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.
2009 Mercury MarinerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 315 owner complaints about the 2009 Mercury Mariner, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 14V-284 the manufacturer reports only 72% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 11, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Mercury Mariner has problems
315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
167Steering4 crash/fire/injury
53Engine
44Power train
41Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
22Electrical system
15Fuel system, gasoline
15Fuel/propulsion system
11Service brakes
7Wheels
3212 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 167 | 4 |
| Engine | 53 | 0 |
| Power train | 44 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 41 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 15 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2 |
| Wheels | 7 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 32 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2009 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.
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 121 steering complaints. 26% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles31under 100k miles90100k 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
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,351median
Middle half: $1,250 – $1,500
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
2009 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
2009 Mercury Mariner safety ratings
2009 Mercury Mariner 4-DR. w/SAB 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 2009 Mercury Mariner, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of power steering while drivingNo recall
- Electronic Throttle Body MalfunctionNo recall
In owners' words
What Mariner owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My vehicle was returned to me following a torque sensor replacement on 4/9/2026 in poor condition (locked steering and a catastrophic gash in the driver-side tire) rendering it undrivable and unsafe. Crossroads Ford of Prince George shop's inspection report claims the tire damage was pre-existing,…
The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. The contact added that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality,…
My steering has been locking while I am driving and causing loss of steering and control of car. I have contacted crossroads dealer and I have not gotten a response as I am now aware there has been a safety recall on this vehicle.
Own a 2009 Mariner?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.