2009 Mercury Mariner Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  32%
• 25k–50k
  32%
• 50k–75k
  54%
• 75k–100k
  2017%
• 100k–150k
  6150%
• 150k+
  2924%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Mercury Mariner owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact called on behalf of his wife who owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while his was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway safely where her husband arrived with his trailer to tow the vehicle back to the residence. The following day the vehicle was driven to the dealer in manual steering mode. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed the failure with the power steering. The dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,200.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after 15-20 minutes, and the power steering became functional. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The dealer was contacted and charged a fee for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was an abnormal beeping sound detected. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving in traffic and making a turn on a curve, the steering wheel was pulling to one side. There was a low beeping sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 154,204.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving around a traffic circle and making a left turn at approximately 20 MPH, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Marnier. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started to shake. The electric power steering (EPS) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering wheel was locked. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would vibrate abnormally. The contact stated that at start-up the power steering assist fault message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle; she called her boyfriend to the scene and he drove the vehicle home. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while making left or right turns, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was then transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 132,596.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the power steering failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a power steering assist failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 147,377.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the steering wheel was jerking independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Steering complaints in other Mariner years