U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Mercury MONTEGO: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

135 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

69,590 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 122 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 135 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	49	36.3%
Braking behavior	32	23.7%
Engine operation	10	7.4%
Electrical and battery issues	7	5.2%
Steering behavior	1	0.7%
Fuel system concerns	1	0.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Power Train

Vehicle Speed Control

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Engine

Structure:Body

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	25
Power Train	25
Vehicle Speed Control	24
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	23
Engine	10
Structure:Body	8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads	6

Electrical System: 25; Power Train: 25; Vehicle Speed Control: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 23; Engine: 10; Structure:Body: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 10

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 13 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.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2025

2005: 5; 2006: 4; 2007: 9; 2008: 7; 2009: 11; 2010: 16; 2011: 22; 2012: 10; 2013: 11; 2014: 7; 2015: 8; 2016: 11; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 49 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

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.

Owner report 10117896 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)

MY NEW MERCURY MONTAGE SEDAN IS EQUIPPED WITH OVERSIZED SIDE MIRRORS-APS 2 HIGHER AND 3 LONGER THAN THE AVERAGE SIZE ON COMPARABLE VEHICLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS IT BLOCKS OUT THE ENTIRE SIZE OF A VEHICLE WHEN GOING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS, NARROW STREETS, ALLEYS, AND PARKING LOTS. ALSO ,CANNOT SEE PEDESTRIANS, WHEEL CHAIRS, ETC .,THAT MAY BE WAITING IN THE GUTTER. WHEN TURNING, THE LARGER SIZE MIRROR REFLECTS CARS THAT ARE BEHIND YOU, YET APPEAR TO BE COMING FROM THE SIDE. IN EVENING HOURS, THE LARGER SIZE REFLECTS THE HEADLIGHTS OF…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117896 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10124276 · 2005-06-06 (June 6, 2005)

ABS BRAKE FAILURE, GAS CAP WARNING COMING ON AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE ALL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE CAR IS 7 WEEKS OLD

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124276 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10133582 · 2005-08-19 (August 19, 2005)

PURCHASED 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

Owner-reported narrative. 423 miles reported. Look up ODI 10133582 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10140819 · 2005-10-26 (October 26, 2005)

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ONLY PROJECT OUT ABOUT 2 OR 3 CAR LENGTHS. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH ON DARK UN-LIT ROADS. HAVE HAD DEALER CHECK THE AIM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS RIGHT ON SPEC AND IF IT WASN'T IT WAS AT MAX ADJUSTMENT FOR HEIGHT. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THEM MYSELF PER OWNERS MANUAL AND APPARENTLY DEALER IS CORRECT BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO ELEVATE THEM AS WELL. VERY DANGEROUS, CANNOT SEE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO BRAKE UNLESS GOING VERY SLOWLY. HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE, NO PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10145856 · 2005-12-21 (December 21, 2005)

DT: THE CONTACT STATED DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145856 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10160267 · 2006-06-20 (June 20, 2006)

REAR BRAKES DUST BADLY AND HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR. DOCUMENTED THIS COMPLAINT ON FIRST TRIP TO DEALER AFTER BUYING CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO ANOTHER MERCURY DEALER. TODAY THEY TELL ME FORD HAS RE-ENGINEERED THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN A YEAR OLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW BRAKE PADS. *NM UPDATED 07/30/08

Owner-reported narrative. 22,649 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160267 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10167673 · 2006-09-08 (September 8, 2006)

REAR 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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10167673 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10173339 · 2006-11-13 (November 13, 2006)

I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY NEWBORN DAUGHTER WHEN I HEARD THIS AWFUL RUMBLING FROM MY LEFT REAR TIRE. UPON GAINING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND GETTING IT SAFELY OFF THE DESERTED COUNTRY ROAD INTO A FIELD, I SAW THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DEFLATED AND BARELY HANGING ON THE RIM. AFTER TAKING THE TIRE TO BE REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD THE TIRE WAS UN-REPAIRABLE, AND THE TIRE HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ACCORDING TO MY TIRE MAN. THE TIRE HAD BUBBLED IN SEVERAL PLACES ALONG THE INNER RIM. THE FLAT HAD COME FROM A SMALL NAIR HOLE THE REPAIRMAN SAID WOULD NO…

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173339 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

Reported: 2005-11-09 (November 9, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

06V383000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Reported: 2006-10-05 (October 5, 2006)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

135 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

90.4%Usable mileage122 / 135 records

100.0%Valid incident date135 / 135 records

100.0%Valid filing date135 / 135 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates135 / 135 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2004	2005	2006	2007
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2518.5% ODI 10369976 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO AWD REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR Look up ODI 10369976 at NHTSA ↗	1922.4% ODI 10255805 · 30,000 mi 2 PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1) TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND 2) CYLINDER 5 FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10255805 at NHTSA ↗	822.2% ODI 10357770 · 40,000 mi 2007 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… Look up ODI 10357770 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2417.8% ODI 10284223 · 57,000 mi TL*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. … Look up ODI 10284223 at NHTSA ↗	1315.3% ODI 10259410 · 34,820 mi I 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… Look up ODI 10259410 at NHTSA ↗	1233.3% ODI 10336820 · 76,000 mi TL* 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… Look up ODI 10336820 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2518.5% ODI 10272606 · 52,450 mi SAW 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 Look up ODI 10272606 at NHTSA ↗	55.9% ODI 10545477 · 109,000 mi WHILE 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… Look up ODI 10545477 at NHTSA ↗	616.7% ODI 10413082 · 80,000 mi WE 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 Look up ODI 10413082 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	133.3% ODI 10118530 · 12,000 mi 2004 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 Look up ODI 10118530 at NHTSA ↗	2317.0% ODI 10133582 · 423 mi PURCHASED 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 Look up ODI 10133582 at NHTSA ↗	89.4% ODI 10145653 · 200 mi I 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… Look up ODI 10145653 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 10389916 NEED 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 Look up ODI 10389916 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	107.4% ODI 10460882 · 89,000 mi THE 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,… Look up ODI 10460882 at NHTSA ↗	1821.2% ODI 10466831 · 94,500 mi CAR 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 Look up ODI 10466831 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10492363 · 70,000 mi CAR 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 Look up ODI 10492363 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	53.7% ODI 10469140 · 69,000 mi THE 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… Look up ODI 10469140 at NHTSA ↗	44.7% ODI 10471589 · 60,000 mi WHEN 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 Look up ODI 10471589 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10492363 · 70,000 mi CAR 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 Look up ODI 10492363 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	64.4% ODI 10167673 REAR 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… Look up ODI 10167673 at NHTSA ↗	33.5% ODI 10186491 · 17,000 mi TL*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… Look up ODI 10186491 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10203074 · 22,000 mi BRAKES 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 Look up ODI 10203074 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	43.0% ODI 10310769 · 55,000 mi CAR 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 Look up ODI 10310769 at NHTSA ↗	67.1% ODI 10255805 · 30,000 mi 2 PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1) TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND 2) CYLINDER 5 FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10255805 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	67,438–126,000 mi	82,500 mi	24	ODI 10272606 · 52,450 mi SAW 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 Look up ODI 10272606 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10341051 · 50,327 mi ON JUNE 22, 2010 I NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FURTHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND JUMPING. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PULLING A 15% GRADE, ONCE TO THE TOP EVERYTHING SMOOTHED OUT. THEN 2 MILES FURTHER ANOTHER HILL CAME. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO STARTED TO BUCK AND JUMP ONCE AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME THAT EVENING. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT. WHAT WAS FOUND WAS AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECT THA… Look up ODI 10341051 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10345904 · 80,000 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT DOWNWARD SPIRAL.APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION,BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THE TOOLS OR PARTS TO REPLACE ANYTHING IN IT, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.APPROX. 1 WEEK AGO, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR REVVED UP TO APPROX. 3500 RPM AND PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I THEN TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WAS ACTIVATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A SMALL W… Look up ODI 10345904 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	53,018–101,000 mi	68,250 mi	21	ODI 10416322 · 101,000 mi 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO LUNGES FORWARD AND WHEN IN REVERSE ALSO IT STALLS AND SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY AND HAVE PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AT TIMES. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND GOT THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER A WEEK. TR Look up ODI 10416322 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10434231 · 53,018 mi THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT COST ME $736.83. THIS WAS DONE ON 10/06/2010. NOW AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAS GONE BAD. THIS TIME THE ESTIMATE IS $950.00. MY MILEAGE IS 90,361. NOW A LITTLE MORE THAT A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR I NEED TO PERFORM THIS REPAIR AGAIN. I BELIEVE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE FORCED ON THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT AR… Look up ODI 10434231 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10437710 · 32,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP VIOLENTLY IN A JERKING MOTION. IN ADDITION, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NINETEEN DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE SERVICE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. Look up ODI 10437710 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	62,500–128,625 mi	83,155 mi	22	ODI 10284223 · 57,000 mi TLTHE 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. … Look up ODI 10284223 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10310294 · 27,000 mi WHILE IDLING WHEN STOPPED OR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, THE ENGINE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO ABOVE 3500 RPM CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNLESS THE BRAKE IS FIRMLY APPLIED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LASTS 3 TO 5 SECONDS. PLACING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 7 TIMES. DEALER SAYS THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM REPORTS NOTHING UNUSUAL. TR Look up ODI 10310294 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10326674 · 51,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER RESET THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W… Look up ODI 10326674 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	49,138–77,750 mi	55,000 mi	22	ODI 10133582 · 423 mi PURCHASED 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 Look up ODI 10133582 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10246208 · 51,000 mi WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SPUTTERED AND THEN TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT BUT INSTEAD LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CARS FRONT TIRES TO SQUEAL AND A RAPID SLOW DOWN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ANYTIME I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. WITH CAREFUL DRIVING I CAN MINIMIZE IT BUT AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE VERY WELL. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST. *TR Look up ODI 10246208 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10254297 · 37,693 mi MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT THAT WAS IN HAZELWOOD MISSOURI. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT SOMEONE TO HELP ME IN A TERRIBLE SITUATION. I BOUGHT A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAR, AND UP UNTIL NOW, NOT ONLY AM I DISAPPOINTED BUT VERY UNSATISFIED WITH MY CAR AND FORD AUTO COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, THE MORE I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE MORE IT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO FORWARD OR REV… Look up ODI 10254297 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	91,750–131,400 mi	106,243 mi	10	ODI 10460882 · 89,000 mi THE 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,… Look up ODI 10460882 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10474170 · 108,485 mi I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 108K, GOT WAY OVERCHARGED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY CREDIT. THE SECOND DAY THAT I HAD THE CAR I WAS TAKING MY BABY TO DAY CARE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE ALMOST GOT HIT. THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME ON. THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK TODAY AND IT DID IT AGAIN! I'M ABOUT TO LOOSE IT! TR Look up ODI 10474170 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10544569 · 133,000 mi I WAS IN THE MEDDLE LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL MY ACCELERATION. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT EVERY FEW MILES IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED ! MY PART COST OVER 600.00 SO IT SETS IN THE DRIVE. TR Look up ODI 10544569 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	66,090–96,854 mi	79,000 mi	7	ODI 10490986 · 79,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HOWEVER, THE LATCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. Look up ODI 10490986 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10556548 · 80,000 mi I BOUGHT A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO USED IN 2012. STARTING LAST YEAR DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WHEN YOU GO TO CLOSE IT THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. IT WILL LATCH ONCE THE WEATHER HAS WARMED UP OR THE CAR ITSELF HAS WARMED UP ENOUGH INSIDE. THE CONDITION GOES AWAY IN ANY OTHER WEATHER. THIS YEAR 2013 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. IVE LOOKED ONLINE AND I SEE A FORD RECALL NUMBER OF 06S45 THAT TALKS ABOUT THIS CONDITION...DOOR LOCKS FREEZING IN COLD WEATHER. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND FORD MOT… Look up ODI 10556548 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10670119 · 59,419 mi FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE- 06S45 WHICH ARE THE EXACT SYMPTOMS I AM CURRENTLY HAVING. THE DRIVER, PASSENGER OR BOTH DOORS WILL NOT LATCH/LOCK WHEN IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A DIRECT SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THE DOOR CAN STAY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE LOCK HAS TO BE WARMED UP AND THEN WILL LOCK PROPERLY WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE IT CAN ONLY BE MOISTURE RELATED. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THIS SHOULD BE A CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL AND ANY VEHICLE WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS A ENGINEERING/DESIGN FLAW OF FORD BECAU… Look up ODI 10670119 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	19,749–51,000 mi	20,000 mi	5	ODI 10176353 · 19,749 mi THE NECESSITY TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES ON A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WITH ONLY 19,749 MILES. JB Look up ODI 10176353 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10227115 · 86,000 mi IN THE 86K MILES MY MERCURY MONTEGO HAS BEEN DRIVEN THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. JUST THIS WEEK THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. TR Look up ODI 10227115 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10228416 · 16,113 mi MERCURY MONTEGO WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AFTER 16,000 MILES, AND THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AFTER 26,000 MILES. SHE BELIEVES THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE TYPE OF METAL THAT IS BEING USED. *KB Look up ODI 10228416 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads	21,412–27,750 mi	23,325 mi	6	ODI 10160267 · 22,649 mi REAR BRAKES DUST BADLY AND HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR. DOCUMENTED THIS COMPLAINT ON FIRST TRIP TO DEALER AFTER BUYING CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO ANOTHER MERCURY DEALER. TODAY THEY TELL ME FORD HAS RE-ENGINEERED THE REAR BRAKE PADS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN A YEAR OLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW BRAKE PADS. NM UPDATED 07/30/08 Look up ODI 10160267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10177931 · 29,000 mi REAR BAKES WEARING OUT EXTREMELY FAST. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 17K MILES AND AT 12K MILES. BRAKES WEARING OUT AT RATES FASTER THAN CUSTOMARY MAY LEAD TO UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION OF TIMELY REPAIR IN TIME, AND BRAKE FAILURE IN SERVICE. DEALER SERVICE IS OFFERING TO INSTALL CERAMIC BRAKE PADS. JB Look up ODI 10177931 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10179240 · 24,000 mi EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. OUR 2005 MONTEGO, PURCHASED NEW IN JAN. 2006 EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR WITH LESS THAN 24K MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING. THIS REQUIRED NEW PADS AND ROTORS BE REPLACED. WE GENERALLY GET 50K TO 60K MILES OF WEAR ON THE BRAKES OF THE OTHER FORD PRODUCTS WE HAVE OWNED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. FORD OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN BRAKE WEAR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AFTER 12K MILES. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT BILL UTTER FORD IN DENTON, TX SAID HE HAS SEEN THE SAME EXCESSIVE WEAR PATTERN IN AS LITTLE AS 20K MILES ON… Look up ODI 10179240 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
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	1	None	ODI 11637100 This vehicle had a recall performed on it. In the recall, it states that the door does not latch properly in colder weather. Vehicle has been brought to the dealership. They have stated that they have performed the recall service. But when the car is driven, the door still does not latch which causes a safety issue because it will open randomly. This has been brought to Ford’s attention and they have not been able to help with a solution. Look up ODI 11637100 at NHTSA ↗
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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2006: 10 complaints · 2007: 5 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Power Train	Vehicle Speed Control	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Engine	Structure:Body	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
Electrical System	—	3 ODI 10469140 · 69,000 mi THE 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… Look up ODI 10469140 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10546777 · 68,250 mi VEHICLE WAS STARTED FIRST THING IN MORNING AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25' WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO DISENGAGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AND A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. FOLLOWING THESE TWO INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THE VEHI… Look up ODI 10546777 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11377774 · 5 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD ILLUMINATE AND DROP TO ZERO AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 Look up ODI 11377774 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10411292 ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I ARE USED TO IT AND ABLE TO COMPENSATE, BUT WE AREN'T LETTING OUR 17 YEAR-OLD DRIVE THE CAR FOR NOW UNLESS ONE OF US IS WITH HER. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM FOR YEAR… Look up ODI 10411292 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10418600 · 95,275 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,275. Look up ODI 10418600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10876809 · 270,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND FAILED SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUSH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR… Look up ODI 10876809 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10341051 · 50,327 mi ON JUNE 22, 2010 I NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FURTHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND JUMPING. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PULLING A 15% GRADE, ONCE TO THE TOP EVERYTHING SMOOTHED OUT. THEN 2 MILES FURTHER ANOTHER HILL CAME. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO STARTED TO BUCK AND JUMP ONCE AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME THAT EVENING. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT. WHAT WAS FOUND WAS AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECT THA… Look up ODI 10341051 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10345904 · 80,000 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT DOWNWARD SPIRAL.APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION,BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THE TOOLS OR PARTS TO REPLACE ANYTHING IN IT, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.APPROX. 1 WEEK AGO, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR REVVED UP TO APPROX. 3500 RPM AND PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I THEN TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WAS ACTIVATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A SMALL W… Look up ODI 10345904 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10460882 · 89,000 mi THE 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,… Look up ODI 10460882 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10882183 · 147,000 mi CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN… Look up ODI 10882183 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Power Train	3 ODI 10469140 · 69,000 mi THE 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… Look up ODI 10469140 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10546777 · 68,250 mi VEHICLE WAS STARTED FIRST THING IN MORNING AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25' WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO DISENGAGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AND A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. FOLLOWING THESE TWO INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THE VEHI… Look up ODI 10546777 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11377774 · 5 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD ILLUMINATE AND DROP TO ZERO AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 Look up ODI 11377774 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. *TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10713200 · 104,000 mi I JUST PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT NOT EVEN 10 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS JERKING THEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE WORST BEING ON A ONE WAY AND MY NIECES NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD IN THE CAR MY CAR MADE A KIND OF A LOUD HUMMING NOISE,JERKED THEN STOPPED IN THE STREET.AT TIMES I CAN'T EVEN REVERSE OR GO UP STEEP HILLS. TR Look up ODI 10713200 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	4 ODI 10411292 ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I ARE USED TO IT AND ABLE TO COMPENSATE, BUT WE AREN'T LETTING OUR 17 YEAR-OLD DRIVE THE CAR FOR NOW UNLESS ONE OF US IS WITH HER. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM FOR YEAR… Look up ODI 10411292 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10418600 · 95,275 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,275. Look up ODI 10418600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10876809 · 270,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND FAILED SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUSH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR… Look up ODI 10876809 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. *TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 10358494 · 77,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND KNOCK AND WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. ALSO WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES WOULD ACTUALLY SPEED UP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000. Look up ODI 10358494 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10544569 · 133,000 mi I WAS IN THE MEDDLE LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL MY ACCELERATION. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT EVERY FEW MILES IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED ! MY PART COST OVER 600.00 SO IT SETS IN THE DRIVE. TR Look up ODI 10544569 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10853512 · 150,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A CORNER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. Look up ODI 10853512 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10326674 · 51,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER RESET THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W… Look up ODI 10326674 at NHTSA ↗	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	2 ODI 10341051 · 50,327 mi ON JUNE 22, 2010 I NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FURTHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND JUMPING. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PULLING A 15% GRADE, ONCE TO THE TOP EVERYTHING SMOOTHED OUT. THEN 2 MILES FURTHER ANOTHER HILL CAME. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO STARTED TO BUCK AND JUMP ONCE AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME THAT EVENING. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT. WHAT WAS FOUND WAS AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECT THA… Look up ODI 10341051 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10345904 · 80,000 mi I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT DOWNWARD SPIRAL.APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION,BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THE TOOLS OR PARTS TO REPLACE ANYTHING IN IT, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.APPROX. 1 WEEK AGO, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR REVVED UP TO APPROX. 3500 RPM AND PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I THEN TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WAS ACTIVATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A SMALL W… Look up ODI 10345904 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10358494 · 77,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND KNOCK AND WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. ALSO WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES WOULD ACTUALLY SPEED UP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000. Look up ODI 10358494 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Engine	2 ODI 10460882 · 89,000 mi THE 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,… Look up ODI 10460882 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10882183 · 147,000 mi CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN… Look up ODI 10882183 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10713200 · 104,000 mi I JUST PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT NOT EVEN 10 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS JERKING THEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE WORST BEING ON A ONE WAY AND MY NIECES NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD IN THE CAR MY CAR MADE A KIND OF A LOUD HUMMING NOISE,JERKED THEN STOPPED IN THE STREET.AT TIMES I CAN'T EVEN REVERSE OR GO UP STEEP HILLS. TR Look up ODI 10713200 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 10544569 · 133,000 mi I WAS IN THE MEDDLE LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL MY ACCELERATION. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT EVERY FEW MILES IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED ! MY PART COST OVER 600.00 SO IT SETS IN THE DRIVE. TR Look up ODI 10544569 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10562267 · 80,310 mi AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. TR Look up ODI 10562267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10853512 · 150,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A CORNER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. Look up ODI 10853512 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Structure:Body	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	1 ODI 10326674 · 51,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER RESET THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W… Look up ODI 10326674 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

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.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Hard or delayed shifting

25 mentions · 18.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 69,000 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 10284834 · 50,000 mi

I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO FWD 6 SPEED. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JUMPING AROUND, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD NOT GO INTO TO GEAR AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL SLAM REAL HARD. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 22000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS 52000 MILES. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED A MOTOR MOUNT BECAUSE OF THE HARD SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT MIGHT BE THE VALVE BODY WITCH IS AROUND 2000 DOLLARS WITH PARTS AND LABOR. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS CAR, IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND COULD GET SOMEONE HURT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WI…

Look up ODI 10284834 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10310294 · 27,000 mi

WHILE IDLING WHEN STOPPED OR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, THE ENGINE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO ABOVE 3500 RPM CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNLESS THE BRAKE IS FIRMLY APPLIED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LASTS 3 TO 5 SECONDS. PLACING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 7 TIMES. DEALER SAYS THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM REPORTS NOTHING UNUSUAL. *TR

Look up ODI 10310294 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10320817 · 90,000 mi

2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS CLOSE TO 90K MILES. KEPT IN GREAT CONDITION BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING SAME SIGNS AS REPORTED MANY TIMES ON THIS THREAD. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS AND KICKING BACK REALLY HARD. THE COMPANY WILL HEAR US IF WE JOIN TOGETHER WE'RE LEARNING THAT WITH TOYOTA. LET'S GET TOGETHER AND FIGHT THIS ONE.. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!! FACEBOOK ME [XXX] AND LET'S GET A PLAN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Look up ODI 10320817 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

18 mentions · 13.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,000 mi (18 usable records).

ODI 10133582 · 423 mi

PURCHASED 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

Look up ODI 10133582 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10190946 · 5,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOURTEEN TIMES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT SINCE MAY 2, 2007. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Look up ODI 10190946 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10284223 · 57,000 mi

TL*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. …

Look up ODI 10284223 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 7.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 106,500 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10392593 · 105,000 mi

1) NO PRIOR EVENTS LEAD TO THIS PROBLEM IT JUST HAPPENED. 2)THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO LOST ALL GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, LIGHTS,TURN-SIGNALS. THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. 3) THE REPAIR SHOP IS STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10392593 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10409322 · 86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES, WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Look up ODI 10409322 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10411762 · 130,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE MESSAGE ( ENGINE FAILED SAFE MODE ) ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,520.

Look up ODI 10411762 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 3.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 40,000 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10124276 · 2,000 mi

ABS BRAKE FAILURE, GAS CAP WARNING COMING ON AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE ALL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE CAR IS 7 WEEKS OLD

Look up ODI 10124276 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10177931 · 29,000 mi

REAR BAKES WEARING OUT EXTREMELY FAST. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 17K MILES AND AT 12K MILES. BRAKES WEARING OUT AT RATES FASTER THAN CUSTOMARY MAY LEAD TO UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION OF TIMELY REPAIR IN TIME, AND BRAKE FAILURE IN SERVICE. DEALER SERVICE IS OFFERING TO INSTALL CERAMIC BRAKE PADS. *JB

Look up ODI 10177931 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10326674 · 51,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER RESET THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Look up ODI 10326674 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10859900

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO SHUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE PAID AROUND $4000 TO TRY AND HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED. THE REVERSE GEAR IS UNUSABLE, AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE IT SHUTS THE CAR OFF. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND WILL NOT STEADILY ACCELERATE AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING ABILITY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM CONSIDERING I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACKSEAT MOST EVERY TRIP. I SAW THIS LAWSUIT AND EVERY SINGLE THIN…

Look up ODI 10859900 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b