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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Mercury MarinerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 461 owner complaints for the 2008 Mercury Mariner. Most complaints involve steering (297) and power train (66). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
461
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: floor shift

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Sep 29, 2015NHTSA 15V606000

Suspension: wheel bearing

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 3, 2015NHTSA 15E045000

Hybrid propulsion system

Free remedy

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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Sep 3, 2014NHTSA 14V526000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

461 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2007 – Mar 2025
  1. Steering297
  2. Power train66
  3. Vehicle speed control31
  4. Service brakes29
  5. Electrical system27
  6. Engine14
  7. Fuel/propulsion system8
  8. Air bags8
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Mariner model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200567
200663
200733
2008461
2009315
2010279
201187
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

297 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at 55 -60 MPH, the power steering failed. The steering wheel became increasingly difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was turned off while the contact inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted but a short distance afterwards the failure reoccurred. No warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer who informed them the vehicle was included in a recall for the vehicle, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), approximately 10 years ago, which had a software update as the remedy. The dealer confirmed the remedy had already been completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220.000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2024SteeringODI 11632456

Power train

66 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of accelerator pedal with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle despite the failure returning upon restarting the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic and was informed that the shift lever had disengaged from the transmission. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer after the mechanic discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V606000 (Power Train); which the mechanic linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2025Power trainODI 11646279

Vehicle speed control

31 reports
“2008 MERCURY MARINER THROTTLE CONTROL POWERTRAIN LIGHT COMES ON, TRANSMISSION CANNOT GO INTO GEAR PROPERLY, IT STOPS AT 4000 RPM, AND IT STRUGGLES TO GO AT HIGHER SPEEDS,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11395005
All 2008 Mariner problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Mariner FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
Mariner 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$2,950423
Mariner FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Mariner 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
  • Mariner FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Mariner 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Mariner FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Mariner 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mercury Mariner as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2543Vehicle 2380
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Mariner questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Mercury Mariner have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Mercury Mariner problems?

Owners filed 461 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (297), power train (66), vehicle speed control (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Mercury Mariner get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mercury Mariner at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026