Two problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 2008 Mercury Mariner. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Mercury Mariner based on all problems reported for the 2008 Mariner.
Loaned the car to parents to take two 3 year olds to disney world. While on the interstate at cruising speed, car started to rapidly decelerate. Total transmission failure with no warning or previous incidents. Had to have the car towed to the Ford dealership in paducah, ky. Ford confirmed failure. Incident left my son, niece, and parents stranded on the side of the road. Not safe!.
My 2008 Mercury Mariner was towed into my local dealer because the transmission failed without warning and no warning lights came on and the steering had an issue with the steering wheel locking up while the vehicle was in gear. When I took into the dealer they confirmed that the transmission had in fact went out and they would have to replace the steering column due to the problem with the steering was the thrust angle sensor that was embedded into the steering column. The sensor is not servicable and the whole column would have to be replaced. Both failures happen within 4 days! upon talking to the service writer, there was a recall on the transmission cooler lines that run thru the a/c condenser. They called me today and informed me that my vehicle was done and told me it was $5364. 56. He informed me that the trans cooler lines would not be covered due to the transmission failure! how can a factory recall not be covered? I bought the vehicle from the same Ford dealer used and the recall was issued before I purchased the car! how can they sell a car and not perform the recall service before they sold it to me and my family? I asked the service writer if that was the factory part and he stated that it could possible be. If they are not going to take care of a factory recall, how am I suppose to trust them to fix my vehicle properly? I have two small children in this vehicle every single day, twice a day! there have been so many complaints about the transmission and power steering in the 2008 models that I am surprised that they haven't put a recall on those parts yet. There are two more vehicles at the same dealer with the same problem! a 2008 Mariner and 2008 escape. The last 3 cars I bought have been Ford and I will never buy another Ford product again. Somebody needs to stop them before somebody gets hurt or killed.