2004 Mercury MONTEREY: complaints, problems and recalls

THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD 1030 MILES ON IT WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS IN FOR A SAFETY/COURTESY/NEW CAR CHECK AT 600 MILES WHERE THE DEALER SAID HE RETORQUED THE WHEELS. 400 MILES LATER WE HAD A NOISE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM -- THE TECH SAID THERE WAS A TSB ON IT AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. 30 MILES LATER, THE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND DAMAGED THE FENDER, DOOR, SUSPENSION, BUMPER FASCIA, ETC. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE TECH DID NOT TAKE THE WHEELS OFF THE VEHICLE BUT DID TEST DRIVE THE VEHICL…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,030 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074724 at NHTSA ↗

I AM IN POSSESSION OF A MERCURY MONTERY 2004 PURCHASED NEW AUGUST 2004. WHEN THIS VEHICLE HAD 4000 MILES AND DURING THE FIRST LENGHTHY HIGHWAY TRIP IN MARCH 2005, I BECAME AWARE OF PULSATING BRAKES BEGINNING AT A SPEED OF 50MPH AND HIGHER. THIS PULSATING MADE ME UNABLE TO SAFELY BRAKE AT A SPEED OF OVER 50MPH. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE MERCURY DEALER IN APRIL WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. IT WAS THEN SUGGESTED TO ME THAT I HAVE THEM…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122350 at NHTSA ↗

AT 42000 MILES, I HEARD GRINDING IN THE REAR BRAKES. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I WAS SHOWN THAT THE DRIVER REAR BRAKES PADS WERE COMPLETELY GROUND INTO THE ROTOR. THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKES WERE ALMOST AS WORN. ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE REAR. THE FRONT BRAKES LOOK GREAT, AS IF THEY WERE NOT USED. I THEN HAD IT TAKEN IN FOR A SECOND OPINION. IT SEEMS THAT FOR HALF THE COST, I COULD GET THE BRAKES DONE WITH NEW CALIPERS THAT HAD GONE BAD. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. AT THE MILEAGE ON THE VAN, THE CALIPERS, BRAKES, A…

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158272 at NHTSA ↗

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING THERE WAS ALWAYS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN GRADUALLY WORSENING. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES ON JUNE 23, 2006. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL # 04V446000, REGARDING THE WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RACALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161034 at NHTSA ↗

I HAD MY 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY PREMIERE MINIVAN IN FOR WARRANTY WORK ON THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. VEHICLE HAS 17,890 MILES. UPON DOING THE TIRE ROTATION THE FORD DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME TO ADVISE I HAD A DANGEROUS TIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT-SIDE. THEY SAID IT WAS CALLED TIRE SEPARATION OR SPLITTING. (I SAW IT MYSELF, LOOKS LIKE A LACERATION ON THE INSIDE WALL ABOUT 2 INCHES UP FROM THE RIM). THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR INTEGRITY P235/60R16'S. THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME REPLACE IT UNDER…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10179173 at NHTSA ↗

PASSENGER "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS EMPTY, THOUGH IT LIGHTS BRIEFLY AFTER THE ENGINE IS CRANKED AND THEN TURNS OFF. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185006 at NHTSA ↗

MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS IN MY MERCURY MONTEREY WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LEAVING . SHE TURNED THE KEY 1 SPOT ON THE IGNITION AND PULLED ON THE GEAR SELECTOR. MY VAN WITH MY CHILD ROLLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. HITTING 2 MAIL BOXES AND A CABLE ROUTER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER GANLEY MERCURY IN BRUNSWICK ,OHIO. THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS MADE THIS WAY. I HAVE TRIED EVERY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND HAD FRIENDS TRY THIS IN THEIRS. NOT 1 VEHICLE WILL GO INTO GEAR WITH OUT THE BRAKE DEPRESSED OR WILL NOT GO AT ALL. I THINK THERE IS…

Owner-reported narrative. 39,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188407 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR LIFT GATE HYDRAULIC LIFT SUPPORT GAVE OUT (PASSENGER SIDE) INSTEAD OF A STEADY FAILURE, IT JUST GAVE, AND WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, IT SLAMMED BACK SHUT FROM THE FULL OPEN POSITION, ALMOST LANDING ON TOP OF MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195197 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Consequence: IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)

CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.

Consequence: IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2012-01-09 (January 9, 2012)

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2013-03-07 (March 7, 2013)

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

Consequence: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.