2005 Mercury Montego

135 federal complaints (190 component records) · 2 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 48 service bulletins
See all 4 model years of the Mercury Montego →
Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
4WD/AWD
EPA economy
17 city / 23 hwy
Federal complaints
135
Recall campaigns
2
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Power train
49
Electrical system
29
Speed control
24
Brakes
21
Engine & cooling
17
Fuel system
12
Body & structure
10
Other
6
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 7 complaints01 years old: 5 complaints2 years old: 9 complaints3 years old: 7 complaints4 years old: 9 complaints5 years old: 18 complaints56 years old: 22 complaints7 years old: 10 complaints8 years old: 12 complaints9 years old: 8 complaints10 years old: 6 complaints1011 years old: 8 complaints12 years old: 1 complaints13 years old: 4 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 3 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 133 of 135 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 6 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 14 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 29 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 21 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 15 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 12 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 8 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 8 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 4 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 1 complaints200,000+ miles: 2 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 120 of 135 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Power train

49 complaint records3 crash reports
"ABS BRAKE FAILURE, GAS CAP WARNING COMING ON AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE ALL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE CAR IS 7 WEEKS OLD..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →

Electrical system

29 complaint records2 fire reports1 crash report
"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..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Speed control

24 complaint records2 crash reports
"SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE 65 OR ABOVE. AND WILL NOT STOP UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE11018
opened May 2011
closed Feb 2013Vehicle Speed ControlIdle instability
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
06V383000Latches/Locks/LinkagesON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,...Normally free
05V515000Fuel System, GasolineON 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...Normally free

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 46085
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns.
CSP-12N03
Nov 2012
EngineFORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. MOMENTARY ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE MAY BE INTERMITTENT AND MAY OCCUR, DUE TO DEPOSITS BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY, AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE PARKING OR ENTERING DRIVEWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE.
08-4-11
Mar 2008
Service BrakesTRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON--NO DTC'S PRESENT, OR DTC P1889 IN DIFFERENTIAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (DEM). *NJ
0710
Nov 2007
Service BrakesFORD MERCURY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2007 FWD AND AWD FORD FIVE HUNDRED, FREESTYLE AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES - REAR BRAKE WEAR. ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S LETTER. *NJ UPDATED 1/25/08. *NJ
19722
Apr 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingMIL WITH DTC P0106 AND/OR P0109. *KB
Show 43 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
19312
Aug 2006
Electrical SystemBATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB
0614
Jan 2006
SuspensionNOISE FROM REAR SUSPENSION - COLD ONLY. *TT
19005
Jan 2006
SuspensionGRUNT OR SQUEAK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION DURING FULL LOCK TURNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT
06411
Jan 2006
Power TrainOIL LEAK FROM POWER TRANSFER UNIT. *TT
0662
Jan 2006
Electrical SystemINTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE SWEEP/RESET - MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ON - REVERSE LIGHTS ON - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/17/2006. *TT
06114
Jan 2006
Power TrainCONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSAXLE (CVT) NOISE DIAGNOSIS. *TT
05222
Nov 2005
SuspensionNOISE FROM FRONT WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TT
041601
Nov 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
05175
Oct 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE RPM FLUCTUATION AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 8/2/2005. *TT
05197
Oct 2005
StructureTRUNK LID HARD TO CLOSE. *TT
05L25
Sep 2005
Power TrainSPECIAL FIELD ACTION 05L25 - OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED (OSS) SENSOR; TURBINE SHAFT SPEED (TSS) SENSOR; TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE (TOT) SENSOR WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CALIFORNIA LONG-TERM DEFECTS WARRANTY PARTS TABLE. *TT
18730
Jul 2005
Power TrainVEHICLES WITH A CVT TRANSAXLE, MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK FROM THE TRANSAXLE OIL PAN AREA. *TT
0532
Jun 2005
SuspensionSQUEAK/CLUNK NOISE FROM REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM - VEHICLES BUILT 7/12/2004 THROUGH 9/21/2004. *TT
0551
Mar 2005
Electrical SystemINTERMITTENT HEADLAMP FLICKER WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/21/2005. *TT
0547
Mar 2005
Service BrakesTHUMPING NOISE OR ROUGHNESS FROM REAR BRAKES. *TT
18479
Mar 2005
SuspensionSQUEAK FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *EH
18504
Mar 2005
EquipmentINCORRECT COMPASS INFORMATION IN OWNERS GUIDE AND WORK SHOP MANUAL. *EH
0531
Feb 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingMAF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EGR SYSTEM MODULE (ESM). *TT
18399
Feb 2005
EquipmentMEMORY SEAT, ADJUSTABLE PEDALS AND MIRRORS OPERATION CONCERNS. *TT
18412
Feb 2005
EquipmentMEMORY SEAT, MIRRORS AND PEDALS OPERATION. *TT
18417
Feb 2005
SuspensionREAR SUSPENSION NOISE WHEN COLD. *TT
18432
Feb 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT AN OIL LIFE XX% MESSAGE INTHE ODOMETER MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE REACHING 5000 MILES. *EH
0516
Jan 2005
Power TrainHARSH OR ERRATIC UPSHIFTS/DOWNSHIFTS - WRENCH LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2544 - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 1/7/2005 AND EQUIPPED WITH THE (AWF21) 6 SPEED TRANSAXLE. *TT
18378
Jan 2005
Power TrainOIL LEAK FROM POWER TRANSFER UNIT. *TT
05245
Jan 2005
Power TrainHARSH/ERRATIC/SLOW DOWNSHIFTS OR TIP-IN HESITATION -- 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE -- VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 10/17/2005. *TT
042616
Dec 2004
StructureWELD BONDING PROCEDURE. *TT
04189
Dec 2004
VisibilityREAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT
042107
Dec 2004
Power TrainGENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
18329
Dec 2004
EquipmentAUDIO UNIT BACKLIGHT INOPERATIVE AND OR DTC B2477. *EH
18353
Dec 2004
SuspensionSQUEAK FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS. *EH
18361
Dec 2004
Power TrainOIL LEAK FROM POWER TRANSFER UNIT. *EH
04217
Nov 2004
Power TrainGENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
18178
Sep 2004
Electrical SystemWRENCH LIGHT ON, NO ENGAGEMENT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0942. *TT
18179
Sep 2004
Electrical SystemWRENCH LIGHT ON, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0562 AND TRANSAXLE IN LIMP HOME MODE AFTER BATTERY JUMP START. *TT
19107
StructureNOISE IN RIGHT FRONT OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - AIR INLET DOOR ACTUATOR INOPERATIVE (RECIRCULATION). *TT
19087
Electrical SystemTENTHS DIGIT NOT DISPLAYED ON ODOMETER AFTER 10,000 MILES/KILOMETERS. *TT
19083
VisibilityINTERMITTENT BOUNCE-BACK OF THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DURING ONE TOUCH UP OPERATION. *TT
06172
Electrical SystemFUEL GAUGE ERRATIC/INACCURATE AND/OR MIL ON WITH DTC P0463, B1202, B2627, B2879, AND/OR P2068. *KB
06179
Electrical SystemINTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION - INCLUDING GAUGES SWEEP/RESET - MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND/OR REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 02-17-06. *KB
0718
Power TrainTRANSMISSION SHIFTER BINDING / HIGH EFFORT BEZEL REPLACEMENT. *KB
0747
Fuel SystemMIL ON WITH DTC P0191 - FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE. *KB
0759
Service BrakesREAR BRAKE DRAG, NOISE, DUST, AND/OR PREMATURE PAD WEAR. *KB
06245
Power TrainTRANSMISSION HARSH SHIFTING - NO DTC'S - MILEAGE OVER 20,000 MILES. *KB

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
  2. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  3. Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Mercury Montego →