2005 Mercury MARINER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,068 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 67 complaints (13.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 10 | 14.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 13.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.0% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
Electrical System: 9; Engine: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Air Bags: 4; Power Train: 4; Tires: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 8
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2005: 3; 2006: 6; 2007: 11; 2008: 6; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 8; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10134747 · 2005-08-30 (August 30, 2005)
DT: 2005 MERCURY MARINER. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 5, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THEN, THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED IN ANOTHER DITCH. THE CONSUMER DID NOT REMEMBER WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED, BUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED THE ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. THE BRACKET ON THE 60/40 BACK SEAT DISLODGED, CAUSING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS THROWN INTO THE PASSENGER DOOR HEAD FIRST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10134747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145084 · 2005-12-13 (December 13, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JOLT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT TAKE IT TO AN INCLINE WHEN TEST DRIVING. AN ENGINEER WITH THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE IT WAS ALL WHEEL DRIVE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE DETECTED A WHEEL SLIP. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - WHENEVER THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT SHE HEARD A CLUNKING N…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146551 · 2005-12-30 (December 30, 2005)
MY 2005 MERCURY MARINER WAS IN A SERIOUS COLLISION WITH A DEER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OVER $5000 OF DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE COLLISION. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND THE DEER'S RUNNING SPEED CAUSED A VIOLENT IMPACT. THE DEER MADE DIRECT CONTACT WITH MY HEAD, NECK, AND SHOULDER, AND THE ABSENCE OF THE PROTECTION OF THE AIRBAG ALLOWED THE GLASS TO BE DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO MY BODY BY THE FORCE OF THE CONTACT. I SUFFERED ONLY MINOR BRUISING AND A MULTITUDE OF GLASS SCHRAPNEL CUTS ON THE SCA…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152985 · 2006-03-02 (March 2, 2006)
2005 MARINER PREMIER DRIFTS TO THE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT LOW TO MEDIUM SPEEDS. *TS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ABOUT 12 DEGREES FROM CENTER. THE DEALER ADJUSTER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR CAMBER AND CASTER OUTSIDE OF THE SPEC TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DRIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT REFUSED TO PERFORM THE SERVICE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10152985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161184 · 2006-07-01 (July 1, 2006)
DEFECTIVE SEAT BACK ALLOWED FOR SPRING TO BREAK THROUGH SEAT FABRIC. THIS LEAD TO FACET JOINT DAMAGE WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM WORKING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. I AM IN TRAVELING SALES AND THE MERCURY MARINER WAS A POPULAR VEHICLE CHOICE. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE SAME VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165634 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
FUEL MILEAGE FOR 2005 MERCURY MARINER IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT IS STATED ON WINDOW STICKER. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT DRIVING HABITS AND CONDITION APPLY, BUT WHEN THE WINDOW STICKER READS 22 LOCAL 26 HWY AND YOUR ACTUAL IS 16 HWY, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND EACH TIME I HAVE COMPLAINED. THEY DO THERE OWN TEST AND STATE THE TRUCK IS GETTING 22 MPG. I DO ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING ON A RELATIVELY FLAT SURFACE ALL WEEK LONG AND ONLY GET 16 MPG. THE TAIL PIPE IS FULL OF SOOT AND THE DEALER STATE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10165634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170421 · 2006-10-10 (October 10, 2006)
WE HAVE TAKEN OUR MARINAR BACK AT LEAST 2 TIMES COMPLAINING OF OUTRAGEOUS ROAD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN OR RIDDEN IN WITH THIS TYPE OF NOISE INCLUDING DIESEL TRUCKS. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE TIRES BUT THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE (CONTINENTALS). I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS ROAD NOISE. FRIENDS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME CAN NOT BELIEVE THE DECIBEL LEVEL OF THE ROAD NOISE AND THAT IT IS UNBEARABLE. I HAVE A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY WHO ALSO HAS A MARINAR AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170928 · 2006-10-16 (October 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND A VIBRATION WAS FELT WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE BACK ON. ALSO, A CLUNKY SOUND WAS HEARD, WHEN STARTING BACK UP. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED SPORADICALLY WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170928 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V111000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
Reported: 2006-04-07 (April 7, 2006)
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V606000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2015-09-29 (September 29, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
NHTSA campaign record ↗