2009 Mercury Mariner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (157) · Vehicle Speed Control (41) · Power Train (34)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercury Mariner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
251 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2014-05-29 · campaign 14V284000 · 740,878 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Service bulletins (31)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Equipment:electrical 2018-01-10 · SSM 47009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with remote keyless entry (rke). the master code for the accessory (wireless) keyless entry keypad can be retrieved from fmcdealer - parts and service - parts product line information - keys/entry dev
Equipment 2017-01-24 · SSM 46332 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Service Brakes 2016-10-17 · SSM 46132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. if the park brake was applied when the vhr was gathering data from
Service Brakes 2016-10-17 · SSM 46132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2008-2017 ford/mercury/lincoln vehicles equipped with sync may generate a vhr that identifies a concern with the brakes and suspension category indicating service is required due to a brake system warning lamp being illuminated. if the park brake was applied when the vhr was gathering data from
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-11 · Wheels“my vehicle was returned to me following a torque sensor replacement on 4/9/2026 in poor condition (locked steering and a catastrophic gash in the driver-side tire) rendering it undrivable and unsafe. crossroads ford of prince george shop's inspection report claims the tire damage was pre-existing, i have conclusive evidence to the contrary: virgini…”
2026-03-02 · Steering · 117,900 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercury mariner. the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. the contact added that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, but the vehicle regained power steering functionalit…”
2026-02-21 · Steering“my steering has been locking while i am driving and causing loss of steering and control of car. i have contacted crossroads dealer and i have not gotten a response as i am now aware there has been a safety recall on this vehicle. …”
2026-01-30 · Steering“the power steering stopped working. a note did appear to let me know it wasn’t working. i took it in to the mechanic and he confirmed the power steering wasn’t working. …”
2025-07-17 · Wheels · 💥 crash“drivers rear shock rusted off the wheel well causing wheel to snap and metal frame to hit the ground while i was traveling 40 mph. at this time the other wheels locked up and started squealing causing loss of control of vehicle shooting me across lanes and hitting curbs on both sides. this was heard all the way inside a church and they came runnin…”
2025-06-24 · Steering“vehicle notification stating power steering assist fault. power steering locked up on highway going 60 mph while a child was in vehicle and vehicle was extremely hard to get off the highway. parkway ford of pampa, tx would not honor recall as vin was not pulling up a recall. but a different auto mechanic repair shop did verify it was a recall. …”
2025-05-27 · Steering“power steering failure on may 26th and 27th upon start up. had to disconnect battery terminal to reset torque sensor…”
2025-03-04 · Steering“the contact owns a 2009 mercury mariner. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. no warning…”
2025-01-06 · Steering · 233,812 mi“the contact owns a 2009 mercury mariner. the contact stated while attempting to drive out of the driveway, the vehicle stalled and lost power. the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was then driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the vehicle was diagnosed with electric power steering failure…”
2024-11-29 · Steering“power steering stopped working completely.... was taking a turn and the steering became stiff and shook a little and went back to normal. parked the car. started the car 2 hours later and steering completely stiff... no power steering. a quick google search of this common issue will tell you : ford owners forum groups with the same issue, compl…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.