Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. After turning off the vehicle and restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally. The vehicle was taken to and independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft torque sensor was faulty and need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE WAS B2278. …
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while attempting to make a turn from a complete stop, the steering wheel became significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to turn the vehicle by using physical force. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with electric power steering system torque sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,968.
The contact's mother owns a 2010 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while her mother was driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The driver stated the tire pressure and the power steering warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to park the vehicle on side of the road. The owner took the vehicle to the independent mechanic and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,437
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 65,000.
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 owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure reoccurred while driving 35 MPH. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, however, the failure persisted. The contact used physical strength to steer the vehicle and drove to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stopped driving the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, he heard abnormal sounds coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated he lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle was shuddering. The ABS warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated as he drove, the vehicle continued to shudder. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a loss of the steering torque sensor signal. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired, and the failure had been reoccurring while driving at various speeds. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power steering while driving
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA 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 (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05).
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Mariner years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (297), 2009 (167), 2010 (61), 2011 (20) and 2006 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 64% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Mercury Mariner steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-284 (electric power assist system, May 29, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Mariner steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles; 5% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (5 mentions), followed by the electric power assist system (2).
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.