Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mercury Mariner, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 7% |
| Power train | 5 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 7% |
| Visibility | 5 | 7% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HIS PATH WITH THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT MOVED OVER
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CD4E - ENGINE STALLING ON ENGAGEMENT/STOPPING. VEHICLE STALLED AT THE RED LIGHT OF AN EXIT RAMP OFF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE STALLED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED WITH HOLES. BROWNELL MOTORS INC IN FISHKILL, NEW YORK WAS MADE AWARE OF T
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR JUST QUIT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THE ISSUE IS THE COILS AND A NOW FRIED COMPUTER SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
AS OF MONDAY OCT 23RD 2017. MY 2005 MERCURY MARINER STARTED STUTTERING, HESITATING, LOSING POWER, SPITTING, SUFFERING, HOW EVERY YOU WOULD PUT IT. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE GAS. IT DID THIS OFF AN ON THIS DAY. LATER THIS DAY
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
ON THE FREEWAY AND CAR SUDDENLY HAS OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING, AT THE SAME TIME I BEGAN LOSING POWER, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF FREEWAY BUT NOT AFTER I OPEN HOOD AND NEARLY GOT RUN OVER. I WAS CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS OVE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY 2005 MERCURY MARINER PREMIER HAS A PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT DOOR SHOWS THEY ARE AJAR. AND IT CYCLES BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE DASH BOARD, YOU HEAR A BEEP THEN THE MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mercury Mariner. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a di
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-3
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 5 of them (7%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.