MercuryMariner2006Overview/mercury/mariner/2006/base/

2006 Mercury Mariner

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Mariner.

Body SUV

The 2006 Mercury Mariner is an SUV that requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for its engine, setting the basic maintenance parameters for this specific model year. With 63 total owner complaints and four recalls—primarily focused on Vehicle Speed Control—the 2006 model presents a distinct reliability profile for researchers to evaluate. Contextualized within the 2001-2011 production span, this year sits just before the model's lowest complaint count of 33 in 2007, meaning the Mariner was approaching its most reliable era but still carried the weight of notable speed control and recall issues.

Model year2011201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 590 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225-70R15OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugAT: 12.0, MT: 35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug7.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)39
RPM39 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket33 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.968 in / 0.88 in / 0.456 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.944 in / 0.86 in / 0.433 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.05

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12.15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9021 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2Loosen 360 degrees360 degrees
322.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 904 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miHybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Mercury Mariner represents the initial surge in this generation’s federal record, with 63 complaints following the 67 reported in 2005 and far exceeding the zero-complaint years of 2001 through 2004, yet remaining a fraction of the 461 complaints logged in 2008. Its four recalls tie the generation high set by 2008, though 2006 logged zero investigations while they began appearing in 2007 and multiplied in subsequent years. Reported top complaint areas were Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train, Suspension, and Fuel/Propulsion System, with five crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints, though the data does not specify underlying causes. While 2007 saw a temporary retreat to 33 complaints and 15 TSBs, the model line’s activity escalated dramatically from 2008 onward, placing 2006 near the beginning of the generation’s elevated activity arc rather than at its peak. Because it avoids the highest complaint volumes and investigation counts of the 2008-2011 period despite carrying a tied-high recall count, the 2006 model emerges as a relatively moderate-risk year within this generation and a reasonable candidate for purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
27
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
63
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 63 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control8
Power Train5
Suspension3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Steering3
Unknown Or Other3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Steering,Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E045000Suspension:Front:Wheel BearingReported 03/06/2015

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda… Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer…

15V606000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor ShiftReported 29/09/2015

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 27 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB-10-18-102010-09-14Engine And Engine CoolingFORD/MERCURY: MIL ON WITH DTC P0351-P0356; MULTIPLE COIL PRIMARY CIRCUIT. BUILT ON OR…
202132008-04-01Service Brakes, Hydraulic2005-08 ESCAPE/ESCAPE HYBRID/MARINER - 2006-08 MARINER HYBRID - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR RING…
08-5-52008-03-01Fuel System, GasolineSLOW FUEL FILL AND/OR DTC P0451. *NJ
08-3-12008-02-01Service Brakes, HydraulicMALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) U2062 (HYBRID…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mariner. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Mariner take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Mariner have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.