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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-MERCURY-MARINERNHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Mercury
2006 Mercury Mariner problems
The 2006 Mercury Mariner has 63 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Mercury Mariner has 63 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 10 complaints, typically surfacing around 89,009 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Mariner?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Mercury Mariner? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,009 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,469 mi · ~$600 to fix
steering — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,970 mi · ~$700 to fix
brakes — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,494 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 79,469 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Mariner· airbagsCrash
Traveling west bound on bull valley rd when a car going east bound turned in front of me causing a head on accident to my 2006 mariner 4x4 hybrid. I was traveling 35 MPH at time of impact and seat belts did not go off causing chest pains. My vehicle had 11,000 worth of damage to…
I purchase a 2006 mercury mariner on february 18, 2006, at price Lincoln mercury in centennial, co. When I purchase this vehicle it had 15 miles on the odometer. I was instructed by the sales rep that I should avoid driving this vehicle over 55 MPH to allow the engine to break…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mercury mariner. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard while driving. The failure was experienced several times. The accelerator pedal was depressed with force in order for it to release. The vehicle was not…
Brought the car in to correct a bent strut, put it on the lift and pronounced it undriveable! The whole back frame had rusted out. They pulled the inspection sticker. How can this be? *tr
Had a problem with your 2006 Mercury Mariner?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Mercury Mariner is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Mercury Mariner?
The 2006 Mercury Mariner is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Mercury Mariner?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 89,009 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Mercury Mariner a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 63 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 89,009 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Mercury Mariner?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 89,009 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 89,009 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mercury Mariner has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Mercury Mariner?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 63 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mercury/Mariner.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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