2009 MERCURY MARINER Electrical System Problems

This is an update to the complaint from June- Because I have to compensate manually for the electric power steering, I’ve aggravated upper back injuries and strained hip muscles I incurred from work. I have to attend physical therapy for those injuries now, but it’s useless if my only mode of transportation prolongs my recovery.—— My 2009 Mercury Mariner’s steering wheel started locking up 3 months ago, and it’s hard to get the steering wheel and the tires to agree on one direction. I looked up the make and model to see if there was a safety recall for it and there was, but my VIN wasn’t included in the recall campaign, even though it fits the criteria exactly. ///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. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

My SUV was part of a recall due to the electronic power steering failing. My SUV was allegedly repaired by the cheapest of the three available options (computer reset or some such process). I bought my SUV in 2020. The electronic power steering slowly started going out intermittently and then more frequently over time, but is now completely out. The dealer tested my SUV and stated that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. They claim that the problem has nothing to do with the recall, but I don't believe them. My issue is the exact same issue that prompted the recall in the first place. I should not have to pay for a failed recall repair. I think it's possible that the original dealership faked the repair, or simply chose the cheapest (but not proper) option to save themselves time and money. My shoulder is now damaged due to driving without power steering for so long. I need an honest evaluation of my vehicle and an investigation into whether or not the original dealer performed the proper repair. I would assume that the issue wouldn't come back if it had been repaired properly the first time.

The PCM shorts out and fails when sparkplug and Coil packs replaced this cause the steering system to fail speedometer to quit and no transmission connection

Electronic Power Steering System, which was part of a previous recall, and was allegedly fixed, but continues to experience the same loss of power steering. This is a continual problem, meaning that it is not a one time incident. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection at any time. When the power steering goes out while driving, the steering wheel jerks to one side, and feels like a lock-up. The vehicle is still drivable, but can be dangerous in a situation where attempting to avoid an obstacle, could result in an inability to do so, because the maneuvers are being executed for a vehicle with power steering, so when it goes out, those same corrections will not successfully avoid a collision. The dealership is aware of the problem. They did a system check and insist that the steering column needs to be replaced, and that it has nothing to do with the previous recall, but it is exactly the same problem involved with the recall, therefore I do not believe they are differing issues. I believe the initial recall repair was unsuccessful, or the wrong fix. There were three or four options for fixing the issue. There are no warning lights that come on prior to the power steering going out, but a click can be heard however, at the exact moment when the mechanism for the power steering goes out. The same click can be heard when the vehicle is started and the power steering does come on. It usually comes on when it is cold outside. It will then go out once the car gets warm. I bought the car in January of 2000, and I did not experience the issue for a few months. When it did start happening, it was only once in a while - maybe every few months. The problem started happening more frequently with time, with the current status being that the power steering is predominantly not working.

The contact owns a 2009 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the key was hard to insert into the ignition switch. The power steering assist fault message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the ignition housing. The contact called the local dealer who informed her the power steering was repaired in 2014 under NHTSA Campaign Number 14V284000 (Steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 198,725.

Mileage: 198,725

My power steering assist is not functioning this is part of a current recall that apparently my car is not included in even though it was a recall for mercury mariners 06-10 and I drive an 09.

Loss of power steering 90% of driving time

THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH APPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE CAR STILL OPERATES AFTERWARDS, BUT THE WRENCH LIGHT IS STILL ON AND STEERING IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS.

Mileage: 113,000

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHILE DRIVING. IF THE IGNITION KEY IS CYCLED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY FUNCTION AGAIN. THE AFFECTED COMPONENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN 2014, HOWEVER ONLY THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. THE MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS WERE NOT REPLACED AND THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED.

Mileage: 150,000

REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE ELECTRIC ACTUATOR HAS FAILED AGAIN, THEREFORE THE SPARE TIRE CANNOT BE ACCESSED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT'S BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. THIS IS A OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 142,000

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A CITY STREET IN TRAFFIC, THE ABS ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES - HARD! THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND A "CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS, POWER WAS RESTORED AND VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES OVER A TWO MILE DISTANCE. DURING THE LAST 4 TIMES, THE ENGINE DIED, LOST POWER COMPLETELY, AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO CONTINUE. THIS FAILURE WAS A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ALBUQUERQUE LINCOLN VOLVO. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED ABS MODULE, 9L8Z. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ABS MODULE WITH A FAULTLY MODULE. A SECOND ABS MODULE WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED REPAIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT RETURN THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR ANALYSIS.

Mileage: 98,291

WHILE IN MOTION THE CAR WILL STALL CAUSING ME TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY 10-15 MILES AND ITS REALLY UNSAFE! I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP BEFORE I CAN CONTINUE DRIVING IT.

Mileage: 165,228

PROBLEM STARTED IN DECEMBER 2015, AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ENGINE WOULD NOT START WHEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED TO THE START POSITION. HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT IT, AND APPLY DOWNWARD FORCE ON THE KEY UNTIL THE NECESSARY CONTACT WAS MADE. ONCE STARTED IT SEEMED TO RUN NORMAL. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE "IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING". THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE, PART NUMBER 9L8Z*3511*A. ENGINE STARTS NORMALLY NOW. TOTAL COST TO ME $527.74.

Mileage: 118,382

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE OIL AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON 2 OTHER OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THE ANTI THEFT DEVICE WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN

Mileage: 87,000

STOPPED TO EAT AND KEYS WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. *TR

Mileage: 23,324

FAN BLOWER MOTOR ONLY WORKED ON 3RD AND 4TH SETTING. THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY (PART NO. 8G1Z*19A706*A) WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED BY DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 48,678

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DASH LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS GO BLACK FOR 2-5 MINUTES BEFORE COMING BACK ON. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AS THIS PROBLEM POSES A HAZARD DURING NIGHT DRIVING. TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALL ACCELERATION, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD POSING A HAZARD AS YOU HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AN ON AGAIN TO REGAIN CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

MY MERCURY MARINER 2009 HAS HAD ISSUES FOR THE PAST YEAR IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY GOES INTO "LIMP HOME MODE" AT REDUCED POWER, LIKE WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. ALSO, THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL GO ON WHILE DRIVING AND I LOSE ACCELERATION POWER. I CAN PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND NOTHING HAPPENS, THE ENGINE IS STILL ON BUT NO ACCELERATION POWER. I WILL COAST UNTIL I CAN GET TO A SAFE SPOT TO HAVE TO POWER IT OFF AND THEN RESTART IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR BACK AND FORTH TO WORK EACH DAY. THE CAR LAGS WHEN ACCELERATING AND ALSO PUMPS WHILE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR AND WISH I HAD NEVER BOUGHT IT. I CAN'T EVEN MAKE A TRIP TO THE STORE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE WRENCH COMING ON OR IT GOING INTO LIMP MODE. *TR

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR AT CARMAX IN OCTOBER 2012 THAT THE CAR HAS "SHUT OFF" WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEED WHEN CLOSE TO PARKING OR DRIVING SLOW--WITHOUT RHYME NOR REASON--I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT CARMAX TO NO AVAIL, THEN CHEROKEE FORD TO NO AVAIL (WHERE I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY), THEN AT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL.( I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO MY COST WAS 200DOLLARS) THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SEE THE THROTTLE BODY IS MOST LIKELY THE CULPRIT AND A SAFETY ALERT IS ON THE WEB FROM CONSUMER REPORT AND FORD FORUM AND NORTH CAROLINA SAFETY BOARD---I AM HAVING THE TROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE--MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND I WANT IT SAFE! APPARENTLY THIS INVOLVES THIS MODEL 2009-2012. *TR

Mileage: 40,850

AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THAT I SHOULD FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND STOPPED THE CAR IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 16,2013, AGAIN AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT SAY THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 51,777

THE VEHICLE STALLS RANDOMLY. I MAY BE DRIVING OR IDLING AND THE CAR STALLS. IT IS EASILY STARTED AGAIN BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY. I HAVE HAD FORD LOOK AT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY FIRST CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THEN SECOND CHANGED THE GAS FILTER. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

Mileage: 32,000