VehicleVerdict

2010 Mercury Mariner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 393 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Mariner year — the 2010 model ranks #3 of 11 Mariner years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (67), fuel system (64), and engine (63), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

393

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Mariner years?

Mariner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted554 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 100 complaints2006: 91 complaints2007: 40 complaints2008: 554 complaints2009: 422 complaints2010: 393 complaints2011: 121 complaints
Mariner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mariner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Mercury Mariner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control6717%
Fuel System6416%
Engine6316%
Transmission6116%
Steering6015%
Electrical System359%
Other113%
Visibility & Wipers82%
Body & Structure72%
Brakes51%
Airbags41%
Lighting41%
Suspension21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2010 Mercury Mariner have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V777000Fuel SystemOctober 26, 2016 · 329,265 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

15E045000SuspensionJune 3, 2015 · 576 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

14V284000SteeringMay 29, 2014 · 740,878 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON THAT DATE, I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY WIFE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 PM. SUDDENLY, THE CAR WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT STIFF. AS I TRIED TO MOVE UNSUCCESSFULLY, WE WENT DOWN TO A SLOPE OF ABOUT 20 DEGREES. AS A RESULT, BOTH OF US HAD TO BE TAKEN FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR KNOCKS, CUTS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 11, 2012 · crash

“WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, MY VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND THE POWER BRAKES FAILED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY MOVED TO A SIDE STREET, BACKING-UP TRAFFIC ON THE BUSY STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 31, 2013

“SHORT IN LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT AND FOR CHANGED LIGHT BULB AND 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKING MY CAR AND OWNING IT 1 1/2 MONTHS THE CAR BLEW UP. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 25, 2011 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCURY MARINER WHICH WAS BEING TOWED BY A 2004 FLEETWOOD TIOGA MONTARA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE MOTOR HOME WAS PULLED OVER, THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED WITHOUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 17, 2018 · fire

“ON THAT DATE, I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY WIFE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 PM. SUDDENLY, THE CAR WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WENT STIFF. AS I TRIED TO MOVE UNSUCCESSFULLY, WE WENT DOWN TO A SLOPE OF ABOUT 20 DEGREES. AS A RESULT, BOTH OF US HAD TO BE TAKEN FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR KNOCKS, CUTS AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 11, 2012 · crash

2010 Mercury Mariner — common questions

Is the 2010 Mercury Mariner reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 393 complaints put the 2010 model at #3 of 11 Mariner years. It is one of the Mariner years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Mariner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (67 complaints), fuel system (64 complaints), engine (63 complaints).

Does the 2010 Mercury Mariner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Mercury Mariner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Mercury Mariner under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Mariner years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mariner years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Mariner years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.