2006 Mercury Mariner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Mercury Mariner has a complaint index of 17, ranking 6th worst out of 7 model years, and carries a Good verdict, though that rating is capped due to incomplete records for 2005-2009. Engine problems are the top issue, making up 33% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #6 of 7 Mariner years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 63
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2006 Mercury Mariner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine21 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (17%)
- Steering9 (14%)
- Brakes8 (13%)
- Structure & Body7 (11%)
- Fuel System6 (10%)
- Other6 (10%)
- Electrical System5 (8%)
- Airbags3 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls unexpectedly at highway speed, including one case where the vehicle shut off twice within minutes of purchase.
- Gas pedal cable has detached from the throttle linkage while driving at 65 mph, leaving the driver unable to control acceleration.
- Transmission has slipped early in ownership, in one case leading to a full transmission replacement.
- Steering pulls hard to the left at higher speeds even after dealer alignment and strut repairs.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in head-on and rollover crashes at moderate speeds, resulting in injuries.
- Hybrid coolant pump issues tied to a recall have caused the vehicle to shut down while driving, affecting brakes and steering.
2006 Mercury Mariner recalls
3 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 14V526000Sep 3, 2014Fuel System70,209 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
- NHTSA 05V520000Nov 9, 2005Visibility & Wipers199,942 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Risk: After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
2006 Mercury Mariner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2006 compared with other Mariner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Mercury Mariner reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Mariner has a complaint index of 17, the second-lowest among the 7 model years with data, and carries a Good verdict.
- What problems does the 2006 Mercury Mariner have?
- Engine issues are the top reported problem area, making up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 82,270. Suspension and transmission issues each account for 17% of complaints.
- Does the 2006 Mercury Mariner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Mariner, covering the transmission shift lever, a hybrid coolant pump, and a windshield wiper motor lacking grease.
- How does the 2006 Mariner compare to other model years?
- The 2006 model ranks 6th worst out of 7 years by complaint index (17), well below the 2008 and 2009 models, which are rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 83 and 100.
- Why is the 2006 Mariner's verdict capped instead of Best?
- NHTSA complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete, so the verdict is capped at Good despite the low complaint index.