2010 Mercury Mariner problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Mercury Mariner, most often about steering. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
43
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
132,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 26 of 43 complaints (60%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (8) and engine (4) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 132,000 mi.
  • The 2010 Mercury Mariner has 2 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 3rd of 7 Mercury Mariner model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 51% fewer complaints than the 2009 model year (87).

2010 Mercury Mariner problems by category

  • Steering
    26 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    8 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    5 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Brakes
    3 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints

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
Steering26
Fuel/propulsion system8
Unknown or other5
Engine4
Service brakes3
Electrical system3
Suspension2
Power train:automatic transmission1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k160k–100k13100k–150k4150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2010 Mercury Mariner complaints that list mileage.

2010 Mercury Mariner recalls (2)

  • Recall 16V777000Oct 26, 2016329,265 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.

    Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.

  • 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 …

  • PE11016Opened Apr 27, 2011Closed Aug 18, 2011

    Rear Liftgate Window Glass Breakage

    In its response to the agency, Ford acknowledged a higher than normal level of glass breakage incidents in the model year (MY) 2010 to early-build MY 2011 subject vehicles.The incidentsoccurred when the liftgate glass was being opened, or more typically while being closed, but in both cases while the vehicle was stationery, i.e., not moving on the roadway.Additionally failures often occurred during early morning hours when ambient and/or liftgate glass temperatures may have been lower.Ford advised that it investigated the failures but failed to identify an anomaly in the glass manufacturing pr…

Recent 2010 Mercury Mariner complaints

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

  1. Filed Aug 11, 2026190,000 miOHSteering
    The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, an alarm sounded, and the steering wheel locked up. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11756234 · source
  2. Filed Dec 23, 2025185,000 miALSteering
    The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), which the contact related to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11706734 · source
  3. Filed Sep 8, 2025NCElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    Me and my wife purchased a vehicle from a private seller to use for personal commute. A month later we started to notice more issue were occurring with the car then stated from the seller. I took it to an auto body shop to get it inspected and possibly serviced and upon that inspection the clerk stated that there was a milage adjustment done to the vehicle. We contacted the seller to try and return the vehicle and receive our money back, but the dealer refused and requested…
    NHTSA complaint #11685632 · source
  4. Filed May 12, 2025ILSteering
    Power Steering assist fault went out with no warning. Now steering wheel is locking up while driving. Also when trying to gain speed the vehicle bogs out.
    NHTSA complaint #11660487 · source
  5. Filed May 11, 2025ORFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Engine light came on after putting fuel in my car it is hapless the codes read emission and fuel issues to replace cap but it is hapless it says it's an issue that needs to be fixed now my engine light won't go off
    NHTSA complaint #11660227 · source
  6. Filed Feb 4, 2024WASteering
    The power steering assist is malfunctioning and it is available for inspection upon request. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn, it's as if the power steering assist is keeping the wheel from turning. No, but I spoke to someone at Ford and they said that it sounded like my car should be in the recall that was announced for my vehicle type but my VIN was not included in the recall. My car has not been inspected by anyone but it says right on the dash board digital…
    NHTSA complaint #11569744 · source
  7. Filed Jan 2, 2024AZSteering
    The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering).…
    NHTSA complaint #11563086 · source
  8. Filed Oct 30, 202365,000 miCOSteering
    The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while attempting to pull out of a parking space, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11552653 · source

Compare the 2010 Mercury Mariner with another vehicle →

Other 2010 Mercury models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 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