NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 279 owner complaints for the 2010 Mercury Mariner. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (69) and steering (63). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“WHEN INTERING TO TUNNEL MY CAR SUDDENLY SPEED UP IT FELT LIKE I HAD THE GAS PEDLE DOWN TO THE FLOOR. EVEN WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN, THIS DID NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN MUCH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON THEN OR NOW”
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, an alarm sounded, and the steering wheel locked up. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”
“Me and my wife purchased a vehicle from a private seller to use for personal commute. A month later we started to notice more issue were occurring with the car then stated from the seller. I took it to an auto body shop to get it inspected and possibly serviced and upon that inspection the clerk stated that there was a milage adjustment done to the vehicle. We contacted the seller to try and return the vehicle and receive our money back, but the dealer refused and requested us to resell it.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Mariner 4WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Mariner FWD FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Mariner 4WD FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 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.
Owners filed 279 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (69), steering (63), engine (63). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Mercury Mariner at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).