Mariner (1st)
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.
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.5-I4-Gas
2.5L 4-cyl / 171 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Mariner Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
2.3-I4-Gas
2.3L 4-cyl / 153 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.3-I4-Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl / 133 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.5-I4-Hybrid
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cyl / 210 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.0-V8-Gas
5.0L 8-cyl / 360 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 130 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.6-V8-Gas
4.6L 8-cyl / 235 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.3-V6-Gas
3.3L 6-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner
About 122 battery-related complaints per 100,000 hybrids built. The median across 35 hybrid generations in this database is 46.
What kind of battery complaint?
What the 15 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.
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
- [2007] 90sWhile driving, the vehicle will suddenly display a warning message that says “Stop Safely Now”. When this message appears, the hybrid system overheats and the vehicle immediately loses power. The gasoline engine and electric motor both shut down without warning, even at highway speeds. I am forced to coast to the side of the road, which is extremely dangerous in traffic. This happens after the
- [2007] WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR THE VEHICLES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND REGEN DISABLED SHOW UP AND THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE. I CAN SHUT IT OFF AND BACK ON AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL GO AWAY FOR A COUPLE MILES THEN BACK ON WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS
- [2008] FORD'S RECALL "CODE 14S19" ON 2005-2008 MARINER HYBRIDS AND ESCAPE HYBRIDS SHOULD COVER ALL OF THESE HYBRIDS BUT IT HAS EXCEPTIONS! FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON *SOME* OF THE 2005-2008 FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS AND *SOME* OF THE CORRESPONDING MERCURY MARINER HYBRIDS. HOWEVER THEY ARE REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL ON MY PARTICULAR 2008 MARINER HYBRID (WHICH IS EXHIBITING THE ELECTRONIC OVERHEATING PROBLEM
Regenerative Braking
- [2008] ABS LIGHT ,REGEN BRAKES DISABLED AND CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE COMES ON AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. LOSE BRAKING POWER, CAUSING DRIVER TO PUSH BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIMES GOES TO THE FLOOR. WHEN CAR STOPS SOMETIMES IT WON'T RESTART FOR DAYS. IT HAS A NEW BATTERY. COOLANT CODE COMES ON ALSO AND THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING HOT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL. OTHER TH
- [2008] BRAKES SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. A MESSAGE APPEARS 'REGEN BRAKES DISABLED, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM'. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD HCU AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $4000 REPAIR. NOT ACCEPTABLE SEEING SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
- [2008] MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER CAME HOME SAYING A MESSAGE WAS ON HER DASH ABOUT HER BRAKES IN OUR 2008 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE SO I DECIDED TO TAKE HER CAR, AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STARTED DOWN THE HILL WE LIVE ON, I NOTICED THE BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, I PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GET THE CAR TO SLOWLY COME TO A STOP, AS I DID THIS, I NOTICED A WARNING SOUND A
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2006] 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
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, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner
On a used 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (556), the transmission and drivetrain (229) and the engine (189). 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.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 556 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner about the steering.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 229 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 189 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner about the engine, all engines combined.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 144 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner about the electrical system.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner complaints?
Owners have filed 1,289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner. The systems they name most often are the steering, the transmission and the engine.
Is the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner 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 1,289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner have?
NHTSA has 1,289 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner 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 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner 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?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the transmission and the engine, 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?
The 2011 Mercury Mariner received an overall 3-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 3 stars. Side crash: 3 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. 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. 1,289 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.