Mercury Mariner harsh shifting problems

Filed Apr 21, 2017 · Acceleration, Steering · 135,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury mariner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the cruise control malfunctioned as well as the rpms. The contact stated that the rpms were inconsistent with the actual speed of the vehicle and went up to 4000 rpms at various speeds. In addition, there was a loud clunking noise in the steering wheel and the contact stated that the vehicle downshifted on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · CT

Our 2010 mercury mariner had a clunking and loss of power on two different occasions. The first time we brought it to the ford dealer and he checked codes, etc, only to find nothing. The clunking or loss of power did not came back for a while. Several months later while driving home from work, the clunking sound appeared again, there was an evident loss of power and the orange wrench displayed on the speedometer indicated an issue. I had to work on getting the vehicle up to speed and power again, slowing the traffic in back of me down. The vehile was purchased a year ago, almost to the day and has approximately 52,000 miles on it. I called the ford dealer who made arrangements to bring the vehicle in for a check up. Based on what I'm reading, these are known issues with a throttle? Not certain if there's a recall or not but will certainly find out. Basically, our vehicle is unsafe to drive.

Filed Feb 24, 2015 · Steering · 97,000 miles · IN

We bought our 2008 mariner in january 2013 and have never had any problems with it until now. We received a recall notice about the steering and had it fixed. We still never have had any problems. Last week, about february 18th, 2015, I noticed that while in park with vehicle running, the steering wheel started to vibrate/pulsate without me even touching it. Since then, it has only gotten worse, and I can somewhat feel this pulsation even while driving. It is not only pulsating now, but also making a clicking or clunking noise when it pulses/vibrates. I have researched this problem and have run across numerous complaints of this same problem, and people losing power steering because of this, and when they have called ford was told that it was not their problem. I am really scared to drive it now, but don't have a choice because this is the only vehicle we own.

Filed Dec 26, 2013 · Steering · 114,000 miles · OK

My car is well maintained. I do everything to keep it running well and now the power steering only works half the time. It is now also making a clunking noise in the steering wheel column and the wheel will shake on its own while in park. I have read lots of complaints about this same problem on many I these vehicles and something needs to be done! $1300 is a ton of money to pay to have a "sensor" probably the size of a fuse replaced! And it's very scary when the power steering goes out while your doing 70 down the highway!

Filed Mar 21, 2013 · Steering, Transmission · 99,846 miles · IL

I own a 2008 mercury mariner and I am a little concerned with its safety. On 03/15/13 I was pulling out of my drive and the steering wheel would not turn. I proceeded to put in reverse to get out of the road and backed into the drive. I turned all power down then restarted the vehicle with no problems in the steering. I went to pick up my kids and the steering wheel started to pulsate and I could hear a clunking noise while sitting at a stop sign. Everytime I came to a stop it would do it. On sat. I took it to the local shop. We couldn't notice anything out of the ordinary that would cause this to happen. The only solution was the entire steering column would have to be replaced. I did some research on line to see if this was a known issue or if a recall had been issued. I was amazed at how many complaints have been placed and no recall has been issued. I set up an appt with the dealer for tues. I was working on mon. And left to run an errand for work and the next thing I know, I was driving 65 MPH on the highway and with out warning I lost all power in the driving and heard a loud grinding and then clunk. I thought the transmission went out! I immediately turned on my hazards to try and get off to the side of the road cause I was slowing down extremely fast. I was almost in a 3 car accident and luckily everybody is ok, but it could of been a lot worse! I was towed to a dealer. They confirmed my fears. The transmission went out with no warning. They told me this is a known problem but there was nothing they could do cause there was no recall on this! When I asked as to why, the said not enough complaints have been made! Wow, you have got to be kidding me?!? How many people have to die before these issues are addressed? Very unhappy because it's going to cost $5200 to replace transmission and the entire steering column! Hold ford accountable!

Filed May 24, 2011 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · MD

Transmission cooler leaking fluid causing gear slippage during acceleration. While the vehicle was in drive and the gas pedal pushed it would rev up then slam into gear or not even go into gear at all and stall. Initial research indicated a common factory defect for mercury mariners and ford escapes. Leaking began at 43000 miles, warranty expired at 36000 miles. Advised by dealer repair cost would be $975.00. I was not able to find any recall information on this problem and was basically told sorry it costs so much.

Filed Nov 18, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 85,000 miles · OH

2005 mercury mariner. Vehicle running just fine, except starting sluggish. Needed new battery. I changed it. Right away it began to shift rough on 3 shift (automatic). Read manual and it stated to give time for computer to reset to drive conditions. After 3 weeks I set up appointment with dealership. They charged $119.00, and stated that they updated the computer, but it still did same thing. They informed me they called ford, and was told to replace the transmission for $3500. The technician did not seem convinced of that, and said fluid was fine and did not smell burnt. Said to drive longer. I have written to ford to no avail. They also stated the reason it did not do it with the old battery was due to the computer covering the rough shift. I talked to a transmission expert. He just could not see that being possible.

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · MN

I have been having problems with my 2008 mercury mariner transmission during the winter of 2010 and continuing. When the engine is cold the transmission slips. When I accelerate the engine revs and then slams into gear. Furthermore, while sitting at a stop sign or traffic light with my foot on the brake, the engine will rev up then shift in another gear then when taking off the vehicle slams into gear. On more than one occasion, the vehicle will cut off completely when idling at a traffic light. The revving and engine cutting off is getting worse when the engine is cold or warm.

Filed Jan 14, 2010 · Transmission · 59,725 miles · OH

I have been having problems with my 2008 mercury mariner transmission. When the engine is cold the transmission slips. When I accelerate the engine revs and then slams into gear. Ford refuses to repair the problem under my 5yr/60,000 mile warranty. Although my car has leaked transmission fluid and I have been told my "transmission" cooler needs to be replaced, it is considered an "air conditioning problem" since my compressor will have to be replaced with it, even though my air conditioner works fine. I know that a recall was made on the transmission cooler part in march 2008, but ford customer service told me that my VIN number did not match recalled cars despite having the same problem. Apparently ford has changed the part number on the trans cooler and orders it from a different company, so the part would not be listed under the warranty. Could you please explain exactly why my mariner was not part of the original recall? Nobody at ford customer service or the dealer service manager can explain why my car was not part of the recall or why this defective part is not considered to be an integral part of the transmission. I am shuffled back and forth between these departments.

Filed May 6, 2009 · Engine · 48,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 mercury mariner. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud clunking noise coming from the engine and the vehicle shut off. She was able to restart the vehicle and heard a clicking noise. She was able to safely drive the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and inspected by a technician, who determined that the engine had no oil pressure. The failure caused several lifters and the bearing rod to fail. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because her vehicle was out of warranty. The failure and current mileages were 48,000.