1973 Mercury MONTEGO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
0 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1973 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Pattern summary
There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
72V272000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
Reported: 1972-11-08 (November 8, 1972)
NHTSA campaign record ↗73V181000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1973-09-05 (September 5, 1973)
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2518.5%ODI 103699762005 MERCURY MONTEGO AWD REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR | 1922.4%ODI 10255805 · 30,000 mi2 PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1) TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND 2) CYLINDER 5 FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR | 822.2%ODI 10357770 · 40,000 mi2007 MERCURY MONTEGO SURGES IN BOTH FORWARD AND BACKWARD MODE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND DOES THIS UNEXPECTEDLY. IS THIS GOING TO BE A TOYOTA TYPE PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL TAKE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO GET THESE CARS RECALLED ? THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED AND IT SEEMS FORD MOTOR COMPANY WISHES TO IGNORE INSTEAD OF ADDRESS. THIS IS TRULY A SHAME BECAUSE WE WERE SO PROUD OF AN AMERICAN AUTO COMPANY WHO REFUSED TO TAKE THE GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT , BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY NEED TO STEP… |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2417.8%ODI 10284223 · 57,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. SHE STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THEN IT SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE WHEN THE PART WERE AVAILABLE. THEY LATER STATED THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OPTIONS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. … | 1315.3%ODI 10259410 · 34,820 miI TURNED ON ROAD HEADING SOUTH AND INCREASED SPEED TO LIMIT OF 55 MPH AND SET CRUISE CONTROL. THE ROAD SLOPED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD AND THE CAR WAS NOT REQUIRING GAS. THE SENSOR GOT CONFUSED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT LEAVING ME SUDDENLY WITHOUT POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE ROAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT I DI NOT HAVE A RECURRENCE BUT AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. I TOOK CAR INTO A DEALER AND THEY RESET THE SOFTWARE BUT TOLD ME IT HAPPENS TO ALL CAR MANUFACTURER ON A RARE OCCASION AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPE… | 1233.3%ODI 10336820 · 76,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY SENSOR WAS INDICATING A LACK OF FUEL AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER FOR SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH OCCURRING BEFORE THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,00… |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2518.5%ODI 10272606 · 52,450 miSAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S OUTSIDE MIRROR, THE METAL WAS HOT, THEN SAW A SMALL FLAME, UNDER THE MIRROR, SO WE PULLED THE FUSE. A WEEK LATER WE PUT THE FUSE BACK IN & SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE MIRROR,AGAIN, SO WE PULLED THE FUSE & HAVE LEFT IT OUT. THIS FUSE ALSO CONTROLS THE POWER SEATS, ALONG WITH THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. *TR | 55.9%ODI 10545477 · 109,000 miWHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, SUDDENLY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND WHEN TO ZERO VALUE. THEY FLICKERED MOMENTARILY AND CONTINUED THIS FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE WHILE DRIVING. THE APPEARED TO HAVE RESET THEMSELVES. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, AND HAVE CONTINUED TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE (I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT) IS THAT WHEN THE GAUGES DON'T WORK, THE REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON. THIS MAKES OTHER DRIVERS THINK I AM REVERSING WHEN I AM NOT. I HAVE DONE ADDITIONAL O… | 616.7%ODI 10413082 · 80,000 miWE HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEPLETED. ONCE JUMP STARTED THE CAR WILL THEN OPERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED ONCE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY MECHANICS SEVERAL TIMES, NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. WE OFTEN TIMES SMELL A BURNT PLASTIC ODOR JUST BEFORE THE FAILURES. THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIME OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS, EVEN DURING WARRANTY. FORD DID NOTHING FOR US. *TT |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 133.3%ODI 10118530 · 12,000 mi2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER I'VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; A HARD JERKING WHEN YOU PLACE IT IN REVERSE,AND ROUGH SHIFTING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, AND OFTEN SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL QUITS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, REPLACED BUT STILL A PROBLEM.*AK | 2317.0%ODI 10133582 · 423 miPURCHASED VEHICLE IN JAN.05 SEAT BELT REPLACED IN JAN TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN FEB. 05 AND A VALVE REPLACED DUE TO CHECK ENGINE WARNING FUEL PUMP REPLACED IN AUG.05, NOW HAVE TROUBLE STARTING CAR | 89.4%ODI 10145653 · 200 miI PURCHASED A NEW MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER WITH A 6 SPEED ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT IS AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT WHILE TRAVELING DOWN STEEP GRADES THERE IS NO WAY TO DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. I HAVE TO RELY ON THE BRAKES ONLY AND THEY OVERHEAT ON LONG MOUNTAINOUS GRADES. SOME ARE 7% TO 9.5% GRADES IN WEATERN N.C. ,NORTHERN GA. , AND EASTERN TN. WITH NO WAY OF GOING TO A LOWER GEAR TO HELP SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN , THE BRAKES TAKE EXTREME ABUSE AND COULD FAIL FROM OVERHEATING. I CAN ONLY IMAG… | 12.8%ODI 10389916NEED YOU TO LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO.... THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE IS GREAT.. I HAD OTHERS INQUIRE ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION... SLIPPING. *TR |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 107.4%ODI 10460882 · 89,000 miTHE INSTRUMENT GAUGE ON MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO JUST WENT "DEAD". NOTHING REGISTERED, SO THERE WAS NO READING ON MY SPEED, ENGINE HEAT GAUGE, FUEL LEVEL, OR TACHOMETER. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN EARLY SPRING OF THIS YEAR (2012), BUT DID NOT REPEAT UNTIL RECENTLY. IT IS NOW JUNE AND THE SAME THING HAS RE-OCCURRED ABOUT 10 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THIS SOMETIMES (BUT NOT ALWAYS), "FIXES" THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, IF THE GAUGES DO WORK, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TURNS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON,… | 1821.2%ODI 10466831 · 94,500 miCAR WAS COMPLETLY STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD 5 FEET WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS MAKES THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME IN THE PAST YEAR IT HAS HAPPENED. LUCKY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. *TR | 25.6%ODI 10492363 · 70,000 miCAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE TO PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AS YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE LUNGING MOTION THAT COULD POSSIBLY PIN SOMEONE WALKING NEARBY AS YOU ARE PARKING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY AND ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BY THE MAKER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 53.7%ODI 10469140 · 69,000 miTHE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2011. AUGUST 2011, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND ACT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN GRADUALLY APPLYING THE BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUDDER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONLY IF THE ENGINE WAS WARM. BY MARCH 2012, THE SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION AND JERK WAS CONSTANT. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT IN APRIL OF 2012. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, DUE TO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO JERK. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. JUNE 2012 THE TRANSMISSION W… | 44.7%ODI 10471589 · 60,000 miWHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL, OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE (OR REVERSE TO DRIVE), THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD OR BACK WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN BE A HAZARD, IF NEAR PEDESTRIANS OR IF PARKED IN A TIGHT SPACE. ADDITIONALLY, IF THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES,(EG:PARKING) THE CAR WILL STALL & THE REPAIR "WRENCH" ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE & RE-STARTED TO GET BACK TO NORMAL. THIS UNFORTUNATELY IS TOO COMMON OCCURRENCE. IS FORD WAITING FOR A FATALITY BEFORE TAKING STEPS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION. *TR | 25.6%ODI 10492363 · 70,000 miCAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE TO PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AS YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE LUNGING MOTION THAT COULD POSSIBLY PIN SOMEONE WALKING NEARBY AS YOU ARE PARKING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY AND ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BY THE MAKER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 64.4%ODI 10167673REAR BRAKES ARE EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE FIRST INCIDENT OF GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED AT 100 MILES. AT 196 MILES THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND PADS. SQUEAKING, GRINDING NOISES AND EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE DUST CONTINUED. CURRENTLY AT 18,846 MILES THE GRINDING IS EXTREMELY LOUD. THE DEALER CLAIMS I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ONE RIGHT REAR ROTOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS INCIDENT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS IS ABNORMAL BRAKE WEAR AND THE OWNERS OF FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE… | 33.5%ODI 10186491 · 17,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. AT 60 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE'S RPMS INCREASED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT IT OFF WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING ONCE WHEN THE MECHANIC WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF IT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE LEFT REAR BRAKE SEIZED, FORCING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE CONTA… | 25.6%ODI 10203074 · 22,000 miBRAKES ARE FAULTY ON FORD 500 AND MERCURY MONTEGO. THEY DISINTEGRATE EARLY WITH ONLY 10,000-12,000 MILES ON THEM. THIS CAUSES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS, AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN THEY ARE OKAY ONE DAY, AND GONE THE NEXT AFTER FORD DEALERS CLEARED THEM AT A CHECK-UP JUST A FEW MILES EARLIER. *JB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 43.0%ODI 10310769 · 55,000 miCAR SHOWED "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" ON THE DISPLAY PANEL AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I HIT THE GAS ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES. ENGINE RESPONSE WAS INTERMITTENT AFTER THIS AND THEN THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL SHOWED UP. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY AND LOOK AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THIS MEANT. COULD NOT FIND DETAILS. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE "WRENCH" WAS GONE AND THE "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" DISPLAY WAS NO LONGER SHOWING. WORRIED THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN... *TR | 67.1%ODI 10255805 · 30,000 mi2 PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1) TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND 2) CYLINDER 5 FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 10 complaints · 2007: 5 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| 2007 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 84 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 35 | 0 | 1 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component |
|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.