Check a VIN

2010 Mercury Mariner problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Mercury Mariner is acceleration and speed control, typically around 50,000 miles. It has 3.1 times the complaints of a typical Mariner model year.

Year to avoid3.1x the typical complaints
Year score
34/100
Owner complaints
270
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
34
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
20-32mpg

The worst 2010 Mercury Mariner problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Mercury Mariner

Stalling 44Loss of power 37Power steering loss 34Check engine light 30Jerking 19Won't shift 11Steering lock-up 7

Trouble codes owners of the 2010 Mercury Mariner mention

P2111 9P2112 7P2119 2

Recalls 2

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported October 26, 2016 · 329,265 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 16V777000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported May 29, 2014 · 740,878 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 14V284000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Mercury Mariner

Defect investigations

Loss of power steering while drivingOpened April 1, 2015, closed June 14, 2018

On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (the federal safety agency 14V‑284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages

DP15001

Electronic Throttle Body MalfunctionOpened February 21, 2013, closed February 28, 2014

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding to the limited limp home mode.Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that

PE13003

Rear Liftgate Window Glass BreakageOpened April 27, 2011, closed August 18, 2011

In its response to the agency, Ford acknowledged a higher than normal level of glass breakage incidents in the model year (MY) 2010 to early-build MY 2011 subject vehicles.The incidentsoccurred when the liftgate glass was being opened, or more typically while being closed, but in both cases while the vehicle was stationery, i.e., not moving on the roadway.Additionally failures often occurred during early morning hours when ambient and/or liftgate glass temperatures may have been lower.Ford advised that it investigated the failures but failed to identify an anomaly in the glass manufacturing process (which is often a factor in glass breakage trends ODI investigates) that could explain the reports.It did however identify a potential thermal expansion/compression condition in the mounting of the rear wiper motor to the liftgate glass.Starting at MY 2008 vehicle production the motor was attached to the glass using an adhesive.Ford revised that design to a nut and bolt type attachment in October 2010, during MY 2011 vehicle production.ODI's review of Ford data indicates that vehicles built after this change exhibit lower glass breakage rates.Among the 296 consumer complaints on the subject vehicles, ODI identified 15 injury incidents resulting in a total of 18 alleged injuries.All the injuries were minor in nature and consisted mainly of superficial skin cuts or minor lacerations, with two of the injury incidents occurring when vehicle owners were cleaning up broken glass.Additionally both the injury rate and report rate (including warranty claims) are low in comparison to similar investigations resulting in safety recalls (see PE04-045, MY 2002 Ford explorer liftgate glass failure, which resulted in the federal safety agency safety recall 04V442). In November 2010 Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 10-22-10 to address reports of liftgate glass breakage on all MY 2010 vehicles, and MY 2011 vehicles built through 10/15/2010, the date the above design revision was implemented.The TSB enables owners of affected vehicles to have a broken liftgate glass replaced under normal vehicle warranty, which would not otherwise be a warrantable failure, with the revised design liftgate glass.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE11016

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Mercury Mariner 34

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 34 bulletins for the 2010 Mercury Mariner

2010 Mercury Mariner fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cyl HybridFWD343132
2.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid4WD302729
2.5L 4‑cylFWD212823
2.5L 4‑cyl4WD202622
3.0L 6‑cylFWD192521
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD182320

What 2010 Mercury Mariner owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Steering · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, an alarm sounded, and the steering wheel locked up. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence nearby. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Steering · 185,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Failure" was displayed, and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), which the contact related to the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Me and my wife purchased a vehicle from a private seller to use for personal commute. A month later we started to notice more issue were occurring with the car then stated from the seller. I took it to an auto body shop to get it inspected and possibly serviced and upon that inspection the clerk stated that there was a milage adjustment done to the vehicle. We contacted the seller to try and return the vehicle and receive our money back, but the dealer refused and requested us to resell it.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Body · MI

The passenger side of the subframe has holes and will veer hard right when it brakes

Filed May 12, 2025 · Steering · IL

Power Steering assist fault went out with no warning. Now steering wheel is locking up while driving. Also when trying to gain speed the vehicle bogs out.

Filed May 11, 2025 · Fuel system · OR

Engine light came on after putting fuel in my car it is hapless the codes read emission and fuel issues to replace cap but it is hapless it says it's an issue that needs to be fixed now my engine light won't go off

Filed Feb 4, 2024 · Steering · WA

The power steering assist is malfunctioning and it is available for inspection upon request. The steering wheel is very difficult to turn, it's as if the power steering assist is keeping the wheel from turning. No, but I spoke to someone at Ford and they said that it sounded like my car should be in the recall that was announced for my vehicle type but my VIN was not included in the recall. My car has not been inspected by anyone but it says right on the dash board digital display that there is a "Power Steering Assist Fault". Ford does this with many vehicles they recall, a lot of vehicles that should be included in the recalls are not and we're supposed to foot the bill for their lack of concern for public safety? It's going to cause an accident but it's my only working car and I can't afford to pay for their mistakes. How many have died due to their negligence I'm wondering.

Filed Jan 2, 2024 · Steering · AZ

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park the vehicle, the power steering became inoperable. The power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Steering · 65,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while attempting to pull out of a parking space, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2023 · Fuel system · AL

My vehicle keeps throwing codes for the EVAP system. I have noticed many of these vehicles have to have their Purge Valve Cannister replaced along with the selenoid for it. I have to replace mine. Is that not a defect if the vehicle? I have owned several vehicles and never had this issue with any of them.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2010 Mercury Mariner before you buy

Compare the 2010 Mercury Mariner

Other model years

2005200620072008200920102011

Questions about the 2010 Mercury Mariner

Is the 2010 Mercury Mariner reliable?

Owners have filed 270 complaints about the 2010 Mercury Mariner, 3.1 times a typical Mariner model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2010 Mercury Mariner year score?

The 2010 Mercury Mariner scores 34 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercury Mariner: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Mercury Mariner?

Acceleration and speed control, with 66 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is engine (63).

How many recalls does the 2010 Mercury Mariner have?

2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and steering.

What year does the Mercury Mariner have the most acceleration problems?

The Mercury Mariner model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2010 (66 complaints), 2009 (41 complaints) and 2008 (31 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Mercury Mariner get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Mercury Mariner range from 20 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 34 city and 31 highway.

Share your experience with the 2010 Mercury Mariner

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2010 Mercury Mariner?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN