Mercury Mariner Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercury Mariner options? We analyzed 7 model years (2005–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercury Mariner has 524 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 2005–2011. The most reported issue area is STEERING.
- Make
- Mercury
- Model
- Mariner
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2011 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 524
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Top reported issue area
- STEERING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MERCURY MARINER has 524 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. 14 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 524 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 0 federal recall campaigns
- 14 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
0 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
No NHTSA recalls were found in our database for this model. Always verify open recalls using your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 524 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
524 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Vehicle sub-frame broke at point where lower control arm attaches, causing Right front wheel to suddenly turn right. Sub-frame rusted through!
AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUT OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS BEEN DRIVEN IT WILL SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND ME AND MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT ANY SPEED AND EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR NOT EVEN A MILE BEFORE IT TOTALLY SHUTS OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS DAUGHTER TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 -20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER VEHICLES. A TOWING COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CV-JOINT WERE FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E045000 (SUSPENSION) WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO, AFTER THE WHEEL COLLAPSED ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
ENGINE SUDDENLY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MESSAGE ON DASH SAYS TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE.
RECALL FOR COOLANT PUMP ON HYBRID SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN HYBRID ELECTRONIC OVERHEATING CAUSING A STALL LIKE CONDITION RECALL WAS ADDRESSED BY DEALERSHIP BACK ON 7/20/2015 2ND OWNER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 9 MNTHS - HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN WITH DASH LIGHT ADVISING TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY AND THE SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN DIRECTLY AFTER - BRAKES /STEERING ETC. FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT - TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP - UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE 2ND INCIDENT - TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL MECHANICS SHOP - CHANGED OUT NORMAL VEHICLE BATTERY 3RD INCIDENT - CAUSED DRIVER TO ROLL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT - STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLE
THE GEAR SHIFT IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. IT GOES FROM PARK TO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. SOMETIME IT WONT REVERSE AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. IT CLICK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. IVE REPLACE THE SWITCH TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK BUT IT DOESNT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS THE SAME RECALL 15V606000 FOR OTHER VEHICALS OF THE SAME TYPE
Read 14 more owner reports
WHILE DEIVING A MESSAGE ON THE DASH STATED TO STOP WHILE IT IS SAFE. THE CAR PROCEDED TO STALL. IT COULD NOT BE STARTED. I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND REQUIRED TO CALL FOR HELP TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR LATER THAT DAY TO DRIVE IT HOME. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME IT HAPPENED OVER AN 18 MONTH PERIOD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD DURING ANY OF THESE EVENTS. I DID HAVE THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE MCHANIC. REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME OR WHETHER I SHOULD CONTINUE USING THE VEHICLE.
THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 60-70 MPH. A RED TRIANGLA IS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE, PULL OVER STOP SAFELY NOW. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER DRIVING G APPROXAMATELY 30 MILES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE CAR RESTARTS WITHIN 30 SECONDS AND WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN EVERY 5 MINS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY DINT TURN WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING. ME AND MY PASSENGERS SOMEHOW ESCAPED THE LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC. IT WAS MY CARS SUB FRAME THAT WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT IT BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS AFTER I SERVICE MY CAR EVERY NOW AND THEN. ITS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO SPEND SO MUCH DUE TO THIS CARELESSNESS FROM THE COMPANY.
MY VEHICLE: 2006 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID SUV. PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. IN HOT WEATHER...VEHICLE ENGINE QUITS WHILE IN MOTION ON FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH (3 TIMES), AND CITY STREETS (3 TIMES). EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN ENGINE QUITS WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC. ALL YOU CAN DO (WHILE PRAYING!) IS COAST TO A STOP AND DO YOUR BEST TO PULL OFF ON TO SHOULDER OF ROAD WITHOUT CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES. WE HAVE TRIED 3 TIMES TO GET FORD MOTOR TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM...ALL TO NO AVAIL. THE LAST TIME WE HAD TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $1,500. HOWEVER, FORD MOTOR DID REIMBURSE US! BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. NOT TRUE! ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. FOR10 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT WAS--AT ALL TIMES--A DANGER TO OUR LIVES. FORD MOTOR SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY AND EITHER REPLACED THE VEHICLE WITH A ANOTHER ONE, OR TRULY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I FEEL FORD MOTOR HAS LIABILITY IN THIS MATTER. THE LAST TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS JULY 16, 2017.
2 ISSUES THAT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT ASSIST.(JORDAN FORD)UPPER SHOCK BUSING FROM P/S REAR SHOCK CAME OUT CAUSING SHOCK ROD TO MAKE EXCESSIVE NOISE AND CONTACT BODY, AS WELL AS RUST FROM P/S INNER WHEEL WHEEL. ONLY THAT LOCATION.APPEARS TO BE A RUSTPROOFING ISSUE.REST OF TRUCK IN GREAT CONDITION. SOON TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF I DO NOT HAVE REPAIRED.
AFTER A SHORT 30 MINUTE VISIT TO OUR VET, MY WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. RESTART OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE, SO SHE CAREFULLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME 10 MILES. LUCKILY IT FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED A B3377 FAULT CODE (EPS MOTOR MALFUNCTION), AND TOLD ME THE STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACEMENT ($2200).
THE FRONT SUB-FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE LIVE IN A SALT ZONE (MICHIGAN). THERE IS ALSO VISIBLE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE EXTERIOR. WE WERE DRIVING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL STARTED BOWING OUT AND WE STARTED VIBRATING. WE GOT TO SAFETY BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED.
MY MERCURY MARINER'S IDLER PULLEY HAS ALREADY BROKEN THREE TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR IS VERY GOOD AND TOO STRONG FOR THAT THIN BOLT IN THIS PART. LUCKILY, THE FOURTH TIME IT HAPPENED, THE FORD DEALER DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR THE NEW PART, WHICH ALSO BROKE OFF TWO WEEKS LATER. IT HAS ALSO BROKEN TWO BELTS ALREADY. TRYING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, I WENT TO METRIC BOLTS AND NUTS, IN WAKEFIELD, MA, AND BOUGHT A HIGHER GRADE HARDENED STEEL BOLT/SCREW, AND IT ALSO BROKE OFF A WEEK LATER. ONCE AGAIN, TWO DAYS AGO, MY MECHANIC PUT IN ANOTHER HARDENED STEEL SCREW. HE ADDED A NUT NEAR THE BEARING, WHICH MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT IT HAS NOT BROKEN YET. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FAR FROM HOME, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOWED SO MANY TIMES ALREADY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND REALIZED THAT IT IS A CONSTANT ISSUE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE 17 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. IT IS ALSO THE SAME FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH MAZDA TRIBUTE, FORD ESCAPE, FORD FUSION, ETC. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECALL? HELP! HELP! HELP!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE PULL OVER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND SHOCK TOWER IS COMING APART. LOUD THUMP EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AFRAID I COULD LOOSE CONTROL IF SHOCK TOWER RIPS AWAY ANYMORE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IT AS UNDER COATED.
STICKY DASHBOARD, DIS NOT CAUSE ANY INCIDENT BUT CAN AFFECT VISABLITY, NOTICED TODAY
AFTER PLACING THE CAR IN DRIVE, WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE THE CAR THE PEDAL WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DEPRESS IT. THE PEDAL BEGAN TO WORK AFTER STOMPING DOWN WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK FORWARD SUDDENLY. AGAIN AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT THE LIGHT AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES AND STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE PEDAL AGAIN WOULD NOT DEPRESS UNTIL STOMPED ON. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT IN THE COLD AND AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AN EXTENDED TIME PERIOD (OVERNIGHT).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TWO FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES LINES CONNECTED TO THE CALIBER FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Showing 20 of 524 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercury Mariner
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mercury Mariner, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercury Mariner has 524 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercury Mariner has 0 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 14 of the Mercury Mariner's 524 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercury Mariner vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mercury Mariner vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercury Mariner has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Mercury Mariner stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Mercury Mariner by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mercury Mariner.
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Mercury Mariner reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mercury Mariner reliable?
Poor. The Mercury Mariner has 524 NHTSA owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STEERING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercury Mariner years to avoid?
Check individual year pages for complaint breakdowns.
What are the most common Mercury Mariner problems?
Top reported issues: STEERING (306 complaints); POWER TRAIN (77 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (44 complaints).
Does the Mercury Mariner have recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are currently on record for the Mercury Mariner. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.