AI Damage2008 Mercury Mariner: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mercury Mariner filed 461 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 461
- involving a crash
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 64% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- Steering: 297 complaints (64% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 66 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 35 complaints (8% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 31 complaints (7% of all).
- Electrical system: 27 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.3 L · hybrid · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- CVTnamed in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 461 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 297 | 4 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 66 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 35 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the torque sensor on the steering failed while driving approximately 75 mph on the highway. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to the contact's residence. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who stated that there was no recall.
The steering wheel seized and the check engine and oil indicators illuminated. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the steering column needed to be repaired.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed causing her to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The contact sustained unknown injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified.
Seat belt was able to save me in the accident but air bags never deployed after hitting concrete almost head on. Air bag sensor malfunctioned and light turned in but did not deploy.
Beltway) and the side airbags did not deploy. A maryland state trooper (who saw the car) and the mechanic at the auto repair shop where the vehicle was towed both said the airbags should have deployed. Both said if the airbags had worked, the driver would not be as severely injured.
The contact stated while at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of accelerator pedal with the oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle despite the failure returning upon restarting the vehicle.
The contact stated that while idled at a stop, the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to accelerate.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. Additionally, the vehicle failed to operate while in reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 828 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mariner has 185 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 461, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 461. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (47%), warning lights, check engine (14%), vibration (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Mercury Mariner from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.