Mariner Hybrid (2008)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
2.3-I4-Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl / 133 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Mariner Hybrid Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
The number of hybrid versions built is not on file, so this cannot be set against other hybrids per vehicle built.
What kind of battery complaint?
What the 31 battery-related complaints describe. One complaint can name more than one of these, so the shares add up to more than 100%. They describe what owners complained about, not how often the vehicle fails.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
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.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2008] The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The Power Steering Assist Fault message was displayed. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The
- [2008] STOP SAFELY NOW CHIMES AND DISPLAYED ON DASH FOLLOWED BY NO ACCELERATION UNTIL VEHICLE STALLS AND STOPS.STARTS RIGHT BACK UP BUT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY IN LA RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS! HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON THE MECS 3YRS AGO BUT PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION ON THE 110 FREEWAY IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGLELES, CA. COULD BE THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY OR REAR ACTUATO
- [2008] CAR HAS BEEN ROCK SOLID RELIABLE UP UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO. DRIVING NORMALLY ON CITY STREETS THE CAR ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN THE HYBRID AND ICE PROPULSION UNITS. STEERING FROZE UP AND IT WAS LIKE PUTTING THE BRAKES ON IT STRANDED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC CAUSING DELAYS FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND A DANGEROUS OBSTRUCTION. THE CAR HAS NO LIMP MODE TO ALLOW FOR SAFELY GETTING OUT OF TRAFFIC. IT HAD TO BE T
Regenerative Braking
- [2008] HEADING WEST ON THE INTERSTATE I TOOK THE OFF RAMP AND CAME TO A STOP. AS I WAS STOPPING A TONE RANG OUT, THE ABS LIGHT, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL AS STIFF AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BUT I DID COME TO A STOP AS I WASN'T TRAVELING VERY FAST WHILE APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN. I TURNED LEFT AND PROCEEDED OVER THE OVERPASS TOWARDS A SIDE ROAD WHEN A CAR THAT HAD COME UP THE OFF
- [2008] ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, WITH REGEN BRAKE DISENGAGED NOTICE APPEARING, HCU UNIT FAILED, SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH HYBRID
- [2008] I HAVE ABS, BRAKE WARNING AND REGEN BRAKES DISABLED MESSAGES ON DASH. FORD MECHANIC ESTIMATED COST OVER 5K.
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2008] WE BOUGHT VEHICLE IN JAN, 2018 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY, AS A WORK VEHICLE FOR MY HUSBAND, WHO IS A USPS RURAL ROUTE CARRIER. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN WINTER. WE BELIEVE THE PRIOR OWNER KNEW ABOUT THIS. THE LIGHT WOULD JUST GO ON & OFF WITH NO PATTERN. ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER, HE WAS DR
- [2008] EXPERIENCED TWO IN-TRAFFIC DRIVE-TRAIN SHUT-DOWNS AS DANGEROUS AS THE G.M. IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS... TRAVELING IN 60MPH-70MPH NIGHT-TIME VALENTINE'S NIGHT FREEWAY TRAFFIC ON THE I-405 IN SANTA ANA, CA. IN THE #3 LANE OF 5 LANES, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY FLASHED ON - ACCOMPANIED BY THE `SCREECH' OF THE `CHECK GAUGES' TONE - AND THE DRIVE-TRAIN LOST ALL POWER -- ALONG WITH T
- [2008] EXPERIENCED THE SECOND OF TWO IN-TRAFFIC DRIVE-TRAIN SHUT-DOWNS AS DANGEROUS AS THE G.M. IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS (SEE ODI#: 10683675) OUR INITIAL STOPPING PLACE - IN A "REVERSE GORE-POINT" BETWEEN THE N/B FREEWAY LANES OF THE I-405 FREEWAY IN SANTA ANA, CA AND AN OUTSIDE TRANSITION ROAD WAS UNSAFE IN THE FULL-DARKNESS OF A NON-ILLUMINATED HIGH-SPEED INTERSECTION; WITH TRAFFIC ZOOMING BY ON
High-Voltage Battery
- [2008] SECOND UNWARNED TOTAL SHUT-DOWN OF ALL POWER ON ROADWAY - THIS ONE JUST 17 DAYS AFTER REPAIRS AND REPROGRAMMING BY FORD DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING FIRST INSTANCE, WHICH CUT GAS ENGINE AND ELECTRIC MOTOR POWER WHILE TRAVELING ON LOS ANGELES FREEWAY. THIS POWER SHUT-DOWN OCCURRED WHILE TRYING TO PULL FROM PARALLEL PARK SPOT ONTO BUSY BLVD - LOST ALL POWER 2 FEET INTO TRAFFIC, ABLE TO ROLL BACK INTO CURB B
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. The rate divides those complaints by the electrified versions built, from the production counts makers report to NHTSA, and it is not adjusted for age. Death and injury figures count complaints that report one, not the number an owner typed in.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
On a used 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (40), the brakes (34) and the electrical system (26). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid about the engine.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid about the brakes.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid about the electrical system.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid about the steering.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid about the fuel system.
- Accelerate hard once from a stop and once from 40 mph, and hold a steady highway speed.Safety. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (hybrid and electric versions only) about the electric drive system.
Recalls (4)
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.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid complaints?
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The systems they name most often are the engine, the brakes and the electrical system.
Is the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid have?
NHTSA has 116 owner complaints on file for the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2008-2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mercury Mariner Hybrid?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the brakes and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Mariner Hybrid?
The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 116 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.