Mercury Mariner Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 11, 2026 · 231 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Mercury Mariner across 7 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (66). The words owners use most often: “throttle body” (19% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Throttle body: mentioned in 45 of 231 complaints (19%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Mercury Mariner at $2,400, and half of them between $1,000 and $3,100.

Based on 21 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2017), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 210 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles9 · 4%
10k–25k miles10 · 5%
25k–50k miles56 · 27%
50k–75k miles56 · 27%
75k–100k miles39 · 19%
100k–150k miles26 · 12%
150k+ miles14 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 231 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.

Mercury Mariner power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2008, with 66 complaints
2005: 152005152006: 112006112007: 112007112008: 662008662009: 442009442010: 602010602011: 24201124

n = 231 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2011 Mariner2428%46,000
2010 Mariner6022%52,000
2009 Mariner4414%69,000
2008 Mariner6614%62,061
2007 Mariner1133%84,735
2006 Mariner1117%82,000
2005 Mariner1522%73,279

When owners reported it

Peak: 2013, with 85 complaints
2005: 1200512006: 222007: 3200732008: 552009: 4200942010: 882011: 9201192012: 16162013: 852013852014: 29292015: 102015102016: 18182017: 162017162018: 552019: 6201962020: 552021: 5202152022: 112023: 2202322025: 11

n = 231 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)Sep 29, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V606000 · 57 vehicles

Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of accelerator pedal with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle despite the failure returning upon restarting the…

Received Mar 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11646279

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while idled at a stop, the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact then stated that he had to apply pressure to the…

Received Sep 21, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11545897

I have been intermittently losing power steering. The code is B1342. After researching, it looks like Ford is aware of this problem but is unwilling to fix the issue. This fix must be done at a dealership since it is a software issue and going to cost $2,000. Obviously losing power steering when…

Received Feb 9, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11506411

lost of steering control because of power steering failed. And caused elec. system to go nuts

Received Jan 1, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11445817

While driving on the highway my car just cut off in the middle lane. I was able to get into the emergency lane.

Received Nov 18, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11440974
Mercury Mariner
2005-2007 Mercury Mariner photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Mercury Mariners have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 231 owner complaints about power train for the Mercury Mariner. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Mercury Mariner power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Mercury Mariner?

Owners report a typical cost of $2,400 (half paid between $1,000 and $3,100), from 21 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the Mercury Mariner?

The most frequent phrase is “throttle body”, in 45 of 231 complaints.

Other Mercury Mariner problems

See all Mercury Mariner problems.