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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering297
- Power train66
- Vehicle speed control31
- Service brakes29
- Electrical system27
- Engine14
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Air bags8
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Suspension5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Structure5
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
6
10
10
10
14
27
56
43
59
45
45
48
30
25
15
8
7
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 48 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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,”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.