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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-MERCURY-MARINERNHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Mercury
2009 Mercury Mariner problems
The 2009 Mercury Mariner has 315 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 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 2009 Mercury Mariner has 315 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 167 complaints, typically surfacing around 121,543 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Mariner?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
2 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 2009 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 — 167 owner reports
· tends to show around 121,543 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,444 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 24 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,771 mi · ~$600 to fix
engine — 22 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,676 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 105,463 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 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
2009 Mariner· steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Marnier. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The electric power steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercury mariner. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…
When pulling up to a stop sign the car just stopped next time coming off interstate to stop the vehicle kinda of lunged the next tine it just tried to stall had to put in neutral and keep foot on gas to keep it running. *tr
While driving the mariner at 45 MPH on a busy street, the engine went into limp mode, lost all acceleration and slowed to 5 MPH. I was nearly rear-ended by the truck behind me and was forced to pull up onto a sidewalk, damaging my tire. Pulled the codes on the car and got a…
Had a problem with your 2009 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.
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 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Mercury Mariner reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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 2009 Mercury Mariner?
The 2009 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 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 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 2009 Mercury Mariner?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 167 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 121,543 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 2009 Mercury Mariner a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 315 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 121,543 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 2009 Mercury Mariner?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 167 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 121,543 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 121,543 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 2009 Mercury Mariner?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 315 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/2009/Mercury/Mariner.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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