Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The ABS tone rings on the 2008 model Mercury Mariner and Ford escape are defective in design - they are thin metal, but put under stress by being forced onto the half-shaft (different metal, different expansion rate), and therefore prone to cracking/breaking. When cracked/broken, they cause the ABS brake system and regenerative braking to fault out, sometimes intermittently and with no warning. The part itself is cheap (~$10 each), and apparently should be, but the dealer will not sell them separately, and instead requires the owner to replace the half-shaft, with estimates from the dealership and independent mechanics of between $400 and $1000 to replace both front half-shafts. …
"Takata recall" when I was leaving a store yesterday I noticed that my ABS, brake light came on along with a description indicating my check brake system. I never noticed an issue with my breaks prior to these signals coming on and my fianc's car had been functioning well for the last four years. I normally drive the SUV so when I noticed it said that I made sure the breaks were working when I started to move. I did notice that the breaks required more of a firm push when I was needing to come to a spot. I didn't have any accidents or caused me to run any stop lights or stop signs. However, after doing my own research I did find out that this is a problem for the 2008 Mercury mariners and from some of the warnings I have read stated the breaks ended up failing after this all accrued and about got them into accidents. …
ABS warning light comes on and check brake system message comes on at anytime while driving on sitting still. Lose braking power, causing driver to push brake very hard to stop and brake pedal sometimes goes to the floor and you have to use emergency brake to stop. Dealer couldn't look at the car for three weeks said its okay to drive in "manual mode", however manual mode only uses rear brakes and will take vehicle a long distance to stop in rainy conditions.(I went through a busy intersection in the rain and almost had an accident so left it at the dealer). Dealer had vehicle for almost six weeks, replaced the ABS huc twice, finally called Ford. Ford advised to replace all brake hoses "due to restrictions". Dealers are telling owners they have to replace ABS hcu and part alone cost $4700.00. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and brake warning indicators illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to roesch Ford (333 w grand ave, bensenville, il 60106, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed and needed to be replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a third time. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. The VIN was not available.
In a hard-braking situation, brakes failed - no discernible deceleration at all, pushing harder than I've ever had to before. This made for rear-ending the guy ahead of me. Forensics investigator w/ mech found odb dtcs showed only p0a8d and b1318 - one of which shows a low voltage to ABS system. Multiple reports of this with escape Hybrid owners. I wonder if it is related to the Ford fusion Hybrid failures? This occurred at 10-15 MPH. What happens at 60? Local dealership declares "your brakes check out fine and there's no evidence of brake failure." really? How about that radiator and grill that need repair and that quarterpanel sticking out of the right side? Evidence enough? I'd like to see this issue root-caused before somebody gets seriously hurt.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. While driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact pressed brake padel to floor while avoiding collision with other card. Then placed the vehicle into park to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the ABS module control the hydraulic system that control braking. Informed to notify NHTSA of the extreme unsafe braking condition when ABS module fails. The failure mileage was approximately 134,129. Ford motor company charge $4,000 for the ABS module control. They are gouging the American consumer with excessive pricing who wants to drive safely.
April 2016 the ABS light was on along with the message "check brake system and the regen brakes." when breaking the vehicle took much longer than normal to slow and stop. The repair for this was $4100 ($4800 with labor). I was advised that this was a safety issue since the brakes were not working properly and to not drive the vehicle. I chose to have the repair since I need the vehicle for work and still owe money on it. I did some research and it apears that this is a known problem as other complaints on NHTSA and other forums attest to. I contacted Ford and asked that I be reimbursed as this is a safety issue. They declined my request.
Tl* the contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. While driving 45 MPH, the re-gen brake disabled warning indicator illuminated and the brakes failed to operate as intended. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes failed. The antilock brakes and regenerative brakes disabled warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of road. The vehicle was towed home. The contact also stated that the warning indicators illuminated approximately twenty times before the actual failure. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, but they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking lot at 3 MPH, she attempted to engage the brakes but they failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the ABS and the check brake warning lamp illuminated. Also, the contact stated that she had to crash into a tree in order to stop the vehicle. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was 104,000.
Brake complaints in other Mariner Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 29% of the model year's 116 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.