repaired · 2017 Q1
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
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…
2008 Mercury MarinerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 461 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercury Mariner, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-606 the manufacturer reports only 21% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 4, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Mercury Mariner has problems
461 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
297Steering7 crash/fire/injury
66Power train
31Vehicle speed control
29Service brakes
27Electrical system
14Engine
8Fuel/propulsion system
8Air bags
6Engine and engine cooling
4215 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 297 | 7 |
| Power train | 66 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 0 |
| Engine | 14 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 42 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2008 Mercury Mariner recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
120kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 257 steering complaints. 31% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles79under 100k miles178100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
29 owners mentioned a cost$1,300median
Middle half: $700 – $2,000
Power train
11 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $913 – $3,831
Service brakes
9 owners mentioned a cost$5,000median
Middle half: $4,000 – $5,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Mariner year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Mariner median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Mercury Mariner safety ratings
2008 Mercury Mariner 4-DR. w/SAB (Later release) in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Mercury Mariner, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of power steering while drivingNo recall
- TIRE VALVE CRACKINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Mariner owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at 55 -60 MPH, the power steering failed. The steering wheel became increasingly difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was turned off while the contact inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted but a short distance…
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the electric power steering…
The steering wheel does not return to center when making turns. It is more pronounced during left turns. This is a dangerous condition that could result in the vehicle going left or right of center and striking pedestrians, bicyclists, oncoming traffic, fixed objects. An independent service center…
Own a 2008 Mariner?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.