forward to enable disabled person space to get in vehicle. Upon finally getting seat back driver has no recollection of any events occurring afterward because driver went into shock. Took vehicle to dealership to find problem shop manager got in attempting to duplicate problem instead the seat wouldn't even move as it's automatically programmed to do, then seat rocked back and forth, then went all the way forward. Dealership made two new ignition keys to replace the worn key, replaced computer memory cylinder in steering wheel where it was found if worn ignition key lost contact because of key being worn, with cylinder, seat had a mind of it's own. This resulted in a speeding ticket.

- Garden City, KS, USA

Purchased a used 2008 Mercury Mountaineer almost a year ago, in approx Oct 2012 the driver's seat started moving back and forth while driving. When the seat moved back it was almost so far back I couldn't hold onto steering wheel or keep foot on brake pedal. Took vehicle to mccoy mills Ford and they could not duplicate occurrence. Since that date this has happened multiple times and I figured out it has something to do with the ignition switch. If the car gets any minor jolt as in riding on rough street or going over speed bump, ignition apparently shift which triggers something in the sensor and off you go. Most recent occurrence was on 12/11/2012 while driving through a local walmart parking lot; slowly went over speed bump and seat started moving on its own. Since the occurrences are becoming more frequent decided to take care back in now that I know it has something to do with ignition switch. Called Ford customer care center and spoke to a rep who stated they didn't have any recalls for such a matter and my bumper-to-bumper had expired so I would have to incur cost to repair. Went back to mccoy mills Ford was told that the keysense would need to be replaced and cost would be $390 - $400+. this should really be a recall item, especially after reading the number of postings on this site for the same thing.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA