2010 Mercury Mariner Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Mercury Mariner has 270 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems (39% of complaints) and two recalls covering fuel system and steering are the main concerns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Mariner years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 270
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19.5 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2010 Mercury Mariner problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine104 (39%)
- Fuel System63 (23%)
- Steering61 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain60 (22%)
- Electrical System30 (11%)
- Brakes11 (4%)
- Other11 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (3%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
- Airbags4 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear liftgate window suddenly shatters or explodes into small pieces, sometimes after closing the door, with no warning or impact involved.
- Transmission jerks hard between gears, loses power, or pops forward when driving at steady speed or approaching a stop.
- Power train warning light illuminates while driving at highway speed and the vehicle stalls, sometimes restarting after coasting to the shoulder.
- Steering wheel suddenly goes stiff while driving, making the vehicle hard to control.
- Passenger airbag light stays illuminated or the airbag sensor fails to detect a passenger, even after dealer replacement attempts.
- Transmission overheats and produces smoke from the hood, particularly reported while towing.
2010 Mercury Mariner recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V777000Oct 26, 2016Fuel System329,265 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V284000May 29, 2014Steering740,878 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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.
2010 Mercury Mariner fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 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.
2010 compared with other Mariner years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Mercury Mariner reliable?
- NHTSA lists 270 complaints for the 2010 Mariner with a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst among the 7 model years with data. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other Mariner years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Mercury Mariner?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, making up 39% of complaints (104 total) with a median failure mileage of 51,500 miles.
- Does the 2010 Mercury Mariner have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2010 Mariner: one for a fuel system flange (campaign 16V777000) and one for a steering torque sensor issue addressed with a software update (campaign 14V284000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- Which Mercury Mariner years are worse than 2010?
- The 2008 and 2009 model years rank worse, both carrying an Avoid verdict with complaint indexes of 83 and 100 respectively, compared to 67 for 2010.
- How does the 2010 Mariner's fuel economy compare?
- The 2010 Mariner gets an EPA-rated 21.5 mpg combined (19.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.