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2009 Mercury Mariner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mariner years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mercury Mariner are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

251 reports with mileage · 64 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 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 44 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 reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

315 reports
59,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN UP SHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN UP SHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10443672

26,006 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD REVVING SOUND AND ACCELERATED INTO A FENCE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD REVVING SOUND AND ACCELERATED INTO A FENCE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,006 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,011. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. UPDATED 02/13/12

NHTSA ODI #10443155

20,000 miles · Nov 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING SLOWLY OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT YIELD SIGNS, RED LIGHTS AND GOING DOWN HILL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE TIME AT A RIGHT SIGNAL ARROW IT STALLED GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM THE BACK. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR …

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THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING SLOWLY OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT YIELD SIGNS, RED LIGHTS AND GOING DOWN HILL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ONE TIME AT A RIGHT SIGNAL ARROW IT STALLED GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND I ALMOST GOT HIT FROM THE BACK. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE JUMPED. THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND BLAMED THE BATTERY ON THE PROBLEM. IT IS STILL HAPPENING AND I AM BRINGING IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435254

39,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN OPPOSING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DROVE INTO HER LANE CAUSING A HEAD ON CRASH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A PINCH NERVE IN THE NECK AREA AND BODY BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN OPPOSING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DROVE INTO HER LANE CAUSING A HEAD ON CRASH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A PINCH NERVE IN THE NECK AREA AND BODY BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND FACILITY TEMPORARILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10424245

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2011
Structure

THE UNDER BELLY OF MY VEHICLE IS ALL RUSTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406160

16,530 miles · May 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

COMING TO RED LIGHT ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED DOWN ON BRAKE PETAL AND IT WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN. ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 5 RPM'S AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP FINALLY I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE POSITION. ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK MARINER TO DEALER WHO WASN'T VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE HE NEVER HE…

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COMING TO RED LIGHT ONE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED DOWN ON BRAKE PETAL AND IT WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN. ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 5 RPM'S AND CAR WOULDN'T STOP FINALLY I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WENT BACK TO IDLE POSITION. ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TOOK MARINER TO DEALER WHO WASN'T VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE & WANTED TO KNOW IF I WANTED TO LEAVE MARINER THERE. ALSO ASK IF I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY CONCERN SO THEY REPLACED CANISTER PURGE VALVE. HAVE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS MARINER THAT I BELIEVE STILL EXIST. FILLED OUT SURVEYS AND WAS TOLD MANAGER WOULD CALL BUT NO ONE EVER CONTACTED ME. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10401772

32,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE HAD FORD LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY FIRST CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THEN SECOND CHANGED THE GAS FILTER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398549

21,000 miles · Apr 13, 2011
Power Train

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS STARTING IN JAN 2011, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO SELECT A GEAR AND ACCELERATE WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR AFTER MAKING A TURN LEAVING A FEW SECOND LULL WHERE THE VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE. THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE RE-FLASH WAS PERFORMED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RE…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS STARTING IN JAN 2011, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO SELECT A GEAR AND ACCELERATE WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR AFTER MAKING A TURN LEAVING A FEW SECOND LULL WHERE THE VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE. THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE RE-FLASH WAS PERFORMED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS OCCASIONALLY, AS WELL AS A NEW SYMPTOM SINCE MARCH (23,000 MILES). NOW, SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR. PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING ALLOWS CONTINUED OPERATION. THESE ISSUES COMBINED WITH INCONSISTENCY IN SHIFTING PERFORMANCE AS NOTED BY MANY OTHERS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS STILL A COMPONENT AND/OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM WITH THIS 6F35 TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SINCE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CONSISTENTLY REPLICATED BY THE DEALER THEY ARE UNSURE OF A REMEDY.

NHTSA ODI #10396423

16,804 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ILLUMINATED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REMOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ILLUMINATED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REMOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,804 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366556

3,684 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Air Bags

AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN DAUGHTER AGE 34 WEIGHT 120 SETS IN THE SEAT. DEALERS AGREES THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. MERCURY DEALER AND FORD WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND STATE THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE, CAR NOW HAS 8000 MI…

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AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN DAUGHTER AGE 34 WEIGHT 120 SETS IN THE SEAT. DEALERS AGREES THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. MERCURY DEALER AND FORD WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND STATE THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE, CAR NOW HAS 8000 MILES AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL OF 16 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346009

Official recalls

1

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

2

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

PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that