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2009 Mercury Mariner

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mariner years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Mercury Mariner are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

251 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

315 reports
65,941 miles · Feb 4, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCUY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION DUE TO AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. SAWGRASS FORD (14501 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323, (954) 851-9000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCUY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION DUE TO AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. SAWGRASS FORD (14501 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323, (954) 851-9000) DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,941.

NHTSA ODI #11173930

176,000 miles · Jan 30, 2019
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SHOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI #11173108

96,641 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #11172592

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2019
Steering

LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST... ON 01/24/2019 WHILE COMING HOME FROM THE STORE I NOTICED AT THE STOP SIGNS MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE BACK AND FOURTH IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS SO I JUST THOUGHT LIKE THE OLD VEHICLES MAYBE IT WAS JUST LOW ON FUEL SO THE NEXT MORNING I TRIED TO DRIVE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND MY STEERI…

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LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST... ON 01/24/2019 WHILE COMING HOME FROM THE STORE I NOTICED AT THE STOP SIGNS MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE BACK AND FOURTH IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS SO I JUST THOUGHT LIKE THE OLD VEHICLES MAYBE IT WAS JUST LOW ON FUEL SO THE NEXT MORNING I TRIED TO DRIVE OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND MY STEERING WAS WORKING ANYMORE .

NHTSA ODI #11172240

85,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Steering

MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES FAILS TO ENGAGE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. I CAN HEAR THE SENSOR CLICK ON WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IF IT DOESN'T CLICK THEN THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAY IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH I MATCH TH…

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MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES FAILS TO ENGAGE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. I CAN HEAR THE SENSOR CLICK ON WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IF IT DOESN'T CLICK THEN THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAY IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH I MATCH THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 14S05. I CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY ALREADY DID THE REPAIR BEFORE I OWNED IT WHILE ALSO SAYING THE RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. SAID THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS ONLY COVERED FOR 1 YEAR/12000 MILES. I'M HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE AS RECALL 14S05. I TALKED TO GLES IN THE PHILLIPPINES CALL CENTER. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE HIGHER UP AND THEY SAID I MUST SEND A LETTER TO THE MAIN OFFICE IN MICHIGAN. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE AND THIS AND KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND. SO HERE I AM.

NHTSA ODI #11164865

105,000 miles · Jan 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

ON OCTOBER 18, 2018 I RECEIVED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ERROR ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN TURNING ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD DRIVEN IT EARLIER IN THE DAY WITHOUT ISSUE. PREVIOUSLY I HAD THE OCCASIONAL WARNING NOISE AND QUICK FLASH OF AN ERROR (TOO QUICK FOR ME TO READ ALL THE WAY) AND WOULD HAVE MOMENTARY DIFFICULTY TURNING. …

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ON OCTOBER 18, 2018 I RECEIVED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE ERROR ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN TURNING ON MY VEHICLE. I HAD DRIVEN IT EARLIER IN THE DAY WITHOUT ISSUE. PREVIOUSLY I HAD THE OCCASIONAL WARNING NOISE AND QUICK FLASH OF AN ERROR (TOO QUICK FOR ME TO READ ALL THE WAY) AND WOULD HAVE MOMENTARY DIFFICULTY TURNING. THIS ISSUE MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY A MALFUNCTIONING TORQUE SENSOR. I REACHED OUT TO FORD AFTER LEARNING OF RECALLS FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. FORD WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS IN ANY WAY. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO KEEP THE RECEIPT ON THE SLIM CHANCE THAT THE RECALL WOULD BE EXPANDED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. THIS REPAIR WILL COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1000 OR MORE. I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AT A DEALERSHIP TO ENSURE THE REPAIR IS DONE CORRECTLY AND THAT FORD WON'T GIVE ME REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES SHOULD THE RECALL BE EXPANDED. THIS OCCURRED LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE FUEL INLET VALVE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND RENDERING IT UNABLE TO BE STARTED. THE REAR HATCH HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE OPENED FOR OVER THREE YEARS BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE LATCH. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM AND WELL. THERE WERE ISSUES WITH AIR CONDITIONING WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (APRIL 2015). THE ISSUES WERE NOT APPARENT PREVIOUS TO PURCHASE BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER AT THE TIME. WITHIN A MONTH THE WEATHER WARMED UP. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO USE THE A/C IT WAS ONLY BLOWING HOT AIR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING AGAIN EVEN AFTER HAVING AN A/C RECHARGE PERFORMED.

NHTSA ODI #11165415

150,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Steering

STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR IS SHOWING ON DASH. POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AND UPON RESEARCH WITH MECHANIC FORD, MERCURY HAD A RECALL 14V284000 ON AUTOS FOR YEARS 2008, 2009, 2010 AND 2011. I CHECKED INTO THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VIN FOR MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY. SO HOW CAN FORD/MERCURY PUT THIS RECALL ONLY ON CERTAIN…

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STEERING ASSIST FAULT INDICATOR IS SHOWING ON DASH. POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING AND UPON RESEARCH WITH MECHANIC FORD, MERCURY HAD A RECALL 14V284000 ON AUTOS FOR YEARS 2008, 2009, 2010 AND 2011. I CHECKED INTO THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY VIN FOR MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY. SO HOW CAN FORD/MERCURY PUT THIS RECALL ONLY ON CERTAIN CARS (VIN SPECIFIC) AND MY AUTO JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE THIS VERY SAME ISSUE? WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT COVERED? I AM NOW UNABLE TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. CURRENTLY CANNOT STEER AUTO WITH EASE.

NHTSA ODI #11164573

98,111 miles · Dec 23, 2018
Steering

I PURCHASED MY HUSBAND A 2009 MERCURY MARINER VERY RECENTLY FRIDAY DECEMBER 12/21/18 TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE, HAD IT SHIPPED UP FROM SEWELL AUDI, SUGAR LAND, TX. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE THE DAY OF DELIVERY, WE TOOK IT OUT FOR DINNER @ A LOCAL FOOD CHAIN, NO ISSUES. SATURDAY MORNING, I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT ON A CHRISTMAS SH…

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I PURCHASED MY HUSBAND A 2009 MERCURY MARINER VERY RECENTLY FRIDAY DECEMBER 12/21/18 TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE, HAD IT SHIPPED UP FROM SEWELL AUDI, SUGAR LAND, TX. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE THE DAY OF DELIVERY, WE TOOK IT OUT FOR DINNER @ A LOCAL FOOD CHAIN, NO ISSUES. SATURDAY MORNING, I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT ON A CHRISTMAS SHOPPING ERRAND IN THE MORNING. THE MARINER DROVE FINE AND IT IS OR SEEMED LIKE A NICE LITTLE SUV. I WAS NEGOTIATING A TURN INTO A SUPER TARGET @ 144TH & I-25 BASICALLY THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING IMMEDIATLEY. I NEARLY COULDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE PARKING LOT OUT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. I CALLED MY HUSBAND HE DROVE UP INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS THEN HE NOTICED NO POWER STEERING PUMP NO POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, MUST BE ELECTRIC. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE HE CAME UP IN AND FOLLOWED HIM IN THE MERCURY MARINER PREMIER.HE WORKS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING JOB UNION JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN / CONSTRUCTION & WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO MY GRAND DAUGHTER WHICH LIVES A FEW MILES AWAY. THE LONG STORY SHORT I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED @ HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON I-25. I THINK CHEVROLET HAD A IGNITION KEY PROBLEM WHICH OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN SOME DEATHS ESPECIALLY TO SOME FEMALE DRIVERS, BASICALLY IF YOU LACK THE PHYSICAL ABILITY TO DRIVE A AUTO WITH OUT POWER STEERING SOMETHING COULD REALLY GO WRONG REALLY QUICK. PLEASE HELP JUST SHELLED OUT MONEY FOR THE VEHICLE, MONEY FOR SHIPMENT, & NOW FROM MY RECENT RESEARCH A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AS EXTENSIVE AS REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN, SHAME ON THE DEALER THAT SOLD US THE AUTO AND WE HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FOMOCO VEHICLES, BUT SHAME ON THEM THEIR UH OH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH OR INJURY TO WHO EVER WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A ZIP DRIVE ON THE VEHICLE HOW MAY I PHYSICALLY GET A COPY OF THIS INFO, TO YOU?

NHTSA ODI #11163172

115,000 miles · Nov 30, 2018
Engine

VEHICLE RANDOMLY AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON HIGHWAY. DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP, HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD TURN OFF AND WAIT A SHORT TIME THEN RESUMES NORMALLY. POSSIBLY THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11155275

142,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Electrical System

REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE ELECTRIC ACTUATOR HAS FAILED AGAIN, THEREFORE THE SPARE TIRE CANNOT BE ACCESSED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT'S BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THIS IS A OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11154531

Official recalls

1

14V284000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

May 29, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 is 14S05.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving

Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that