VehicleVerdict

2011 Mercury Mariner problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Mercury Mariner sits mid-pack among Mariner years: 121 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 91, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (29), transmission (24), and steering (20), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. Its NCAP crash-test rating is 3 of 5 stars overall.

121

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

3

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Mariner years?

Mariner NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 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, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mariner years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Mercury Mariner problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2924%
Transmission2420%
Steering2017%
Speed Control1512%
Engine1412%
Visibility & Wipers65%
Electrical System65%
Other43%
Airbags22%
Suspension11%

Does the 2011 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.

“DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60PMH) IT WOULD LOSS POWER AND KINDA LIMP ALONG. I CAN PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT BAKE ON AGAIN AN RUN JUST FIND AFTER THAT. THIS HAS HAPPEN THREE TIME SINCE. IT IS BECOME REALLY DANGEROUS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 2, 2014

“HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2013/02/25/NHTSA-INVESTIGATING-725K-FORD-MERCURY-VEHICLES-FOR-STALLING-ISS/ - READ COMMENTS ON THIS SITE. EXACTLY WHAT OUR MARINER IS DOING. 60 TO ZERO IN 2 SECONDS. YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, VEHICLE NO LONGER ACCELERATES, PULLOVER, TURN OFF, RESTART. HAS HAPPENED 3…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 4, 2013

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 15, 2018

“SHE PULLED INTO A PATIENTS DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED SHE WENT TO PUT IT IN PARK AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF INTO THE HOUSE. SHE (THE DRIVER) HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE ER. SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE STILL WHEN THE CAR TOOK OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF HOW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS DRAGGED THROUGH THE DIRT WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 17, 2013 · crash

“MY SON AND I WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM FOOTBALL PRACTICE AROUND 8:30PM AND AS I WAS TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND SHAKING. I PULLED RIGHT OVER TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON. ONCE I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD IT DID IT A SECOND TIME AND SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 10, 2013

2011 Mercury Mariner — common questions

Is the 2011 Mercury Mariner reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mariner: 121 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Mariner problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (29 complaints), transmission (24 complaints), steering (20 complaints).

Does the 2011 Mercury Mariner have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Mercury Mariner. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 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.

How safe is the 2011 Mercury Mariner?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Mercury Mariner earned an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

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.