2005 Mercury Mariner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Mercury Mariner has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 36% of complaints, with 67 total complaints, 2 recalls, and 17 injuries reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 Mariner years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2005 Mercury Mariner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine24 (36%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (22%)
- Electrical System11 (16%)
- Airbags8 (12%)
- Fuel System7 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (10%)
- Structure & Body5 (7%)
- Brakes4 (6%)
- Other4 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle stalling and shutting off while coming to a stop, sometimes with a vibration or clunky sound when restarting.
- Some describe airbags failing to deploy during head-on or rollover crashes, resulting in injuries.
- Owners describe the transmission losing power suddenly on the highway, with an overdrive light blinking before the vehicle nearly stalled.
- Some report the steering pulling toward oncoming traffic at low to medium speeds, with the steering wheel off-center even when stopped.
- Owners describe a driver's seat back collapsing or breaking, with the seat bracket failing during a crash.
- Some report the 4-wheel drive engaging and disengaging unexpectedly on inclines, causing the vehicle to jolt.
2005 Mercury Mariner recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Transmission & Powertrain57 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
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.
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
- NHTSA 06V111000Apr 7, 2006Structure & Body134,365 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moonroofs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim area.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Remedy: Dealers will make modifications to the energy absorbing material located above the headliner in the affected area free of charge. The recall began on may 19, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
2005 Mercury Mariner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Mariner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Mercury Mariner reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Mariner has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 4th worst among 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints make up 36% of all reported issues.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercury Mariner?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues (36% of complaints), transmission and powertrain problems (22%), and electrical system issues (16%) as the top problem areas, with a median mileage at failure of 60,068 miles.
- Does the 2005 Mercury Mariner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Mariner: one covering transmission shift lever bolts and one addressing structural padding above the headliner for side-impact protection. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2005 Mercury Mariner compare to other model years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 50 is worse than the 2006 (17), 2007 (0), and 2011 (33) model years, all rated Good, but better than the 2008 and 2009 models, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 83 and 100.
- Were there airbag problems in the 2005 Mercury Mariner?
- NHTSA complaints include 8 airbag-related reports for the 2005 Mariner, tied to 5 crashes, with owners describing airbags that failed to deploy during collisions.