2008 Mercury MILAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
451 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 252 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 210 of 451 complaints (46.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 199 | 44.1% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 2.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 1.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 1.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 210 |
| Service Brakes | 178 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
Air Bags: 210; Service Brakes: 178; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Power Train: 15; Engine: 12; Unknown Or Other: 10; Structure:Body: 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 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 50 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 52 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 84 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 50; 75,000 to 99,999: 52; 100,000 to 149,999: 84; 150,000 and above: 28
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (84). 199 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2017 | 175 |
| 2018 | 80 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 7; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 10; 2014: 18; 2015: 19; 2016: 52; 2017: 175; 2018: 80; 2019: 16; 2020: 29; 2021: 20; 2022: 7; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 199 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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 10214131 · 2008-01-07 (January 7, 2008)
MY MERCURY MILAN IS LESS THAN A MONTH OLD. I WAS DRIVING ON A SECONDARY SURFACE ROAD. I ACCELERATED TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, SUDDENLY THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WOULDN'T WORK. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UP. IT WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I CONTINUED ACCELERATE. I WAS HEADING INTO HEAVER TRAFFIC. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO PULL ON THE SHOULDER AND IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I STARTED THE ENGINE NOW THAT I WAS IN PARK AND THE ENGINE RACED. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10214293 · 2008-01-09 (January 9, 2008)
I AM 26 YEARS OLD AND WEIGH 93 LBS. WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2008 MERCURY MILAN, THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT SOMETIMES TELL THE CAR THAT I AM A CHILD AND DEACTIVATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I CANNOT DRIVE IN A CAR WHERE MY AIRBAG MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACTIVATED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY CANNOT ADJUST THE WEIGHT BECAUSE OF FEDERAL GUIDELINES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE. I AM NOT GOING TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. EITHER THE DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENT NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243995 · 2008-09-30 (September 30, 2008)
INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH ON 8/14/08 IN MY VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS WAS A SIDE, ALMOST T-BONE IMPACT, AND THE CURTAIN/SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT I HAD GLASS LACERATIONS AND MY HEAD HIT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW, SMASHING IT AND CAUSING INJURY TO MY HEAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262832 · 2009-03-23 (March 23, 2009)
I OWN A 2008 MERCURY MILAN WHICH CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH MICHELIN P225/50/R17 V93 M&S RADIAL TIRES ON IT. I DISCOVERED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND HAD TO THROW THE TIRE AWAY WITH ONLY 8700 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND INQUIRED ABOUT THESE "50" SERIES SIDEWALL CONFIGURATION TIRES HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS TOLD TO ME BY MY TIRE DEALER. THEY AGREED WITH THEIR DEALER THAT THESE TIRES CAN'T TAKE POTHOLES AND WOULD BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL AND COULD BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS!! THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO CONTROL WHERE THE CAR MANUFACTU…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10299117 · 2010-01-12 (January 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHENEVER IT SNOWS, THE SNOW GETS CAUGHT INSIDE THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS OFF BALANCE WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHAKE AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR TWO YEARS AND IT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10299117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10306914 · 2010-02-06 (February 6, 2010)
OVER THE PAST YEAR THERE HAVE (4) INSTANCES WHERE IT SEEMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING CLEAR TO THE FLOOR. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS NEAR XMAS IN 2009. *CN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10306914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326507 · 2010-04-19 (April 19, 2010)
THE CONTINENTAL TIRE ON MY 2008 MERCURY MILAN HAS DEVELOPED UNUSUAL SIDEWALL CRACKING AND DETERIORATION. THE DEFECT CANNOT BE TRACED TO WEATHER, CHEMICAL, OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE. IT IS MOST LIKELY A RESULT OF IMPROPER CURING OR OTHER MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE OTHER TIRES ON THE SAME VEHICLE DO NOT EXHIBIT ANY UNUSUAL SIDEWALL CRACKING. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH TIRE SENSORS AND ROUTINE PRESSURE CHECKING HAS NEVER REVEALED ANY UNDER-INFLATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355234 · 2010-09-13 (September 13, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING AND THERE HAVE BEEN KNOCKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATION OF LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,253.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,253 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355234 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V024000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V904000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2019-12-18 (December 18, 2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Consequence: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V158000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
NHTSA campaign record ↗