2008 Mercury Mariner Complaint Log

WAS TRAVELING HOME FOR LUNCH, TURNING CORNER AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT TO IDLE. PUSHED GAS PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT ENGINE REMAINED AT IDLE. WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL. WAS ABLE TO IDLE HOME BLOCKING TRAFFIC AS I WENT. CHECKED GAS PEDAL AND FOUND THAT THROTTLE CABLE HAD BROKEN. THE WIRE ITSELF HAD BROKEN. THE RUBBER GROMMET AND CRIMPED END REMAINED IN-TACKED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF FOR INSTANCE I HAD BEEN PULLING ONTO FREEWAY OR CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION, OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD BE INSPECTED ON ALL VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR AND MAKE. THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY A FATALITY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR DUE TO THE FORMAT OF THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. AFTER COASTING FOR A WHILE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RAPIDLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECONNECTED THE ARM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, CATCHES AND LURCHES FORWARD. IT HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE COME CLOSE SEVERAL TIMES, TO HITTING CARS PARKED NEXT TO ME. IT ALSO HAPPENS AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY AND LURCHES FORWARD WHEN IT CONNECTS. IT HAS SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER MY ENGINE AND LEAKED ALL OVER OUR DRIVEWAY. IT'S UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO OUR FORD DEALER WHO SAID, YES, IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THAT'S JUST THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL OF THE COSTS FOR THE PARTS THEY NEED TO DISCONNECT AND MOVE OUT OF THE WAY TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD $700 FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY NEED TO FIX FREE OF CHARGE. WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN AND THAT IS SAYING A WHOLE LOT BECAUSE FORD/MERCURY HAS BEEN MY CAR OF CHOICE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. *TR

TL -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. RVK

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE GAS PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD INCREASE THE POWER. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO GET MY VEHICLE SAFETY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS THE SECOND TIME THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IN THIS VEHICLE HAS SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MY DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST CABLE LAST YEAR AND JUST OVER ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME CABLE HAS SNAPPED. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO PANIC AND WAS ABLE TO BRING MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CABLE SNAPPED TWICE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE KILLED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY DEALER IS REPLACING THE CABLE UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT ARE CHARGING ME TO REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BOX. FORD/MERCURY NEEDS TO RECALL ALL MARINERS AND FORD ESCAPES ASAP. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR SON FROM SAINT LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BACK HOME 250 MILES. AS SHE'S DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILS. WHEN SHE GETS HOME SHE TELLS ME AND I GO OUT AND START THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. SINCE ORIGINAL INCIDENT THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST STEERING (EPAS) WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T. CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, TRI-LAKES FORD AND THEY CLAIM IT'S NOT A RECALL OR A COMMON PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THERE'S IS TONS OF INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING NATIONWIDE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. ANGERED I THEN CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY GIVE ME THE SAME RUN AROUND SAYING THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AND THEY DON'T HEAR OF THIS PROBLEM MUCH AND THEY CANNOT AND WILL NOT HELP ME. HOW MANY LIVES OR WRECKS HAS TO BE DAMAGED BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS A RECALL? FORD KNOWS ITS A FAULT AND NEED TO OWN UP TO IT. THE MERCURY MARINER HAS THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE REPLACEMENT COLUMN AS THE FORD ESCAPE SO I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT IF IT WAS DEVASTATING? WHAT IF MY WIFE AND TERMINALLY ILL CHILD WAS INJURED OR WORSE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM? THE REAL QUESTION SHOULD BE, WHAT OF IT WAS YOUR CHILD OR YOUR WIFE? FORD HAS LOST MY BUSINESS FOR GOOD. AS WELL AS OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TR

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, WHEN VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ONLY REVVED THE ENGINE, BUT NO FORWARD MOTION. WHILE COASTING, MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC & TO A SIDE STREET. FROM A STOP, VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, BUT WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, GOES INTO A "NEUTRAL" CONDITION AND COASTS. PAID FORD DEALER TO DO EVALUATION, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS QUOTED $3000 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE, HAD TO MANUALLY MOVE STEERING WHEEL. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH IN MAY 2012, THEN REPLACED STEERING COLUMN IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY IN JULY 2013. RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD REGARDING POWER STEERING SYSTEM REVERTING TO MANUAL STEERING MODE. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I SUBMITTED THE PAPERWORK TO FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND WAS DENIED. *TR

DIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY I HAD THE CRUISE SENT AT 65MPH AND SUDDENLY THE MARINER WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. I STEP ON THE BRAKE AND IT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE AND SLOWED. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE OF SOME KIND. THEN DRIVING HOME I DIDN'T USE THE CRUISE AND THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN ABOUT 15MPH WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS STAYING AT 55MPH. I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS LOSS OF POWER ABOUT 6 RANDOM TIMES. I'VE USED THE CRUISE ON LONG STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY(THAT I RARELY DRIVE) AND THE MARINER HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN 4 TIMES. THE FOURTH TIME RESULTING IN A SPEEDING TICKET OF 15MPH OVER. THIS WAS 1 OF 2 TIMES THE ACCELERATION WAS GRADUAL. OTHERWISE IT'S AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOORBOARD AS IT TAKES OFF. I SEE ON THE NHTSA THAT THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE QUESTIONED THIS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG NOR RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING FROM FORD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AS SOON AS I AM WORKING AGAIN I WILL BE TRADING MY FORD MARINER IN FOR A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. UNTIL THEN I WON'T USE MY CRUISE AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. THIS IS SCARY THAT THIS HAPPENS AND FORD DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT! *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING SO I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL. FLUID WAS LOW SO MORE FLUID WAS ADDED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE FLUID WAS LOW AGAIN. AFTER CHECKING I NOTICED THE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE LINES WHERE THE LINES RUN INTO THE FLUID COOLER. CONTACTED DEALER AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

I TOO, HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND AN INCREASINGLY SEVERE "SHAKING" OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT IS WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE GARAGE TOLD ME AFTER CALLING FORD DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500 - $2000 WITH LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS IS QUITE A COMMON ISSUE FOR '08 ESCAPES AND MARINERS (HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2008/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_FAILURE.SHTML). IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON, THERE WILL BE NO POWER STEERING AND I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND MAKE A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHILE STANDING STILL. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. HAVING READ THE VAST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ADDRESSING THIS STEERING PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE NHTSA IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR, WHAT SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!! YIKES...... *TR

MY 2008 MARINER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN COLD (WINTER) OR TOO HOT. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE IDLE WHEN STOPPED. WHEN VEHICLE TRIES TO SHIFT UP, IT WILL ONLY SHIFT IF I LET OFF THE GAS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO USE PASSING GEAR TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS LED TO SOME CLOSE CALLS/NEAR MISSES WHEN TRYING TO OVER-TAKE VEHICLES. FORD SAYS THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. FORD SAYS THEY CAN FIX IT WITH MY MONEY. *TR

MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE A/C CONDENSER WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK. I CONTACTED A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT MY LOCAL LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON WHO STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RECALL NOTICE EXISTED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT FOR SOME REASON FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY HAD MADE SOME CHANGE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE A/C CONDENSER AND THAT THIS CHANGE HAS CAUSED A LOT OF PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING TO SO MANY CARS WITH SO FEW MILES. I AM QUITE SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY SINGLE MOTHER FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES FACED WITH THIS SITUATION. YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. *KB

VEHICLE STEERING BEGAN TO GRIND AND MAKE NOISES DURING TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL. VERY LOOSE STEERING AS IF STEERING IS COMING APART. HAVE REPORTED TO FORD, BUT STATED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS, EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON HERE AND OVER 550 ON EDMUNDS.COM. VEHICLE SEEMS UNSAFE AND ONLY 68000 MILES. *TR

ACCELERATOR GAS PEDAL DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS WHEN WEATHER GETS COLD (BELOW 50F). IT REQUIRES A HARDER PRESS TO ENGAGE AND HAVE THE CAR MOVE. IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AFTER A STOP. FOR THE FAILURE TO WORK RIGHT KEEPS US IN THE INTERSECTION AS WE TRY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVING TO PRESS HARDER RESULTS IN LOSS OF CONTROL AS WE MANEUVER THE CAR WHEN TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADDED A LUBRICANT . IT HELPED A LITTLE , BUT IT WAS AGAIN DIFFICULT THE NEXT COLD FRONT THAT WE HAD (TEMPERATURES BELOW 50F). THIS CONDITION GRADUATED FROM THE FIRST WINTER WE OWNED IT IN 2008 TO THIS WINTER STARTING IN 2011. IT APPEARS THAT THE PEDAL WORKS BETTER AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR A WHILE, LIKE 20 MINUTES OR SO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING CORRECTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING TORQUE INDICATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING TORQUE INDICATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 01/18/12*LJ UPDATED 03/13/12

STEERING SHAKES AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING WHEN IN PARK. POWER STEERING ALSO COMPLETELY FAILED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND TURNING IT BACK ON RESTORED POWER STEERING ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH SHE USES TO TRANSPORT OUR 2 YEAR AND 9 MONTH OLD CHILDREN, AS SUCH A FAILURE DURING OPERATION COULD BE DEVASTATING. I HAVE HER TAKING MY VEHICLE UNTIL WE GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

POWER STEERING FAILS ON START UP AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHILE AT STOP. *TR

ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP. EACH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED I HAVE BEEN TURNING AT AN APPROXIMANT SPEED OF 25 MPH AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE CONDENSER TRANSMISSION COOLER/COMBO. LEAKS AT TOP CORNER AT PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE WELD OF THE BRACKET. LEAKAGE COULD LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM ON 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, BUT THE 2008 MARINER IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND UP , SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AND SHAKE. FOUND A BROKEN RING ON THE AXLE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. TOOK A FEW VISITS TO THE DEALER TO FIND IT. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND YOU MUST PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE WEEKS BEFORE IT HAPPENED . ALSO, HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V453000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

LARGE RUSTING AREAS IN BACK SEAT DOORS, REAR WHEEL WHEELS AND TAILGATE. CONCERN LIES WITH RUST THAT CANT BE SEEN WEAKENING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF DOORS AND/OR WHEEL WELLS AND/OR TAILGATE. FIRST NOTICED BLISTERING PAINT IN 2011 AND THE PROBLEM HAS GROWN SINCE. WARRANTY WAS OF NO HELP. HAVE NOTICED SIMILAR PATTERNS ON NUMEROUS MARINERS OF SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, SO THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF SOME KIND. AGAIN CONCERN LIES MOSTLY WITH RUST THAT CAN'T BE SEEN. *TR

2008 MERCURY MARINER - TRANSMISSION COOLER SEVERE LEAK AT 31,000 MILES. OUT OF 36 MONTH WARRANTY. REPAIR COST AT FORD/MERCURY DEALER $850. WAS TOLD THAT IF NOT REPAIRED, THE COOLER COULD BURST AND DUMP ALL FLUID RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF OCCURRING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

POWER STEERING CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO WARNING. BROUGHT TO DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THEN. IN EARLY 2013 IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND IN FEBRUARY 2013 IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH A PROBLEM THAT COULD ONLY BE REMEDIED BY THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS REPAIR WAS DONE FOR A COST OF $1087.41. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS TO DATE. IT HAS SINCE COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT FORD HAS RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL ON VEHICLES LIKE MINE MANUFACTURED AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE AND THINK THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I ASSUME THAT BECAUSE THEIR DATA BASE SHOWS I HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED (WHICH WAS THE ONLY AVAILABLE REMEDY AT THE TIME) IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO MODIFY THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT I BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. WE AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

2008 MERCURY MARINER. CONSUMER STATES SAFETY ISSUES WITH ROTORS *TGW THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROTORS FOR THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE WORN, PITTED AND RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS VERIFIED WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSED AT SPEEDS OF 30 OR 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO THEN ASSERTED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS WRONG AND THAT ALL VEHICLES HAVE RUST ON THEIR ROTORS. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO HIS MECHANIC BECAUSE OF A CONTINUED PEDAL PULSATION BEGINNING AT 30- 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, WHO DID INDEED AGREE THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RUSTED, PITTED AND UNSAFE. ALSO THE REAR DRUMS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ABS WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE TONE RINGS HAD FALLEN OFF. *JB

IN DECEMBER OF 2009 I REPORTED AN INCIDENCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. SINCE THEN WE HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL MUCH. YESTERDAY I ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 60MPH ON A LONG FLAT AREA. THERE IS A MOUNTAIN PASS AND CURVES BETWEEN THAT AREA AND OUR HOME. I HIT THE BRAKE AND SLOWED DOWN AROUND THE 35 MPH CURVES. ON THE DOWN GRADE I TOOK IT OUT OF OVER DRIVE AND DROPPED DOWN A GEAR. THE ROAD FLATTENS OUT AGAIN AT THE BOTTOM BUT I DID NOT REENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. AT ONE POINT AT AN INTERSECTION I HAD TO BRAKE TO TEN MILES PER HOUR OR LESS FOR AN ONCOMING CAR. JUST AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO OUR STREET THE CAR BEGAN RAPIDLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SINCE THE ROAD IS STRAIGHT I ALLOWED IT TO ACCELERATE TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD DO. IT WENT FROM 10 MPH TO 50 MPH BEFORE MY WIFE ASKED, "WHY ARE YOU ACCELERATING? I REPLIED, " I'M NOT. IT'S DOING IT ON ITS OWN." IT DISENGAGED AS SOON AS I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE IS NO WAY THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FLOOR MAT. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 10MPH WHEN IT BEGAN ACCELERATING AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. THE LAST TIME I COMPLAINED TO FORD THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAD LESS THAN 36,000 MILES ON IT. FORD SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THEY HADN'T EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD WITH THE CAR: WHEN IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT THE FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING WHEN BRAKING. FORD SAID THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND RESURFACED THEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY REFUSED TO CHANGE THE PADS OR INSTALL NEW ROTORS. ABOUT 15,000 MILES LATER IT BEGAN VIBRATING AGAIN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH. NOW THE VIBRATION IS SEVERE. WE ARE LOOKING AT A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHAUL. WE HAVE NEVER DETECTED THE BRAKES BEING OVERHEATED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. ANOTHER PROBLEM WE HAD WAS THAT THE TRANS COOLER WENT OUT AT 26,000 MILES. FORD INSTALLED A NEW ONE UNDER WARRANTY BUT REFUSED TO DRAIN AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

ON MAY 15, 2010, I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY IN ROSEVILLE, MN. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE SNAPPED COMPLETELY DISABLING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN, AND WE WERE NEARLY REARENDED AT 55 MILES AN HOUR AS I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE, STEER IT TO SAFETY AND PUT THE HAZARD FLASHERS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 50, 980 MILES SO IT NO LONGER HAS BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON IT AND THIS PIECE IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE POWERTRAIN AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP FEELS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND OBSERVED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD DETACHED FROM THE CABLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ATTACHED BACK TO THE CABLE; AND FUNCTIONED NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,600.

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER MY 5YR/60,000 MILE WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY "TRANSMISSION" COOLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, IT IS CONSIDERED AN "AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM" SINCE MY COMPRESSOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKS FINE. I KNOW THAT A RECALL WAS MADE ON THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PART IN MARCH 2008, BUT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH RECALLED CARS DESPITE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY FORD HAS CHANGED THE PART NUMBER ON THE TRANS COOLER AND ORDERS IT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY, SO THE PART WOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER THE WARRANTY. COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHY MY MARINER WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL? NOBODY AT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CAN EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OR WHY THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. I AM SHUFFLED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THESE DEPARTMENTS. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER TRANSMISSION DURING THE WINTER OF 2010 AND CONTINUING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. FURTHERMORE, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP THEN SHIFT IN ANOTHER GEAR THEN WHEN TAKING OFF THE VEHICLE SLAMS INTO GEAR. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF COMPLETELY WHEN IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE REVVING AND ENGINE CUTTING OFF IS GETTING WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM. *TR

2008 MARINER JUST SERVICED FOR OIL CHANGE, SAFETY, AND NEW AIR FILTER. NOT MORE THAN TWELVE MILES, VEHICLE LOST POWER ON FREEWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF HIGHWAY ONTO OFF RAMP. VEHICLE WOULD START, BUT FAILED TO STAY RUNNING. VEHICLE HAS GAS AND TOWED TO SOUTH POINTE LINCOLN MERCURY. *TR

2008 MERCURY MARINER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT HAS TRANSMISSION LEAK CAUSED BY A FAULTY COOLING CONDENSER. I HAVE HEARD OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS SUCH AS THIS ONE IN THE MARINER AND THE SISTER CAR FORD ESCAPE. THIS REPAIR IS AROUND 800 DOLLARS AND APPARENTLY THERE IS NO SIGN OF A RECALL. I BELIEVE THE PART WAS MODIFIED IN THE 2009 MODELS BUT THIS DOES LITTLE FOR ME AND THOSE LIKE ME. NEW PART CAN EASILY BE DEFECTIVE DOWN THE ROAD AS WELL. NOT REPAIRED YET BUT IF DRIVEN CONTINUALLY CAN ME DANGEROUS TO CAR NOT TO MENTION PERSONS IN VEHICLE. *TR

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ASCENDING A WINDING GRADE ON OREGON 140 AT 50 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY SHOT UNAIDED TO THE FLOOR PUTTING THE CAR IN PASSING GEAR. WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL IT INSTANTLY DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN EARLIER. I HAD DISENGAGED THE OVERDRIVE FUNCTION THROUGH THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER AND WAS IN STRAIGHT DRIVE GEAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY 2009. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME WAS THE MOST PRONOUNCED AND SERIOUS SINCE THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. WE WERE PASSING OVER THE CASCADES BETWEEN MEDFORD AND KLAMATH FALLS. TWO OR THREE MILES FURTHER UP THE HIGHWAY WE ENTERED THE SNOW ZONE AND THERE WAS ICE ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD WE BEEN THERE AT THE TIME OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION THE CAR COULD HAVE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER STARTED STICKING. TODAY IT STUCK AND REMAINED STUCK FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD PUT A 347.00 PART IN IT JUST IN CASE IT IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS CHARGE $70.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR

THE AIR BAG ON MY 2008 (PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST 2009) MERCURY MARINER DEPLOYED (NO ACCIDENT) FORD, IN EFFECT CALLED ME A LIAR BUT FARMERS INSURANCE FIXED THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT CHARGE THE INCIDENT AS AN ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE BUT AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE FORD WHILE BEING VERY POLITE SAID THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. THAT HAS THE EFFECT OF CALLING ME A LIAR BUT, THERE ARE ARTICLES THAT SHOW THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DOES HAPPEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS INVOLUNTARILY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,635. UPDATED 06/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS ENTERING A SMALL DRIVEWAY TO A STORE, THE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. HE THEN HIT A CURB AND DAMAGED THE OIL PAN. UPDATED 12/05/11

ON 09-24-2009 WHILE TRAVELING ON I-95 TOWARDS MAINE NEAR PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OUR VEHICLE A 2008 MERCURY MARINER, WITH 15,682 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY AT 65 MPH. BEING A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER I WAS ABLE TO TALK MY WIFE, WHO WAS DRIVING, OVER INTO A BREAKDOWN LANE IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH TRACTOR TRAILERS, MOTOR VEHICLES AND FIXED OBJECTS. ULTIMATELY THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ONTO AN OFF RAMP AND ONTO A SIDEWALK AND GRASS AREA TO INCREASE FRICTION TO REDUCE SPEED. THIS WAS SEVERAL MILES IN THE MAKING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO UNDER 40 MPH WE PLACED IT IN NEUTRAL AND WERE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. WE NOTED THAT THE RPMS WERE IN THE 4,000 TO 5,000 RANGE AS THE THROTTLE APPEARED STUCK. AFTER TOWING TO PORTSMOUTH FORD, IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE; TECHNICIANS THERE DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A STRETCHED THROTTLE CONTROL & CABLE ASSEMBLY (PART #7L8Z*9!758*C CABLE ASS-THROTTLE CONTRO AND PART # 8L*Z*9725*A SHAFT MT79758A-ACCELERATOR CABLE). TECHICIANS STATED THAT THE STRETCH ACCELERATOR CABLE (WHICH THEY SAID WAS POORLY DESIGNED) CAUSED THE THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL TO LOCK, WHICH OVER RODE THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WARRANTY REPAIRS WERE MADE INVOICE 497086 TAG CUSTOMER #8023451243. WE NARROWLY AVOIDED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT AND FEEL THIS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION AS A DEFECT MAY EXIST IN OTHER SIMLLAR 2008 MERCURY MARINERS. *TR

ON JULY 5, 2009 WHILE DRIVING MY MERCURY MARINER THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. CAUSE WAS A BAD VALVE STEM; ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE AUTO TECH AT WALL MART SHOWED ME THE VALVE STEM WAS DRY ROTTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HAD HIM REPLACE BOTH VALVE STEMS ON THE FRONT TIRES, WHICH ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF DRY ROT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE AIR CONDITIONER TRANSMISSION COOLER ASSEMBLY UNIT. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $800.00 . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIN.

ORIGINAL CONTINENTAL TIRE ON THE 2008 MERCURY MARINER HAS TREAD SEPARATION AND CAUSED A BLOW OUT. CONTINENTAL WILL NOT REIMBURSE OR SWAP ON BLOW OUT, BUT ONLY ON TREAD WEAR. PICTURES OF TIRE SEPARATION ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND TEMPORARILY TIE THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER HINGE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,800. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/19/09.*JB

IN FEBRUARY OF 2009 (AT 41,214 MILES), MY 2008 MERCURY MARINER STARTED JERKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I GASED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THEY PERFORMED A "TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL". THREE YEARS LATER, FEBRUARY 2012, MY CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, TRANSMISSION ISSUES. ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK, IT WAS NOTED "TRANSMISSION/CONVERTER SLIPS AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED". I WAS RELUCTANTLY TOLD BY A SUPERVISOR AT FORD HEADQUARTERS THAT SOME 2008 MARINERS DID INDEED HAVE TRANSMISSIONS DEFECTS BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT KNOWN TO BE AFFECTED AND BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT ADDRESSED IT WITHOUT ME PAYING $4062. I HAVE CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY DETAILS ON THE ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE MARINERS THAT WERE RECALLED. A CAR THAT HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES TWICE WITHIN FOUR YEARS SOUND LIKE THERE IS INDEED A MAJOR DEFECT ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION PARTS BUT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ADMIT IT. I AM SURE MY CAR (VIN) SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AND I. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND FORD WAS WELL AWARE OF IT BUT REFUSE TO CORRECT THE MATTER. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE THAT THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF INSTEAD OF MAKING THERE CUSTOMERS BELIEVE THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR A CAR TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE NOT ONLY ONCE BUT TWICE WITHIN FOUR YEARS. I WILL PURSUE THIS MATTER UNTIL I AM SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS. UPDATED IVOQ 03/28/12 *TR

HYBRID VERSION OF 2008 MERCURY MARINER SUV INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF (2) DASHBOARD WARNING LAMPS: MULTIPLE APPEARANCES OF "YELLOW WRENCH" SYMBOL @ L/EDGE INSTRUMENT PANEL - MANUAL VAGUE, FORD SVC WRITER SAYS LAMP INDICATES FAULT DETECTED IN ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION); CLEARS WITH SHUT-DOWN/RESTART. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO SCHEDULE PROMPT DIAGNOSTIC, CLAIMING ONLY ONE TECH/TOOL. HAS NOT RECURRED IN ~ 45 DAYS. TODAY (12-24-08), THE RED TRIANGLE WARNING @ RIGHT EDGE OF INST PANEL CAME ON AFTER COLD-START & DRIVING <100 FEET - ACCOMPANIED BY INFO TEXT WARNING TO `MAKE IMMEDIATE SAFE STOP'. OWNERS MANUAL LINKS LAMP TO POSSIBLE SAFETY OF HIGH-VOLT HYBRID ELECTRIC SYSTEM, BUT RUNNING DRIVER'S SYSTEM CHECK SHOWED NO SYSTEM PROBLEMS. LAMP CLEARED ON SHUT-DOWN/RESTART, HAS NOT REAPPEARED. *TR

2008 MERCURY MARINER. COMBINED CONDENSER/TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT (BELIEVE IS MANUFACTURED BY VISTEON) LEAKED AT 48,200 MILES. SAME UNIT IS USED IN THE 2008 FORD ESCAPE. HAPPENED TO NOTICE FLUID ON GARAGE FLOOR. OTHERWISE COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WITH RESULTING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THIS DEFECT IS THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS (SEE FOR EXAMPLE AUTOMOBILE.COM) AND WAS THE SUBJECT OF A NHTSA INVESTIGATION # 10024826 AND IS DESCRIBE IN MERCURY'S TSB# 08-5-7. HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL THIS WIDELY REPORTED DEFECT OCCUR BEFORE YOU MAKE FORD/MERCURY RECALL? OBVIOUSLY THE COMBINED CONDENSER, TRANS FLUID COOLER IS DEFECTIVE. ARE YOU WAITING FOR DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES BEFORE YOU REQUIRE THE RECALL? *TR

THERE IS AN OPEN SPACE IN THE FRONT GRILL MEASURING 30-1/2' LONG X 4' HIGH X 2-1/2 ' 3-1/2' DEEP THAT IS 15' FROM THE ROAD, WHICH HAS NO GUARD OR SHIELD TO PROTECT IT FROM SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS FLYING OFF OF THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER GAP ABOVE THIS WHERE DEBRIS CAN HIT THE A/C CONDENSER THAT IS 28' LONG X 1-1/2' HIGH. DEALER CLAIMED A ROCK FLEW OFF THE ROAD AN PUT A HOLE IN THE A/C CONDENSER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3,000 MILES AND WAS A COUPLE MONTHS OLD. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR CONDENSER. CLAIMED IT WAS NOT A COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR