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 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.
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 ↗