Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Mercury Mariner problems

Owners filed 461 complaints about the 2008 Mercury Mariner with NHTSA between Aug 2007 and Mar 2025. The most-cited component is steering (297).

Complaints
461
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine and engine cooling6
  11. Suspension5
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  13. Structure5
  14. Tires5

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20072
20086
200910
201010
201110
201214
201327
201456
201543
201659
201745
201845
201948
202030
202125
202215
20238
20247
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

297 reports4 crashes1 related recall
“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 reports1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

29 reports
“Brakes go to floor dealer said they see nothing. They gave my vehicle back brake are normal again.two months go by it happens again but it fixed itself after 2 days. This just happen again 8/5/2022. I see a recall NHTSA campaign #19V904000 ,MFG campaign #19S54 Also a NHTSA recall#150546 How am I going to drive with brakes on the floor My vehicle is a 2008 Mercury Mariner Thanks in advance”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2022Service brakesODI 11478775

Electrical system

27 reports
“THE CAR WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (A CITY STREET, NOT A HIGHWAY) AND A TRIANGULAR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS HAD HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND I HAD PAID A DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE HYBRID COOLING PUMP. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS PART HAD BEEN RECALLED AND WAS REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE PART AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2020Electrical systemODI 11319829

Engine

14 reports1 crash
“THE CAR IS REVING HIGH AND ACCELERATING POORLY. THEN THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT TELLING ME TO STOP SAFETY NOW COMES ON CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DRIVES BUT WITH SAME ISSUES. LOOK ON THE CARCOMPLAINT.COM WEBSITE FOR TSB-09-19-12 AND TSB-08-24-5 WHICH DETAIL WHAT MY CAR IS DOING AND MAKES IT APPEAR LIKE THERE IS A COOLING PUMP RECALL. FORD JUST TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR MY VIN THOUGH. THE FREQUENCY OF WHICH THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT COMES ON IS INCREASING THIS MONTH. IT WAS EVERY FEW MONTHS AND NOW IT IS WEEKLY-DAILY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2020Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11310281
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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