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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2001–2011

Mercury Mariner recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 1,296 owner complaints for the Mercury Mariner, covering model years 2001 to 2011. The 2008 model year drew the most complaints (461), and Steering is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercury Mariner VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,296 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 11 model years with data (2001–2011)
  • most complaints: 2008 (461 for that model year)
  • top component: Steering (557 complaints)
  • latest recall 16V777000 (reported Oct 26, 2016)
  • 35 complaints reporting a crash (2.7%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a fire (0.2%)
  • 23 complaints reporting an injury (1.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mercury Mariner complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008 model year has the most complaints: 461 of 1,296, or 35.6%. Next come 2009 (315) and 2010 (270). The fewest are for 2007, with 33 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercury Mariner owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2005–2011Column chart of 1,296 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2008 with 461. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2005: 67 complaints6720052006: 63 complaints6320062007: 33 complaints3320072008: 461 complaints46120082009: 315 complaints31520092010: 270 complaints27020102011: 87 complaints872011
Mercury Mariner complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercury Mariner complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2005677070
2006635030
2007331010
20084619050
20093159030
20102702230
2011872010
All model years1,296352230

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercury Mariner components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Steering is the component named most often, in 557 complaints (43.0% of all 1,296), followed by Power Train (231) and Vehicle Speed Control (179).

Components named most often in Mercury Mariner complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercury Mariner complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Steering55743.0%
Power Train23117.8%
Vehicle Speed Control17913.8%
Engine16212.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System1098.4%
Electrical System1058.1%
Unknown or Other574.4%
Service Brakes513.9%
Fuel System, Gasoline362.8%
Air Bags312.4%
Engine and Engine Cooling302.3%
Suspension241.9%
Structure231.8%
Visibility181.4%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)161.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercury Mariner recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Mariner, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2001 to 2011. The 2006 and 2008 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Mercury Mariner recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2001: 1 campaign2002: 1 campaign2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign2005: 2 campaigns2006: 3 campaigns2007: 2 campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: 1 campaign
2010: 2 campaigns2011: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 16V777000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2010–2011

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.

    Consequence:
    A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 15V606000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (PRNDL)

    Model years 2001–2008

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

    Consequence:
    If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 14V526000

    Reported

    Hybrid Propulsion System

    Model years 2006–2008

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.

    Consequence:
    If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 14V284000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model years 2008–2011

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

    Consequence:
    If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 06V111000

    Reported

    Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint

    Model year 2005

    Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moonroofs fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." During testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim area.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will make modifications to the energy absorbing material located above the headliner in the affected area free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 05V520000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor

    Model year 2006

    On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.

    Consequence:
    After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 22, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or Lincoln/Mercury at 1-800-521-4140.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercury Mariner questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercury Mariner have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercury Mariner, covering model years 2001 to 2011. The most recent, 16V777000, was reported on October 26, 2016 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2006 and 2008 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Mercury Mariner model year has the most complaints?

The 2008 model year, with 461 of the 1,296 complaints in NHTSA’s file (35.6%). The next are 2009 (315) and 2010 (270). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercury Mariner complaint?

Steering is the component named most often: 557 complaints, or 43.0% of all 1,296. Power Train (231) and Vehicle Speed Control (179) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercury Mariner?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercury dealer.

How many Mercury Mariner complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,296 complaints, 35 report a crash, 2 a fire, 23 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercury models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercury models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercury VIN decoder with every Mercury model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercury models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.