Worst 2008 Mercury Mariner Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Transmission / Drivetrain
Brakes
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Mercury Mariner.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 296 | 3 | — | 133,186 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 55 | — | — | 104,359 mi | |
| Brakes | 29 | — | — | 105,149 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 29 | — | — | 79,814 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 23 | — | — | 108,321 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 14 | 1 | — | 125,977 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 12 | — | — | 41,416 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 98,125 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 3 | — | 79,393 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | — | — | 89,714 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | — | — | 75,250 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 171,673 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 17,946 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Mercury Mariner. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Mercury Mariner
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~811,144 vehicles.
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. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
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. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
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.
Other Mercury Mariner Years
2008 Mercury Mariner — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Mercury Mariner reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
How safe is the 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Does the 2008 Mercury Mariner have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mercury Mariner reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Mercury Mariner
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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