NHTSA — Steering Problems

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
112,336 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.

2011 Mercury Mariner steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Mercury Mariner Owner Comments

problem #18

Jul 032023

Mariner

  • 125,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated while entering a fast-food drive-thru, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #17

Jan 102023

Mariner

  • miles
While my wife was driving the vehicle, the power assisted steering failed and produced a "power assist fault code" on the display. The car became too hard for a 74 year old woman to be able to steer. I took the car to the Ford dealer near me who confirmed it was the steering torque sensor had failed and needed to order in one and would cost $600 to replace. I did a VIN search on your data base, but it didn't show any recalls for this problem. However a google search showed a recall for my vehicle make, model and date of manufacturer and part of the Ford 14SO5 recall. The information on your web site shows that Mercury Mariners manufactured prior to Sept.11, 2010 were affected. Mine was manufactured in August of 2010. According to the Ford notices as published on your web site my car should be part of that recall and should receive a software update that would prevent the steering assist from being turned off. The Ford dealer is refusing to do the update and sensor replacement for free since that recall doesn't show up under my VIN. Its funny, because my car is doing the exact thing the recall was for and fits the vehicle description and date of manufacture to qualify.

- Hiawassee, GA, USA

problem #16

Dec 012021

Mariner

  • 200,732 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the steering wheel was spinning in circles. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 200,732.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #15

Feb 212022

Mariner 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. After turning off the vehicle and restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally. The vehicle was taken to and independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft torque sensor was faulty and need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V284000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE WAS B2278. THE CONUSMER STATED DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE DETAILED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #14

Dec 022020

Mariner

  • 125,000 miles
I'm very upset and on the verge of tears! my steering wheel suddenly locked on me! I almost wrecked! this has happened a few times & I have no warning light on my dashboard

- Cathedral City, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 012020

Mariner

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced intermittent power steering assist failure with an unknown warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that there was a recall on the vehicle for the power steering assist failure. The vehicle was then taken to bright bay Lincoln, Inc. (1174 sunrise hwy, bay shore, NY 11706) and newins bay shore Ford (219 w main St, bay shore, NY 11706) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The contact also called hassett Ford (3530 sunrise hwy, wantagh, NY 11793, (516) 785-7800) and was provided the same information as the other dealers. The manufacturer had was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Amityviile, NY, USA

problem #12

Mar 012019

Mariner

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to K C motorsports (located at 2401 E 11th St, tulsa, ok 74104, (918) 599-0066) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #11

Nov 152018

Mariner

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering ability became very difficult. The contact decreased the speed and drove home. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #10

Apr 122018

Mariner

  • 126,000 miles
Regarding: NHTSA recall number 14V-284, Ford recall number 14S05 electric power steering the recall instructions to dealers call for a signal test and either reprogramming a sensor or replacing the torque sensor based on the results. It also calls for replacing the torque sensor upon failure if the failure occurred before the vehicle had the recall sensor performed. The recall instructions to dealers also tells them that a torque sensor that fails after the reprogramming was done is not covered by the recall. The purpose of the sensor reprogramming was to initiate a warning in the driver control center upon imminent sensor failure, but does nothing to fix, repair or replace the defective part. I had the dealer perform the test and software upgrade and was under the mistaken impression that the recall was to actually replace the statistically faulty part, and not just a potential warning. The electric power steering on my vehicle failed on 4-12-2018 and, incidentally, I did not get a warning on the driver information center before the failure; so the reprogramming did nothing for my vehicle. My question is why is Ford/Mercury not required to replace the failed sensors that are the subject of the recall" I understand Ford not being required to replace sensors that might fail but giving drivers notice of imminent failure, but Ford should be required to replace sensors that do fail even after the reprogramming because the reprogramming is not intended to fix the problem just warn drivers. The sensor replacement is nearly a $2000 repair that I believe should be covered by the recall. Can the NHTSA explain the rational for not requiring Ford to actually fix the defect that causes a serious hazard"

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #9

Feb 232018

Mariner

  • 165,000 miles
While driving on I90, recently noticed noise in steering column which has gotten progressively worse and steering wheel now shakes. Taken to Ford dealer was told it was atorque angle steering sensor. Fix about $500 unless the steering column is broken! fix then 1530. How does a steering column break? recall 14S05 for steering problem. Supposedly if this was fixed Ford is released from any recall dealing with steering if it has been replaced. Apparently Ford omitted this info from the public just wondered if I have any recourse to resolve this. Ford dealer says no recall. Ford company says this is not under recall as I had prior recall taken care of. There are numerous other complaints regarding this vehicle and the same exact problem with the exact same outcome. I have had other problems with Ford products resulting in hospitalization and haven't done anythingg I can not allow this one to go unnoticed. Thank you

- North East, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 022018

Mariner 4WD 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles

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

Ford has not fixed the issue! vehicle was taken in do you do recall my previous owner and only software was updated pertaining to the power steering recall. It is not a software update issue. The torque sensor must be replaced. Ford will not cover nor reimburse this issue. Many other customers are having this exact same problem. The power steering assist goes out without warning and makes the vehicle very dangerous to drive. I was driving my vehicle this morning and out of nowhere the turning became very difficult.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #7

Jan 232018

Mariner

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to turn and the power steering assist warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was once repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V284000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was a one time repair. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Bedford, OH, USA

problem #6

Jun 062017

Mariner

  • 102,000 miles
Power steering assist will go out without warning causing the car to lose it's power steering and may even lock up totally.this has happened repeatedly since June of 2017 and has gotten progressively worse. We had to repair it in December of 2017 at a cost of $1500.

- Sidney, OH, USA

problem #5

Aug 212016

Mariner

  • 147,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 (na) Mercury Mariner. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the contact heard a loud abnormal sound and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the bins, gears, and steering column failed and was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for this failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,500.

- Mt Vernon, KY, USA

problem #4

Sep 052016

Mariner

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Mercury Mariner. While driving approximately 35 mph and attempting to make a turn, the steering ability seized. The vehicle struck a curb and was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired last year per an unknown recall for the steering module. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

- Woodstown, NJ, USA

problem #3

Oct 162015

Mariner

  • 148,909 miles
I was driving my vehicle at a low rate of speed on a city street on 10/16/15 and as I turned a corner, about to pull into a driveway, there was a complete loss of power steering ! the vehicle was very difficult to control and it took all my strength in both arms to complete the turn and pull into the driveway safely. The vehicle was towed to crest Ford dealership in flat rock, mi and the diagnostic code they detected indicates they need to replace the entire steering column and is supposed to be covered under Ford's recall 14S05. Dave in their service department took what he described as "the first step" by sending an email to request that this repair service be performed under the recall. It was denied by Ford because a different code, also covered by this recall, was addressed by Liberty Ford in brunswick oh on 5/11/15 (at which point they updated the power steering control module). I contact Ford customer service myself on 10/19/15 and was told that the "program had been closed" on my vehicle because service under the recall has already been performed. It's ridiculous that they aren't now going to service the additional problem that has occurred and is supposed to be covered by this recall!

- New Boston, MI, USA

problem #2

Mar 022015

Mariner 4WD 4-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
I went to my mechanic with a steering problem, and it was part of the torque sensor issues that was recalled. My car falls in those dates but there is no recall on my VIN for that part. And I don't get why.

- Necedah, WI, USA

problem #1

Dec 132014

Mariner 4-cyl

  • 37,900 miles
Driving at 40 mph car stalls, pull over, car starts up engine lite on, (sat) take to dealer on mon (12/15/2014), explain to dealer, they call 3 hours later to say "purge valve needs to be replaced"ok this should be covered right? she says no! the cost to you will be $320.33. I told her this is part of the emissions, it has to be, she said no its not! I purchased this car from this dealer 3 1/2 years ago, (bought is new) still underwarranty.. but this is not covered! the 800 number to Ford blew me off! and said what the dealer says goes!>. why did she suggest I call them then! (not good customer service) I was hoping for explanation! please help, this should be covered. Look at your on line complaints about this! shame shame shame. Of course I paid it, I need my car! please note I was told that there were at 5 or more cars with the same/similar problem.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

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