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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-MERCURY-MARINERNHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Mercury
2008 Mercury Mariner problems
The 2008 Mercury Mariner has 461 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 2008 Mercury Mariner has 461 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 297 complaints, typically surfacing around 126,300 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Mariner?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.2/10 — 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 2008 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
steering — 297 owner reports
· tends to show around 126,300 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 53 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,741 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 98,923 mi · ~$450 to fix
cruise control — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,690 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 61,493 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: 6.2/10 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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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Mariner· engine
2008 mariner just serviced for oil change, safety, and new air filter. Not more than twelve miles, vehicle lost power on freeway. Was able to coast off highway onto off ramp. Vehicle would start, but failed to stay running. Vehicle has gas and towed to south pointe Lincoln…
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer and had the recall repair completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on December 27,…
Lost power steering as I was driving through a parking lot. Saw the message on the dash "power steering assist fault". Called Ford dealership to get my vehicle looked at but they are booked 2 weeks full. Asked about recall 14s05 but they told me my VIN was not part of the…
Was traveling home for lunch, turning corner and vehicle suddenly went to idle. Pushed gas pedal and it went to the floorboard, but engine remained at idle. Was unable to accelerate at all. Was able to idle home blocking traffic as I went. Checked gas pedal and found that…
Had a problem with your 2008 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 461 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mercury Mariner has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
The 2008 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 6.2/10 — 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 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 297 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 126,300 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 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 2008 Mercury Mariner a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 461 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 126,300 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 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 297 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 126,300 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 126,300 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 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 461 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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/2008/Mercury/Mariner.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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