IllustrationSPEEDOMETER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES KEEP GOING OUT AND CAUSING SUV TO NOT START
2008 Mercury Mariner
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Mariner years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mercury Mariner are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mariner years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2125–50K
5150–75K
8075–100K
146100–150K
84150K+
404 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 297 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
461 reportsBRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, ABS FAILURE. HALF OR MORE OF BRAKING POWER DIMINISHES. WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, VEHICLES TRIES STOPPING ITSELF, CREATING A FRONT END WOBBLE. WHEN HAVING TO USE THE BRAKES, TIRES SKID. CANNOT STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY, VERY DANGEROUS. CONSTANT BRAKE SMELL. BRAKE PADS WEAR OR DISINTEGRATE WITHIN 3 MONTHS. PROBLE…
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BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, ABS FAILURE. HALF OR MORE OF BRAKING POWER DIMINISHES. WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD, VEHICLES TRIES STOPPING ITSELF, CREATING A FRONT END WOBBLE. WHEN HAVING TO USE THE BRAKES, TIRES SKID. CANNOT STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY, VERY DANGEROUS. CONSTANT BRAKE SMELL. BRAKE PADS WEAR OR DISINTEGRATE WITHIN 3 MONTHS. PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT NOW CONSTANT. FORD DEALERSHIP REPORTS PART IS $6200 DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORTH THAT.
ON 6/8/2019 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE SET WITH MY DISABLED SON IN VEHICLE THE CAR PULLED BADLY TO ONE SIDE. I IMMEDIATELY BRAKED AND IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO GET US OFF THE ROAD. FRONT AXLE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO. NOW DEALER IS SAYING TRANSMISSION BLEW AND IS OUT WHICH CAUSED FRONT AXLE TO FAIL WHILE …
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ON 6/8/2019 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE SET WITH MY DISABLED SON IN VEHICLE THE CAR PULLED BADLY TO ONE SIDE. I IMMEDIATELY BRAKED AND IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO GET US OFF THE ROAD. FRONT AXLE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO. NOW DEALER IS SAYING TRANSMISSION BLEW AND IS OUT WHICH CAUSED FRONT AXLE TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP HAVE BEEN DONE. BUILT CAR AND ONLY DRIVER USUALLY CITY MILES. 2008 WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY WE ALMOST FLIPPED.
THE ANTI-LOCK BRICK MODULE HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE PART ALONE IS CLOSE TO $1,200 TO PURCHASE. UPON INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM WE FIND THAT IT IS VERY COMMON AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FORD BUILT CARS OF THIS VINTAGE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR SUCH A COMMON AND CRITICAL ISSUE?
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2017 AND EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLUTION TO THE PRO…
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WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL IN 2004. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2017 AND EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED INFORMATION THAT THE REOCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE IS A PROBLEM AFTER THE SO-CALLED FIX. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, THE CARFAX VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT DOESN'T SHOW THE REPAIR EVER BEING DONE.
TAKATA RECALL WELL DRIVING MY VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION.WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THE VEHICLE DIDN'T ACCELERATE AS THE RPM WENT UP.I WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT ON CITY STREET.AS I MADE THE STOP AT STOP-LIGHT AS THE LIGHT TURN GREEN I STEPPED ON THE HAS AND THE RPMS WENT UP BUT VEHICLE BARELY MOVED.
STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO SLAM BRAKES STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THEN IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A FEW MILES.
POWER STEERING ASSIST MODULE STOPED WORKING FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS PROBLEM MY MECHANIC IS TELLING ME IT IS A 50% CHANCE I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN.
EVERYTIME I TRY TO FILL GAS, THE PUMPS KEEP SHUTTING OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I DO IT OR THE ANGLE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS ISSUES, THEY LOOKED ONLINE IN THEIR MECHANIC WEBSITE AND SEEN THAT THE FUEL NOZZILS FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES OFTEN NEED TO BE REPLACED …
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EVERYTIME I TRY TO FILL GAS, THE PUMPS KEEP SHUTTING OFF. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I DO IT OR THE ANGLE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS ISSUES, THEY LOOKED ONLINE IN THEIR MECHANIC WEBSITE AND SEEN THAT THE FUEL NOZZILS FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES OFTEN NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SHAPE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IF A PROBLEM IS CAUSED DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN, THEN I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IT'S A VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM. IT CAN TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO FILL TANK COMPLETELY AND WHEN IN NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES, THAT'S A LONG TIME TO BE STANDING OUTSIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THE STEERING COLUMN OR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THE STEERING COLUMN OR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Official recalls
315V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 29, 2015
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Sep 3, 2014
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 & remedy
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.
14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
May 29, 2014
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO