2010 Mercury Mariner: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 279 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (23% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 279 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, an alarm sounded, and the steering wheel locked up. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2026
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), which the contact related to the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 185,000.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2025
“Me and my wife purchased a vehicle from a private seller to use for personal commute. A month later we started to notice more issue were occurring with the car then stated from the seller. I took it to an auto body shop to get it inspected and possibly serviced and upon that inspection the clerk stated that there was a milage adjustment done to the vehicle. We contacted the seller to try and return the vehicle and receive our money back, but the dealer refused and requested us to resell it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power Steering assist fault went out with no warning. Now steering wheel is locking up while driving. Also when trying to gain speed the vehicle bogs out.”Owner report · Steering · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2023
“Engine light came on after putting fuel in my car it is hapless the codes read emission and fuel issues to replace cap but it is hapless it says it's an issue that needs to be fixed now my engine light won't go off”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while attempting to pull out of a parking space, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2023
“My vehicle keeps throwing codes for the EVAP system. I have noticed many of these vehicles have to have their Purge Valve Cannister replaced along with the selenoid for it. I have to replace mine. Is that not a defect if the vehicle? I have owned several vehicles and never had this issue with any of them.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2023
“I bought a 2010 Mercury Mariner on June 22, 2023 from a local dealer. There are several recalls associated with the make and model of the vehicle, but they do not appear to be associated with the VIN on my vehicle. However, the recalls on the vehicle appear to be affecting my vehicle and there is a warning on the dashboard of my car about the fuel system which is one of the recalls on the vehicle. Fuel Delivery System is causing issues in my vehicle.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the power steering fault warning light was illuminated. The power steering assist had failed which made the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact stated that the power steering fuse lines were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured February 26, 2009, to April 29, 2012, and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured February 25, 2009, to December 12, 2010. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 13, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S41.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mariner by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Mercury Mariner reliable?
NHTSA has 279 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Mercury Mariner. The most complained-about area is steering (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Mercury Mariner problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,100 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Mercury Mariner have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.