2005 Mercury Mariner: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Mercury Mariner: 2 recalls, 67 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #06V111000 · 2006 · 134,365 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 at the left hand a-pillar trim area.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants May occur.
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V606000 · 2015 · 57 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3l or 3.0l engine and have had their cd4e transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that May not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Why it matters: 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 disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the…
The 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 charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #15E045000 · 2015 · 576 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Why it matters: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 17 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are door / lock issues (3), stalls / loses power (3).
- Speed control / throttle (9): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (8): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2), warning light on (2).
The 2005 Mercury Mariner has 67 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 11 Mariner model years for complaints (well below the 118 average). Complaints peaked in 2007 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 60,068 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (0 complaints, 1 recalls), 2006 (63 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Mercury Mariner.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Mercury Mariner have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Mercury Mariner, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Mercury Mariner problems?
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (15), electrical (10), speed control / throttle (9).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercury Mariner get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Mercury Mariner repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.