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 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mercury Mariner, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 13% |
| Power train | 5 | 8% |
| Suspension | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Vehicle sub-frame broke at point where lower control arm attaches, causing Right front wheel to suddenly turn right. Sub-frame rusted through!
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUT OFF, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS BEEN DRIVEN IT WILL SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND ME AND MY FAMILY H
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS DAUGHTER WHO OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HIS DAUGHTER TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 -20 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNI
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
ENGINE SUDDENLY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. MESSAGE ON DASH SAYS TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
RECALL FOR COOLANT PUMP ON HYBRID SYSTEM COULD RESULT IN HYBRID ELECTRONIC OVERHEATING CAUSING A STALL LIKE CONDITION RECALL WAS ADDRESSED BY DEALERSHIP BACK ON 7/20/2015 2ND OWNER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR 9 MNTHS - HAVE HA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE GEAR SHIFT IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. IT GOES FROM PARK TO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. SOMETIME IT WONT REVERSE AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. IT CLICK BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. IVE REPLACE THE SWITCH TO SEE IF THAT WOULD WORK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DEIVING A MESSAGE ON THE DASH STATED TO STOP WHILE IT IS SAFE. THE CAR PROCEDED TO STALL. IT COULD NOT BE STARTED. I HAPPEN TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND REQUIRED TO CALL FOR HELP TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE S
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
THE CAR SHUTS DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 60-70 MPH. A RED TRIANGLA IS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH A MESSAGE, PULL OVER STOP SAFELY NOW. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER DRIVING G APPROXAMATELY 30 MILES. LUCKILY I
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 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
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fa
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on Oct
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Risk: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. I
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LIN
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | 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 63 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 8 of them (13%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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.