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2009 Mercury MILAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

226 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

85,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 137 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 99 of 226 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior11350.0%
Transmission and shifting41.8%
Engine operation20.9%
Electrical and battery issues20.9%

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.

Service Brakes
99
Air Bags
85
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Unknown Or Other
6
Engine
5
Power Train
4
Structure:Body
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes99
Air Bags85
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Vehicle Speed Control10
Unknown Or Other6
Engine5
Power Train4
Structure:Body4

Service Brakes: 99; Air Bags: 85; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 4; Structure:Body: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
19
25,000 to 49,999
15
50,000 to 74,999
21
75,000 to 99,999
34
100,000 to 149,999
38
150,000 and above
10
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00019
25,000 to 49,99915
50,000 to 74,99921
75,000 to 99,99934
100,000 to 149,99938
150,000 and above10

Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 38; 150,000 and above: 10

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (38). 89 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.

2009
2
2010
2
2011
3
2012
5
2013
3
2014
10
2015
4
2016
17
2017
80
2018
45
2019
19
2020
17
2021
14
2022
2
2023
1
2024
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20092
20102
20113
20125
20133
201410
20154
201617
201780
201845
201919
202017
202114
20222
20231
20241
20251

2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 3; 2014: 10; 2015: 4; 2016: 17; 2017: 80; 2018: 45; 2019: 19; 2020: 17; 2021: 14; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 113 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10266258 · 2009-04-21 (April 21, 2009)

THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST ARE SO EXTREME THAT THERE IS ALWAYS TERRIBLE PRESSURE ON MY NECK. THE HEADREST IS ALSO SO LARGE THAT IT BLOCKS MY VIEW WHEN LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER FOR TRAFFIC. I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL MISS A CAR BECAUSE IT IS BLOCKED OUT BY THE HEADREST. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I'VE ALREADY HAD TO SWERVE UNEXPECTEDLY ON 2 OCCASIONS BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE A VEHICLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10291484 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MILAN. IN SUNNY WEATHER, HE EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SEEING THE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1000.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291484 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10308972 · 2010-02-12 (February 12, 2010)

I OWN A 2009 MERCURY MILAN. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER ON FEBRUARY 4 2010. THE COMPLAINT WAS THAT I WAS HEARING A NOISE UPON BRAKING IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY FOUND THE NOISE. THE BRAKE PADS IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER WERE SLIDING BACK AND FORTH IN THE BRACKET. I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING BUT , IT IS OK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT THIS WAY. I ASKED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS. THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND HAD TO NOTIFY FORD TO FIND OUT. THIS HAS BEEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308972 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10355919 · 2010-09-16 (September 16, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR WHENEVER SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE EXCESSIVELY AND UNEVENLY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10399553 · 2011-05-09 (May 9, 2011)

2009 MERCURY MILAN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE TURNED OFF, THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE MELTING PLASTIC AND DRIPPING DOWN ON SOME FUEL LINES. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AS THE CAR WAS STILL COVERED UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THEY WILL NOT EVEN INSPECT THE CAR AS I HAVE REQUESTED OR PAY FOR ANY DAMAGES TO MY PROPERTY OR EVEN REPLACE THE CAR THAT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 19,487 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399553 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10430031 · 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A UTILITY POLE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430031 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10434107 · 2011-11-03 (November 3, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CROSSED OVER THE HIGHWAY AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434107 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10448792 · 2012-02-21 (February 21, 2012)

FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IN JULY OF 2010. IN JULY OF 2010, I REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE CALIPERS AS THE REAR PADS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE SEVERELY WORN AND THE PADS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WERE FINE. DEALER INDICATED THE CALIPERS WERE FINE, BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE UNEVEN WEAR. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE PADS WOULD WEAR SO UNEVENLY. BACK BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING AGAIN AT 44,000 (ONLY 20,000 ON PADS). I AGAIN REPLACED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448792 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 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 ↗
18V046000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of 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, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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: 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. 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 ↗
21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, 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 inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

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 ↗