2005 Mercury MONTEGO problems and owner complaints
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 snapshot: . 122 complaints include usable failure mileage.
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.
| 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.
| 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10345904 · 2010-07-28 (July 28, 2010)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409322 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289976 · 2009-10-27 (October 27, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT FROM NORMAL TO ZERO AND THEN BACK UP TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE WIRE THAT CAUSED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO MALFUNCTION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE HIGH VOLTAGE IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, WHICH COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FIRE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,080. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,956. UPDATED 11/13/09.*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE MECHANIC FOUND THREE CODES STORED FOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,956 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10389836 · 2011-03-11 (March 11, 2011)
MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS AN INSTRUMENT FAILURE IN WHICH ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. ONE LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER IGNITION WAS OFF. THE BACKUP LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE IN DRIVE PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, A CAR APPROACHING FROM THE REAR, UPON SEEING FAULTY BACKUP LIGHTS ON MAY SWERVE TO AVOID. THIS SITUATION WOULD BE EVEN MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN AT NIGHT ON A TWO LANE ROAD. NHTSA PREVIOUSLY CLOSED THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION DUE TO 'NO SAFETY DEFECT'. THAT REASON WAS BASED ON FORD'S INACCURATE STATEMENT TO ODI THAT THE BA…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10389836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10859900 · 2016-04-16 (April 16, 2016)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10859900 at NHTSA ↗