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 reports

50,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER STARTED STICKING. TODAY IT STUCK AND REMAINED STUCK FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD PUT A 347.00 PART IN IT JUST IN CASE IT IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS CHARGE $70.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311357

59,725 miles · Jan 14, 2010

Power Train

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER MY 5YR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY "TRANSMISSION" COOLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IT IS CONSIDERED AN "AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM" SINCE MY COMPRESSOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKS FINE. I KNOW THAT A RECALL WAS MADE ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PART IN MARCH 2008, BUT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH RECALLED CARS DESPITE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY FORD HAS CHANGED THE PART NUMBER ON THE TRANS COOLER AND ORDERS IT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY, SO THE PART WOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER THE WARRANTY. COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHY MY MARINER WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL? NOBODY AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CAN EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OR WHY THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. I AM SHUFFLED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THESE DEPARTMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299725

40 miles · Jan 12, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

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2008 MERCURY MARINER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT HAS TRANSMISSION LEAK CAUSED BY A FAULTY COOLING CONDENSER. I HAVE HEARD OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS ONE IN THE MARINER AND THE SISTER CAR FORD ESCAPE. THIS REPAIR IS AROUND 800 DOLLARS AND APPARENTLY THERE IS NO SIGN OF A RECALL. I BELIEVE THE PART WAS MODIFIED IN THE 2009 MODELS BUT THIS DOES LITTLE FOR ME AND THOSE LIKE ME. NEW PART CAN EASILY BE DEFECTIVE DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL. NOT REPAIRED YET BUT IF DRIVEN CONTINUALLY CAN ME DANGEROUS TO CAR NOT TO MENTION PERSONS IN VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10299515

55,099 miles · Dec 31, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

2008 MARINER JUST SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE, SAFETY, AND NEW AIR FILTER. NOT MORE THAN TWELVE MILES, VEHICLE LOST POWER ON FREEWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF HIGHWAY ONTO OFF RAMP. VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT FAILED TO STAY RUNNING. VEHICLE HAS GAS AND TOWED TO SOUTH POINTE LINCOLN MERCURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297634

41,201 miles · Dec 8, 2009

Vehicle Speed Control

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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ASCENDING A WINDING GRADE ON OREGON 140 AT 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY SHOT UNAIDED TO THE FLOOR PUTTING THE CAR IN PASSING GEAR. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IT INSTANTLY DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN EARLIER. I HAD DISENGAGED THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION THROUGH THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER AND WAS IN STRAIGHT DRIVE GEAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY 2009. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME WAS THE MOST PRONOUNCED AND SERIOUS SINCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. WE WERE PASSING OVER THE CASCADES BETWEEN MEDFORD AND KLAMATH FALLS. TWO OR THREE MILES FURTHER UP THE HIGHWAY WE ENTERED THE SNOW ZONE AND THERE WAS ICE ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD WE BEEN THERE AT THE TIME OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION THE CAR COULD HAVE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294939

15,682 miles · Oct 18, 2009

Vehicle Speed Control

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ON 09-24-2009 WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 TOWARDS MAINE NEAR PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OUR VEHICLE A 2008 MERCURY MARINER, WITH 15,682 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY AT 65 MPH. BEING A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER I WAS ABLE TO TALK MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING, OVER INTO A BREAKDOWN LANE IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS, MOTOR VEHICLES AND FIXED OBJECTS. ULTIMATELY THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ONTO AN OFF RAMP AND ONTO A SIDEWALK AND GRASS AREA TO INCREASE FRICTION TO REDUCE SPEED. THIS WAS SEVERAL MILES IN THE MAKING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO UNDER 40 MPH WE PLACED IT IN NEUTRAL AND WERE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WE NOTED THAT THE RPMS WERE IN THE 4,000 TO 5,000 RANGE AS THE THROTTLE APPEARED STUCK. AFTER TOWING TO PORTSMOUTH FORD, IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE; TECHNICIANS THERE DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A STRETCHED THROTTLE CONTROL & CABLE ASSEMBLY (PART #7L8Z*9!758*C CABLE ASS-THROTTLE CONTRO AND PART # 8L*Z*9725*A SHAFT MT79758A-ACCELERATOR CABLE). TECHICIANS STATED THAT THE STRETCH ACCELERATOR CABLE (WHICH THEY SAID WAS POORLY DESIGNED) CAUSED THE THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL TO LOCK, WHICH OVER RODE THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WARRANTY REPAIRS WERE MADE INVOICE 497086 TAG CUSTOMER #8023451243. WE NARROWLY AVOIDED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION AS A DEFECT MAY EXIST IN OTHER SIMLLAR 2008 MERCURY MARINERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288838

48,200 miles · Sep 27, 2009

Power Train

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2008 MERCURY MARINER. COMBINED CONDENSER/TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT (BELIEVE IS MANUFACTURED BY VISTEON) LEAKED AT 48,200 MILES. SAME UNIT IS USED IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. HAPPENED TO NOTICE FLUID ON GARAGE FLOOR. OTHERWISE COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITH RESULTING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THIS DEFECT IS THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS (SEE FOR EXAMPLE AUTOMOBILE.COM) AND WAS THE SUBJECT OF A NHTSA INVESTIGATION # 10024826 AND IS DESCRIBE IN MERCURY'S TSB# 08-5-7. HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL THIS WIDELY REPORTED DEFECT OCCUR BEFORE YOU MAKE FORD/MERCURY RECALL? OBVIOUSLY THE COMBINED CONDENSER, TRANS FLUID COOLER IS DEFECTIVE. ARE YOU WAITING FOR DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES BEFORE YOU REQUIRE THE RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285350

23,953 miles · Sep 9, 2009

Tires

ON JULY 5, 2009 WHILE DRIVING MY MERCURY MARINER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. CAUSE WAS A BAD VALVE STEM; ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE AUTO TECH AT WALL MART SHOWED ME THE VALVE STEM WAS DRY ROTTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HAD HIM REPLACE BOTH VALVE STEMS ON T…

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NHTSA ODI #10283451

42,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009

Power Train

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE AIR CONDITIONER TRANSMISSION COOLER ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $800.00 . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10282687

24,000 miles · Jul 7, 2009

Tires

ORIGINAL CONTINENTAL TIRE ON THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER HAS TREAD SEPARATION AND CAUSED A BLOW OUT. CONTINENTAL WILL NOT REIMBURSE OR SWAP ON BLOW OUT, BUT ONLY ON TREAD WEAR. PICTURES OF TIRE SEPARATION ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275960

Official recalls

15V606000 · 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

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)

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

DP15001 · 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