NHTSA — Engine Problems

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,905 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Mar 012020

Mariner Hybrid

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to andy mohr Ford located at 2713 E. main St, plainfield, in 46168 however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #27

Dec 062018

Mariner Hybrid

  • 155,000 miles
Stop safely now chimes and displayed on dash followed by no acceleration until vehicle stalls and stops.starts right back up but continues to happen especially in la rush hour traffic. Very dangerous! had recall work done on the mecs 3yrs ago but problem has continued. This happens while in motion on the 110 freeway in downtown los angleles, ca. Could be the electric throttle body or rear actuator. Or any other component that works with the electric motor and battery.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 292017

Mariner Hybrid

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid. While driving 72 mph, the warning image of a red exclamation point inside a triangle illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the engine and, after a few minutes, the vehicle returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 866-436-7332 and stated that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #25

Feb 142015

Mariner Hybrid

  • 52,001 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Experienced the second of two in-traffic drive-train shut-downs as dangerous as the G.M. ignition switch malfunctions (see ODI#: 10683675) our initial stopping place - in a "reverse gore-point" between the N/B freeway lanes of the I-405 freeway in santa ana, ca and an outside transition road was unsafe in the full-darkness of a non-illuminated high-speed intersection; with traffic zooming by on both sides, with the flashers still active, I res-started the engine -- all dash warnings cycled on then off normally; on a distinct up-grade, I revv'd the engine against the service brakes, and watched for a suitable gap in traffic over-taking us on our right side. Seeing such a gap, I released the service brakes and accelerated to 30 mph towards the outer shoulder...but only made it part-way across the 2 lanes when the second shut-down occurred...the same "check engine" light...the same squealing enunciator tone... the same worthless "stop safely now" message and again, thanks to courteous and alert over-taking drivers, I was able to coast to a relatively broad shoulder section beside a `disappearing' right travel lane. It was now 7:55pm. We were on our cell phone to the aaa when a highway patrol officer stopped behind us to check our situation, and provide additional protection until a tow-truck could arrive on-scene. This is the second of our family's fomoco hybrids to experience such in-use drive-train shut-downs that provide the driver with no usable warnings of impending doom - not even "limp-away power"... the "after-it's-too-late" message-panel might as well display "kiss your a$$ goodbye". the idiot fomoco engineers who decided to "protect" the hybrid battery by "stalling" the vehicle on the freeway obviously never considered what a freeway-speed rear-end impact would do to their precious battery...or to the "replaceable" living occupants of the vehicle.

- Studio City, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 142015

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
Experienced two in-traffic drive-train shut-downs as dangerous as the G.M. ignition switch malfunctions... traveling in 60mph-70mph night-time valentine's night freeway traffic on the I-405 in santa ana, ca. In the #3 lane of 5 lanes, the check engine warning light suddenly flashed on - accompanied by the `screech' of the `check gauges' tone - and the drive-train lost all power -- along with the absolutely worthless text "stop safely now". with no power steering, and limited brake booster reserves, I activated the hazard flashers - and thanks to alert and courteous traffic, was able to stop in a "reverse gore-point" between the freeway lanes and an outside transition road. Things could have come out far-worse if overtaking drivers had been inattentive - or we had to cross the path of a big-rig with limited braking- or steering capabilities. As an accident reconstructionist, this is unacceptable. This is the second of our family's fomoco hybrids to experience such in-use drive-train shut-downs that provide the driver with no usable warnings of impending doom - not even "limp-away power"... the "after-it's-too-late" message-panel might as well display "kiss your a$$ goodbye". the idiot fomoco engineers who decided to "protect" the hybrid battery by "stalling" the vehicle on the freeway obviously never considered what a freeway-speed rear-end impact would do to their precious battery...or to the "replaceable" living occupants of the vehicle.

- Studio City, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 162014

Mariner Hybrid

  • 92,600 miles
Just after starting my car and driving down my street at ~5mph, there was a warning symbol (red triangle) and then message saying "stop safely now." The vehicle then lost power steering, and power to the engine. I restarted the car and made it ~100ft and the same thing happened again. This also happened several times previously on the highway traveling ~65mph and with the same message "stop safely now" message appeared and immediately lost all power to steering and the engine. I went to the Ford dealership and was told to replace the hybrid coolant pump and blend doors and this fixed the problem for several months until today. I had also just taken the vehicle into the dealership for a recall on the power steering. This loss of power and ability to steer is extremely dangerous! this needs to be recalled!

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #22

Oct 132014

Mariner Hybrid

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had the throttle body fixed once two months ago because I was going 45, my SUV. Hazard light came on and it said to slow down and pull over safely. Then it has happened three more times since I got it fixed, my SUV is in the shop again, I paid 845 last time and I still have $15,000 left to pay on my car. I can't afford to keep paying to get this fixed, let alone the safety issue.the lady two times it happened I had my baby in the car on the freeway and I was in the middle lane and it was raining... it was frightening.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #21

Apr 292013

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
My 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid has a dangerous high speed stall condition. It is very serious and puts the vehicle and occupants in a situation that causes a very high risk of a crash. This said, my vehicle is not covered in the current recall" why not"

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #20

May 162012

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
A "stop safely now" warning message came on when I was driving on the freeway at 60 miles per hour. The car immediately lost power and became difficult to steer. I pulled over to the right shoulder as safely and quickly as possible. This has occurred multiple times.

- South Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #19

Aug 102014

Mariner Hybrid

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid. While driving approximately 70 mph, the engine stalled and the hybrid warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle operated normally once it was turned off and restarted. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 062014

Mariner Hybrid

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine shuts off and display says to pull off road. This has been a on going problem. The dealer replaced the throttle body and it still happens. It is very unsafe to lose your vehicle's acceleration and have the engine turn off. I think it may be a computer code glitch because based on what I was told by the dealer the engine shuts off because a fuel mixture issue detect that may even be a false reading. This automated action within the vehicle brain decision puts many at risk as I found out when I was in the furthest left lane about a mile before the 55 freeway turn off while traveling South on the 91 freeway with the car shut off it's engine. I lost power and needed to pull over while a car behind me was flashing their headlights and the car to my right was slowly passing me up. Next came a bigger challenge since there were 2 big rigs on the road and I hit the brakes a little while signalling a lane change with my flashers on I managed to squeeze between the two rigs and almost caused the one behind me to rear end me. The big rig in turn caused the car behind to break and this almost lead to a pile up. That intersection on the freeway where the 55 freeway begins on your left lanes and the 91 freeways continues on the right is a very dangerous place to have to negotiate a pull over. It is compounded with a entry ramp with cars trying to quickly get into the left 2 lanes in order to get onto the 55 freeway. I do not see a reason to have your vehicle turn itself of for any reason other than a fire or a very serious safely issue. Based on what I know the computer of my vehicle puts people in danger over a possible issue with the smog pollution being too excessive for the moment.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #17

Aug 032014

Mariner Hybrid

  • 95,000 miles
While driving the vehicle shuts off with a red triangle and the display says to pull off safely. This has happened about 6 times already. I have taken it back to the Ford dealer and they replaced the throttle body because there is a sensor that fails in the unit and they explained the factory calibrates the whole unit with a steep price tag. Lucky I still have 5000 miles till warranty expires. I guess a number of times it was not a big deal to pull over on the shoulder and restart the vehicle and carry on. This last time we had service done to the vehicle I informed the Ford service agent that we were going on a long trip and if we should get a rental. He was confident the work they performed would resolve the shut down issue. We left la and went on our way to bishop for a group hiking trip. The mariner ran fine for 3/4 of the way and again while driving on a 2 lane road the mariner shuts off. I negotiated to the right as my speed was declining and a 18 wheeler was passing me up on the right and the car behind me was gaining on my rear. It was a bit scary but we managed to pull over safely. Upon turning off the mariner ignition and restarting we carried on to the destination. It was raining and a road conditions were not the best but we did not want to be stranded on the side of the road. Once again after driving for 10 minutes the mariner shut off and with the loss of power. Not a safe situation to have your engine shut off while driving in a freeway at speed of 65 and to suddenly loss your engine with no ability to accelerate out of a unsafe situation. It could be very dangerous if we were traveling on a windy single lane road without a shoulder as there are a bunch in the higher elevations where we hike. It would not be safe to stop and deal with this situation as cars are coming up a hill and your trying to reset the ignition computer system.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 262014

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 106,002 miles
On the freeway with cruise control on at 70 mph in the fast lane the motor unexpectedly stops and the "pull over safely light" came on. This caused a very dangerous situation causing me to move over four lanes to the shoulder of the road. After the vehicle was completely stopped and put in park the motor restarted. Over the last three months this has happened three times.

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 132014

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 62,300 miles
PCM, "stop safely now" & shut-down problem and I have a red triangle illuminated on the cluster accompanied by an audible chime. In addition, the message center will indicate "stop safely now" and the powertrain control module will command the vehicle to shut down. This is where ever you are and it happens really quickly it is for sure a safety hazard.... I don't understand why this has not been recalled, since so many have reported the same problems throughout the years.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #14

Jul 052009

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 15,000 miles
The car shuts off without warning on the highway at speed causing fear, danger and a potential for disaster. Still doing this most recent incident was June 25, 2014. Ford refuses to do anything about this recurring problem I have, as do may other owners of Ford hybrid vehicles.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #13

Jun 162014

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 102,100 miles
Traveling down the interstate, left lane @ 70 mph. I had 1 vehicle behind me and a semi truck / trailer to the right and one behind him. Without warning the engine died and I began coasting in traffic. I hit my flashers and thankfully the vehicle behind me was alert and noticed my instant loss of speed and flashers. They slowed long enough for both big trucks to pass on my right and for me to get over to the shoulder on I-70. Quick research turns up possible issues with a mechanical / electrical pump or maybe the throttle body. I called the Ford dealership and talked to the service manager who didn't have a clue what would cause the issue and was surprised that I found several postings on the internet where people had the same issue in the same model vehicle. I visited the Ford dealership and spoke with the parts department (2 individuals) who couldn't decide which was the correct part number for the mechanical / electrical pump. It is just a matter of time before someone experiences this issue and can't get out of traffic and is involved in a serious or fatal accident as a result. It is a known issue and I also noticed there is a class action lawsuit filing because so many have experienced this same issue. I'd be interested to know what criteria needs to be met before the NHTSA takes action against Ford / Mercury.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #12

Jun 132014

Mariner Hybrid 4WD 4-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact indicated that after the incident the high temperature sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 08/27/14 the consumer stated the coolant pump was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/5/2014

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #11

Mar 042014

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 87,650 miles
Driving in fast lane of freeway when "stop safely now" message with red alert came on. The engine stopped running. No warning, no ability to drive to the side of the road. This is a known fault in this vehicle. I cannot conceive of a problem that would require the engine to stop immediately. It is just luck that we got to the side of the road without incident as there was a lot of traffic, and without power, it was just plain luck that we managed to get to the side of the road. Doing internet research: This is a known fault, but without a solution or a fix. What ever the problem, it seems ridiculous that Ford has a major problem like this that has the engine simply stop. We got to the side of the road. I simply turned off the ignition and re-started the engine, without further problem. There must be some way to at least have some warning time, or a means of propulsion sufficient to get safely to the roadside. Even five minutes worth of power would be sufficient.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #10

Sep 282013

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • miles
While traveling highway at approximately 70mi/hr. The vehicle stalled and "stop vehicle safely" light came on. I needed to pull over turn car off wait and restart engine. This happened again about 25 miles down the highway. After the second incident it did not happen until my return trip the next day repeating the same as above. This did happen to me once before about a yr ago.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 232012

Mariner Hybrid 4-cyl

  • 68,390 miles
While traveling on an interstate highway, car lost power, speed declined to 25 mph and went into hybrid mode. "pull over safely" light went on. We pulled over and turned off engine. After a few minutes it restarted and we were able to drive the car at normal speed. The outside temperature was high--in the 90S--and the air conditioning was on high when the power failed. We had a similar incident about a month earlier while trying to park the car on a hot day with air conditioning on..speed was minimal because we were parking but car lost power and pull over safely light went on. After second incident we took car to a Ford dealer who said the hybrid system cooling pump had failed and needed to be replaced. Cost to replace the pump was $470.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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