Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 8 | 21% |
| Engine | 4 | 11% |
| Steering | 3 | 8% |
| Power train | 3 | 8% |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the stop on the side warning message was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the s
NHTSA complaint: Hybrid propulsion system
IN STOP AND GO CITY TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 1 MILE AN HOUR I BRAKED BUT MY MARINER DIDN'T AND I SLOWLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY ABS SENSOR WENT ON THEN OFF EVENTUALLY AN ABS REGEN LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD NO BRAKES SO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHEN SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN ON A SUBURBAN STREET, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. (IT HAD SHOWN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS.) WE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED - BOTH FRONT HYDRAULIC LINES HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE DASH READ STOP SAFELY NOW. I COULD STILL STEER AND BRAKE. IT WOULD NOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. I TRIED
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE CAR SHUTS DOWN THE POWERTRAIN, RESULTING IN A STALL-LIKE CONDITION, AND READS PULL OVER SAFELY NOW. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET AND WHILE PARKED.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND DASH READS PULL OVER SAFELY NOW. IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. I TRIED STARTING IT ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER AND IT STARTED. I DROVE MAYBE 10
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I PUT MY 2006 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. I APPLIED A LITTLE GAS AND BEGAN ROLLING DOWN THE INCLINE TOWARDS THE STREET. AS I APPROACHED THE STREET I PUT ON MY BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TURNING ONTO THE ROAD, WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I TOOK MY 2006 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. IT WAS THE WRONG Y
NHTSA complaint: Steering
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 8 of them (21%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 76/100, 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: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.