Model year record

2006 Mercury Mariner recalls & problems

The 2006 Mercury Mariner has 4 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (13 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainSep 29, 2015

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 15V60600057 vehicles

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)

SuspensionJun 3, 2015

Front › Wheel bearing

Recall 15E045000576 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.

Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014

Hybrid propulsion system

Recall 14V52600070,209 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

VisibilityNov 9, 2005

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 05V520000199,942 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Risk: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

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

2006 Mercury Mariner 4-DR

OverallNot 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 FWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Mariner FWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Mariner 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Mariner 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlCables	13	1	0	87,750 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	12	1	2	94,000 mi
Steering	9	1	2	80,500 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	8	0	0	47,000 mi
Engine	8	0	0	75,770 mi
Unknown or other	5	0	0	—
StructureBody	5	1	0	111,500 mi
Service brakes	4	1	2	112,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	0	0	100,000 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator	4	0	0	125,500 mi
Tires	3	0	0	93,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	0	0	94,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
Vehicle sub-frame broke at point where lower control arm attaches, causing Right front wheel to suddenly turn right. Sub-frame rusted through!
Nov 14, 2022
Engine
AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUT OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS BEEN DRIVEN IT WILL SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND ME AND MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT ANY SPEED AND EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR NOT EVEN A MILE BEFORE IT TOTALLY SHUTS OFF.
Feb 27, 2021 · 85 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS DAUGHTER TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 -20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER VEHICLES. A TOWING COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CV-JOINT WERE FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE…
Sep 9, 2020 · 190,000 miles
Engine
ENGINE SUDDENLY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MESSAGE ON DASH SAYS TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE.
Sep 2, 2020 · 100,000 miles
Service brakesCrash2 injuries
RECALL FOR COOLANT PUMP ON HYBRID SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN HYBRID ELECTRONIC OVERHEATING CAUSING A STALL LIKE CONDITION RECALL WAS ADDRESSED BY DEALERSHIP BACK ON 7/20/2015 2ND OWNER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 9 MNTHS - HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN WITH DASH LIGHT ADVISING TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY AND THE SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN DIRECTLY AFTER - BRAKES /STEERING ETC. FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT - TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP - UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE 2ND INCIDENT - TO A REPUTABLE LOCAL MECHANICS SHOP - CHANGED OUT NORMAL VEHICLE BATTERY 3RD INCIDENT - CAUSED DRIVER TO ROLL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT - STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLE
Feb 20, 2020 · 167,996 miles
Electrical system
THE GEAR SHIFT IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. IT GOES FROM PARK TO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. SOMETIME IT WONT REVERSE AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. IT CLICK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. IVE REPLACE THE SWITCH TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK BUT IT DOESNT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS THE SAME RECALL 15V606000 FOR OTHER VEHICALS OF THE SAME TYPE
Dec 1, 2019 · 190,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE DEIVING A MESSAGE ON THE DASH STATED TO STOP WHILE IT IS SAFE. THE CAR PROCEDED TO STALL. IT COULD NOT BE STARTED. I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND REQUIRED TO CALL FOR HELP TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR LATER THAT DAY TO DRIVE IT HOME. THIS IS THE FORTH TIME IT HAPPENED OVER AN 18 MONTH PERIOD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD DURING ANY OF THESE EVENTS. I DID HAVE THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO THE MCHANIC. REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES.…
May 4, 2019 · 149,238 miles
Power train
THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 60-70 MPH. A RED TRIANGLA IS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE, PULL OVER STOP SAFELY NOW. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER DRIVING G APPROXAMATELY 30 MILES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE CAR RESTARTS WITHIN 30 SECONDS AND WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN EVERY 5 MINS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN.
Mar 14, 2019 · 120,546 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.