2009 Mercury Mariner Problems

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 sidewall crack is an automatic failure. This legally certifies the tire was intact immediately prior to their service. Recent Tire Service: I replaced my rear tires at OK Tire and Auto on 3/30/2026. At that time, a full tread and sidewall inspection of my front tires confirmed they were in good condition. The timing of the dealership's communication confirms the damage occurred while in their care: I arrived for my 9:30a appointment around 9:25a. No damage was noted during the initial intake. I was in their facility when I watched a mechanic drive to the other side of the service parking lot without being informed of a "catastrophic" safety issue. I was only notified of the gash at the end of the day when the vehicle was scheduled for return. Their staff now deems the vehicle "unsafe to drive" for their own employees. If this gash were present at 9:30am, it would have been told to me before I left the dealership. The locked steering is a direct result of an improper torque sensor installation (which is the reason why I was dropping my car off to be serviced). My car was in driving condition as I drove it to the dealership for my appointment with no issues. I received a call from advisor Sade Gregory at 11:03 informing me that I would need a steering column now that is on backorder. At 11:13am I received a confirmation for car delivery to me then at 1:06pm confirmation that my car will arrive at my house at 1:15. At 1:20 Sade Gregory says my car can't be delivered now because its unsafe for them.

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 repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,900.

MY 2009 MERCURY MARINER (HAS 56,000 MILES), WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. HAS HAPPENED TWICE. WAS ABLE TO GET THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT ALL. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.

VEHICLE RANDOMLY AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER ON HIGHWAY. DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP, HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD TURN OFF AND WAIT A SHORT TIME THEN RESUMES NORMALLY. POSSIBLY THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM.

Unknown

The PCM shorts out and fails when sparkplug and Coil packs replaced this cause the steering system to fail speedometer to quit and no transmission connection

I have been intermittently losing power steering. The code is B1342. After researching, it looks like Ford is aware of this problem but is unwilling to fix the issue. This fix must be done at a dealership since it is a software issue and going to cost $2,000. Obviously losing power steering when going at fast speeds is incredibly dangerous for myself and others. There is no check engine light that comes on when the issue arises.

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH AND A LIGHT IN MY DASH THE SYMBOL OF A WRENCH APPEARED ,THEN MY SUV I LOST POWER GOING FORWARD , IT SEEMED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN , I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN VERY BAD TRAFFIC WITH OUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT . THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY AND THE SUV WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL WITH OUT POWER.

Charcoal canister and purge valve defective stuck at open. Check engine light, dropped fuel economy. Forced vehicle to shut off engine and no power, stop on freeway at full speed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SMELL A STRONG, ABNORMAL GAS ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS THE STRONGEST WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

This is an update to the complaint from June- Because I have to compensate manually for the electric power steering, I’ve aggravated upper back injuries and strained hip muscles I incurred from work. I have to attend physical therapy for those injuries now, but it’s useless if my only mode of transportation prolongs my recovery.—— My 2009 Mercury Mariner’s steering wheel started locking up 3 months ago, and it’s hard to get the steering wheel and the tires to agree on one direction. I looked up the make and model to see if there was a safety recall for it and there was, but my VIN wasn’t included in the recall campaign, even though it fits the criteria exactly. ///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.

My SUV was part of a recall due to the electronic power steering failing. My SUV was allegedly repaired by the cheapest of the three available options (computer reset or some such process). I bought my SUV in 2020. The electronic power steering slowly started going out intermittently and then more frequently over time, but is now completely out. The dealer tested my SUV and stated that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. They claim that the problem has nothing to do with the recall, but I don't believe them. My issue is the exact same issue that prompted the recall in the first place. I should not have to pay for a failed recall repair. I think it's possible that the original dealership faked the repair, or simply chose the cheapest (but not proper) option to save themselves time and money. My shoulder is now damaged due to driving without power steering for so long. I need an honest evaluation of my vehicle and an investigation into whether or not the original dealer performed the proper repair. I would assume that the issue wouldn't come back if it had been repaired properly the first time.

While driving vehicle brakes all of sudden go to the floor, no pedal response. This has happened a couple of times without warning. Once when I was approaching an intersection and light changed. My brakes all of the sudden went to the floor and I had to downshift and cut my wheels toward the curb to stop from crashing. Then a couple days later attempting to get it to mechanic it was fine and pumped properly. I wrote it off as a fluke. Then a few months later it happened again. My mechanic can't seem to find the issue and has charged me for new brakes, new master cylinder, new brake line, and another part for the abs power assistant. My car still continues to have this brake malfunction on and off. Somebody is going to end up getting hurt. This obviously is some kind of part defect. Please help!

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while attempting to apply the brake, an excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal before the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

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 sidewall crack is an automatic failure. This legally certifies the tire was intact immediately prior to their service. Recent Tire Service: I replaced my rear tires at OK Tire and Auto on 3/30/2026. At that time, a full tread and sidewall inspection of my front tires confirmed they were in good condition. The timing of the dealership's communication confirms the damage occurred while in their care: I arrived for my 9:30a appointment around 9:25a. No damage was noted during the initial intake. I was in their facility when I watched a mechanic drive to the other side of the service parking lot without being informed of a "catastrophic" safety issue. I was only notified of the gash at the end of the day when the vehicle was scheduled for return. Their staff now deems the vehicle "unsafe to drive" for their own employees. If this gash were present at 9:30am, it would have been told to me before I left the dealership. The locked steering is a direct result of an improper torque sensor installation (which is the reason why I was dropping my car off to be serviced). My car was in driving condition as I drove it to the dealership for my appointment with no issues. I received a call from advisor Sade Gregory at 11:03 informing me that I would need a steering column now that is on backorder. At 11:13am I received a confirmation for car delivery to me then at 1:06pm confirmation that my car will arrive at my house at 1:15. At 1:20 Sade Gregory says my car can't be delivered now because its unsafe for them.

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 reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service other than the tow truck attendant telling me that the car need to be junk because it could not be repaired. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, or insurance company as it only has liability insurance. A police officer did show up on seen to direct traffic around vehicle and did see the issue but no report was taken. There was absolutely no indication that this was an issue until a few seconds before it snapped and that was the wheel started to wobble.

WE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER THAT THEY HAD PURCHASED FROM AUTO SOURCE IN WOODS CROSS, UTAH (WHO SPECIALIZES IN REBUILDING TOTALLED VEHICLES). WE RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR WORK TO BE DONE ON IT, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD BEEN RIGGED TO NOT TRIGGER THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THAT THE MODULE ON IT WAS BAD, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO POSSIBLY NOT DEPLOY. THEY LET ME KNOW THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR EITHER OF THESE THINGS TO BE TAMPERED WITH. I KNOW THAT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW DID NOT TAMPER WITH EITHER OF THESE 2 ITEMS. IT SEEMS THAT THIS COMPANY IS TAKING SHORTCUTS WITH SAFETY ITEMS THAT THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS TAMPERING WITH AND THEN RE-SELLING THEM TO THE PUBLIC. I ASKED THEM TO WORK WITH US TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO EVEN CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF (STATIONARY AND IN MOTION) AS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE THE MODULE YET. WE HAD NO IDEA THE SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS EVEN MISSING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN OPPOSING VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DROVE INTO HER LANE CAUSING A HEAD ON CRASH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A PINCH NERVE IN THE NECK AREA AND BODY BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND FACILITY TEMPORARILY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN HILLSDALE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 12/9/2009 THROUGH 12/16/2009. UNABLE TO FIX THE NOISE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD THEM TEAR DOWN THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE AND THAT FORD ENGINEERING SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. THE NOISE WAS STILL CONSISTENT AND HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY LOUDER. SINCE THIS INITIAL COMPLAINT I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID REGULATOR VALVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AND NOT ACCELERATING WHEN IT SHOULD, LIKE WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. *TR

VEHICLE IS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER PREMIUM (FWD, IVCT 2.5 L I4 DOHC, 16 VALVE, GASOLINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION [6F MIDRANGE], PFI). ON 01/10/2010 THE THROTTLE BODY/POWERTRAIN INDICATOR ICON AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON ICON DISPLAYED SOLID ILLUMINATION AFTER ENGINE WARMUP. ON 01/14/2010, THE DEALERSHIP READ THE OMBD-II MALFUNCTION CODES AND NOTIFIED OWNER THAT THE ENTIRE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY (FORD PART NO. 7000) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT FORD PARTS WEB SITE, IT STATES THAT THIS PART IS RECALLED, BUT NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS PROVIDED; HOWEVER, THIS PART WAS RECEIVED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IS BEING INSTALLED. *TR

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 reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service other than the tow truck attendant telling me that the car need to be junk because it could not be repaired. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, or insurance company as it only has liability insurance. A police officer did show up on seen to direct traffic around vehicle and did see the issue but no report was taken. There was absolutely no indication that this was an issue until a few seconds before it snapped and that was the wheel started to wobble.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD RETAINED MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE AND BLOCKED HER VIEW. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE RETENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE WINDSHIELD FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOISTURE RETENTION WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,906 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,600. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 07/06/12 *JS

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 reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service other than the tow truck attendant telling me that the car need to be junk because it could not be repaired. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, or insurance company as it only has liability insurance. A police officer did show up on seen to direct traffic around vehicle and did see the issue but no report was taken. There was absolutely no indication that this was an issue until a few seconds before it snapped and that was the wheel started to wobble.

THE VEHICLE AC UNIT WATER DRAINS DIRECTLY OVER THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND RUSTS THROUGH THE FRAME, AT WHICH POINT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION WILL COLLAPSE AND LOSS OF STEERING RESULTS. THIS PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR SOME ESCAPE VEHICLES, BUT NOT ITS MERCURY MARINER EQUIVALENT, EVEN THOUGH IT SHARES SAME PART/PROBLEM. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER REPAIR AND CUST SEVICE SUGGESTED I CONTACT NHTSA.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASH LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS GO BLACK FOR 2-5 MINUTES BEFORE COMING BACK ON. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AS THIS PROBLEM POSES A HAZARD DURING NIGHT DRIVING. TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL ACCELERATION, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD POSING A HAZARD AS YOU HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AN ON AGAIN TO REGAIN CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND FOG, SEVERELY REDUCING VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF UPDATED 08/31/2012 *JS

WE PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER THAT THEY HAD PURCHASED FROM AUTO SOURCE IN WOODS CROSS, UTAH (WHO SPECIALIZES IN REBUILDING TOTALLED VEHICLES). WE RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR WORK TO BE DONE ON IT, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD BEEN RIGGED TO NOT TRIGGER THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THAT THE MODULE ON IT WAS BAD, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO POSSIBLY NOT DEPLOY. THEY LET ME KNOW THAT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR EITHER OF THESE THINGS TO BE TAMPERED WITH. I KNOW THAT MY BROTHER-IN-LAW DID NOT TAMPER WITH EITHER OF THESE 2 ITEMS. IT SEEMS THAT THIS COMPANY IS TAKING SHORTCUTS WITH SAFETY ITEMS THAT THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS TAMPERING WITH AND THEN RE-SELLING THEM TO THE PUBLIC. I ASKED THEM TO WORK WITH US TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE COMPLETELY UNWILLING TO EVEN CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF (STATIONARY AND IN MOTION) AS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE THE MODULE YET. WE HAD NO IDEA THE SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS EVEN MISSING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD RETAINED MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE AND BLOCKED HER VIEW. PREVIOUSLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE RETENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE WINDSHIELD FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOISTURE RETENTION WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,906 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,600. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 07/06/12 *JS