Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2005 Mercury Mariner: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mercury Mariner, most recently filed September 2015. Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mercury Mariner. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2005 Mercury Mariner. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V606000 Filed Sep 29, 2015

Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. 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.
Consequence
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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
21.1% repairedof 57 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V606000
Listed for 2005 Mercury Mariner. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 06V111000 Filed Apr 7, 2006

FMVSS 201/UPPER INTERIOR HEAD IMPACT

Seats · front assembly · head restraint
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Repair progress not yet reported134,365 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V111000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (67)

67 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

7involved a crash
0involved a fire
17injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercury Mariner, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 67.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2005 compares with other Mariner years

Best and worst Mariner years →
2005200620072008200920102011
This year (2005)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
19
city
24
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2005 Mercury Mariner configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200423
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 19$3,550468
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2005 Mariner for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Mariner years

Where to next

2005 Mercury Mariner FAQ

How many recalls does the 2005 Mercury Mariner have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 15V606000 (power train), 06V111000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2005 Mercury Mariner problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (15), Electrical system (10), Vehicle speed control (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2005 Mercury Mariner get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2005 Mariner compare with other years?

Among the 2005–2011 Mercury Mariner model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (33) and the 2008 the most (461). The 2005 drew 67. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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