The 2005 Mercury Mariner has 3 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (15 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints67filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
NHTSA recall 15E045000 · Jun 3, 2015 · 576 vehicles
Problem: The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
NHTSA recall 06V111000 · Apr 7, 2006 · 134,365 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2005 Mercury Mariner 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
20.9%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Mariner 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Mariner 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Mariner 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Mariner 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter
15
1
0
0
73,279 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
10
0
0
0
83,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system
9
0
0
0
36,700 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
9
1
0
0
63,803 mi
Air bags Side/window; Frontal › Sensor/control module
Suspension Rear › Shock absorber; Front › Wheel bearing
4
0
0
0
2,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
3
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
3
1
0
2
69,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
58,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 3, 2021Unknown or other The accelerator sticks and this is very dangerous
Oct 24, 2019 · 191,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HIS PATH WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT MOVED OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DITCH AND ROLL OVERED FOUR TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ARM, NECK, AND BODY INJURIES. HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTEINTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Apr 27, 2019 · 150,000 milesEngine CD4E - ENGINE STALLING ON ENGAGEMENT/STOPPING. VEHICLE STALLED AT THE RED LIGHT OF AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE STALLED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE.
Apr 22, 2018 · 165,250 milesElectronic stability control (esc) TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (NORTHTOWNE LINCOLN, 21 NE VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118) AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,250. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Dec 15, 2017 · 103,000 milesStructure › Body TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED WITH HOLES. BROWNELL MOTORS INC IN FISHKILL, NEW YORK WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
Dec 13, 2017 · 202,467 milesEngine I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR JUST QUIT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE ISSUE IS THE COILS AND A NOW FRIED COMPUTER SYSTEM.
Oct 31, 2017 · 176 milesUnknown or other AS OF MONDAY OCT 23RD 2017. MY 2005 MERCURY MARINER STARTED STUTTERING, HESITATING, LOSING POWER, SPITTING, SUFFERING, HOW EVERY YOU WOULD PUT IT. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS. IT DID THIS OFF AN ON THIS DAY. LATER THIS DAY IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THEN FLOORED THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT FLASHED AT THE SAME TIME IT DONE THIS. IT DOES IT WITH IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS THEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND GOES BACK TO SPITTING AN SPUTTERING AND THE RADIO VOLUME GOES DOWN AND BACK UP OFF AN ON AS THIS IS HAPPENING. IT CONTINUED DOING ALL OF THAT EVERY SO OFTEN EVERYDAY FROM OCT 23RD - OCT 31ST. ON OCT 31ST 2017 I WAS COMING HOME, IT WAS AROUND 9:30…
May 9, 2017 · 160,000 miles · crashPower train ON THE FREEWAY AND CAR SUDDENLY HAS OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING, AT THE SAME TIME I BEGAN LOSING POWER, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF FREEWAY BUT NOT AFTER I OPEN HOOD AND NEARLY GOT RUN OVER. I WAS CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS OVERHEATING OR SMOKE. BUT NOTHING. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED PCM, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE CONVERTER. CONSEQUENTLY MY SHIFTER IS BROKEN AND YOU CAN SEE DOWN INTO TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY NO I CAN'T DRIVE, I WILL HAVE TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. WHY HASN'T TRANSMISSION BEEN RECALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. I COULD NOT THINK ABOUT IF MY CHILD WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH ME AND STOOD IN FRONT OF CAR. HE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THAT QUICKLY OR EVEN WORSE WITH FREEWAY DRIVING I EVEN COULD HAVE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.