2011 Mercury Mariner: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 87 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 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 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft port sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel odor was noticeable all the way to the rear seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the tools needed to perform the repair were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact was informed by the Insurance Provider of an unrepaired recall, under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V777000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2025
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn from a complete stop, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to turn the vehicle by using physical force. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with electric power steering system torque sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,968.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“My dealer says my subframe needs to be replaced, and controll arm at a cost of 3600 dollars, I don't understand why my subframe needs to be replaced, I've owned cars for as long as 20 yrs and never had that problem. This sounds like a manufacturers problem.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2024
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while entering a fast-food drive-thru, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel was spinning in circles. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 200,732.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2021
“I'm very upset and on the verge of tears! My steering wheel suddenly locked on me! I almost wrecked! This has happened a few times & I have no warning light on my dashboard”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2020
“Front lower sub frame rust through in aria under a/c , close to point of braking . Seams to be a comin problem as my repair shop said they replace three or four a year . Some have broken while on road causing steering problems .this apparently happens when the vehicles are about ten years old .# found on inspection .”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercury mariner. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14v284000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to k c motorsports (located at 2401 e 11th st, tulsa, ok 74104, (918) 599-0066) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercury mariner. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering ability became very difficult. The contact decreased the speed and drove home. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - 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 2011 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 2011 Mercury Mariner reliable?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Mercury Mariner. The most complained-about area is steering (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Mercury Mariner problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 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.