2009 Mercury Mariner problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mercury Mariner, most often about steering. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints: 87
Recalls: 1
Crashes: 4
Fires: 0
Injuries: 1
Median mileage: 138,100 mi

Key facts

Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 69 of 87 complaints (79%).
Electrical System (9) and brakes (9) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 138,100 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
The 2009 Mercury Mariner has 1 recall on file.
NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It has the most serious complaint record of all 7 Mercury Mariner model years we track.

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Steering	69
Electrical system	8
Service brakes	7
Unknown or other	6
Wheels	3
Suspension	2
Service brakes, hydraulic	2
Lane departure: assist	1

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2009 Mercury Mariner complaints that list mileage.

2009 Mercury Mariner recalls (1)

Recall 14V284000May 29, 2014740,878 vehicles
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
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 defect investigations

DP15001Opened Apr 1, 2015Closed Jun 14, 2018
Loss of power steering while driving
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 i…
PE13003Opened Feb 21, 2013Closed Feb 28, 2014
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
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 …

Recent 2009 Mercury Mariner complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Apr 11, 2026VASteeringWheels & Tires
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: Virginia State Inspection: My vehicle passed a Virginia state safety inspection on 2/27/2026. Per state law, any tire with a gash or…
NHTSA complaint #11730562 · source
Filed Mar 2, 2026117,900 miMOSteering
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 functionality shortly afterwards. The "Power Steering Assist Fault" message was displayed on one occasion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
NHTSA complaint #11721530 · source
Filed Feb 21, 2026VASteering
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.
NHTSA complaint #11719580 · source
Filed Jan 30, 2026NYSteering
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.
NHTSA complaint #11714546 · source
Filed Jul 17, 2025WICrashBody & StructureSuspensionWheels & Tires
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 running out. If I had not been able to gain control it would have flipped. The vehicle is available for inspection. It has not been…
NHTSA complaint #11674297 · source
Filed Jun 24, 2025TXSteering
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.
NHTSA complaint #11668925 · source
Filed Mar 4, 2025INSteering
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 lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA…
NHTSA complaint #11646320 · source
Filed Jan 6, 2025233,812 miSCSteering
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. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The…
NHTSA complaint #11634365 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology