2009 Mercury MARINER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
315 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 251 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 166 of 315 complaints (52.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 167 | 53.0% |
| Engine operation | 45 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 6.0% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 5.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 166 |
| Engine | 53 |
| Power Train | 41 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 41 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 |
Steering: 166; Engine: 53; Power Train: 41; Vehicle Speed Control: 41; Electrical System: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 15; Unknown Or Other: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 44 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 52 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 82 |
| 150,000 and above | 36 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 52; 100,000 to 149,999: 82; 150,000 and above: 36
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (82). 64 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 64 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 6; 2012: 6; 2013: 64; 2014: 23; 2015: 19; 2016: 30; 2017: 26; 2018: 27; 2019: 20; 2020: 19; 2021: 17; 2022: 18; 2023: 12; 2024: 12; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 167 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 45 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 19 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 10284481 · 2009-09-18 (September 18, 2009)
ENGINE STALLS AND PICK-UP IS WOBBLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,360 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291766 · 2009-11-10 (November 10, 2009)
FORD MOTOR CO. PRODUCED 2009 & 2010 MERCURY MARINER VEHICLES' FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS GAS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TOP OFF THE GAS TANK. ALL FORD VEHICLES PRODUCED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS MAY BE AFFECTED. FORD WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND TELLS THE CUSTOMER TO NOT TOP OFF THE GAS TANK ALTHOUGH NOTHING IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THIS NOR ARE DEALERSHIPS ADMITTING ANY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOR HAS FORD SENT ANY SERVICE BULLETINS TO AFFECTED DEALERSHIPS. ALL OF THE ABOVE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS BY MY SERVICING FORD D…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292513 · 2009-11-17 (November 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITH EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM'S WERE HIGH. SUDDENLY, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE RESPONSE WAS MINIMAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION OVER DRIVE PISTON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHENEVER 5T…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303756 · 2010-02-01 (February 1, 2010)
VEHICLE IS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER PREMIUM (FWD, IVCT 2.5 L I4 DOHC, 16 VALVE, GASOLINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION [6F MIDRANGE], PFI). ON 01/10/2010 THE THROTTLE BODY/POWERTRAIN INDICATOR ICON AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON ICON DISPLAYED SOLID ILLUMINATION AFTER ENGINE WARMUP. ON 01/14/2010, THE DEALERSHIP READ THE OMBD-II MALFUNCTION CODES AND NOTIFIED OWNER THAT THE ENTIRE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY (FORD PART NO. 7000) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT FORD PARTS WEB SITE, IT STATES THAT THIS PART IS RECALLED, BUT NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS PROVIDED; H…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340991 · 2010-07-01 (July 1, 2010)
2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN HILLSDALE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 12/9/2009 THROUGH 12/16/2009. UNABLE TO FIX THE NOISE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD THEM TEAR DOWN THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE AND THAT FORD ENGINEERING SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. THE NOISE WAS STILL CONSISTENT AND HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY LOUDER. SINCE THIS INITIAL COMPLAINT I HAVE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10346009 · 2010-07-28 (July 28, 2010)
AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN DAUGHTER AGE 34 WEIGHT 120 SETS IN THE SEAT. DEALERS AGREES THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. MERCURY DEALER AND FORD WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND STATE THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE, CAR NOW HAS 8000 MILES AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL OF 16 DAYS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,684 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366556 · 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ILLUMINATED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REMOVED THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,804 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,804 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396423 · 2011-04-13 (April 13, 2011)
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS STARTING IN JAN 2011, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO SELECT A GEAR AND ACCELERATE WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR AFTER MAKING A TURN LEAVING A FEW SECOND LULL WHERE THE VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE. THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE RE-FLASH WAS PERFORMED AGAIN EVEN THOUGH DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. ISSUE STILL PERSISTS OCCASIONALLY, AS WELL AS A NEW SYMPTOM SINCE MARCH (23,000 MILES). NOW, SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT DOWNSHIFT TO A LOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396423 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V284000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2014-05-29 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗