RoadVitals

2008 Mercury Milan Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Feb 7, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 451 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Mercury Milan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 7, 2025

There is a problem with my tourqe converter with 100k miles. My car won't accelerate.

NHTSA ID
11641428
Incident
Feb 6, 2025
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11149679
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 17, 2018

TAKATA TOO! I DROVE MILAN TO STOP SIGN. AS I WENT FORWARD, WENT INTO 'LIMP HOME' MODE (FOUND TERM WHILE RESEARCHING). 1ST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED. NO FOREWARNING! I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO CRAWL TO THE CURB. SAW ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT UP. SHUT OFF ENGINE. WHEN I RESTARTED, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE HOME. NEXT DAY, TRIED 3 TIMES TO START. IT STARTED, BUT QUICKLY STALLED EACH TIME. TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE CHECKED COMPUTER, SAW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. HE DOESN'T DO THAT WORK. TOLD ME WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY. IT IS NOW 9 DAYS THERE, AND DAY 11 WILL BE MONDAY 3/19/18. I SPOKE 3 TIMES TO SERVICE DEPT.(SAME PERSON), AND AM BEING TOLD THEY ARE BACKED UP WITH WORK, AND HAVEN'T LOOKED AT MY CAR YET. EACH CONVO HE SAYS WHAT DAY THEY SHOULD GET TO IT, BUT HAVE LIED SO FAR. SO, NOT DIAGNOSED YET. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT THIS POSSIBLY BECOMING AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR. ALSO, I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE ABOUT 'TAKATA RECALL'. I SAW IT ON THE INTERNET AND ALERTED SERVICE DEPT. TO CHECK THAT TOO. I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE TO SEE IF MY CAR HAS THAT TYPE OF AIRBAG. I RESEARCHED AND SAW THE FORD CONSUMER PROGRAM 13N03. THAT INVESTIGATION INVOLVES 2009-2013 MILANS. EXTENDED WARRANTY 10 YRS OR 150,000 MILES. I KNOW THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I BOUGHT IT MAY 2011 WITH UNDER 52,0000 MILES ON IT. NOT EVEN 7 YRS YET, AND I HAVE UNDER 60,000 MILES ON IT BECAUSE IT'S ONLY FOR LOCAL DRIVING. IT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND I CAN'T GET RENTAL CAR HELP THRU INSURANCE UNLESS MY CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. FORD WON'T HELP ON A LOANER CAR EITHER. NOW, I BELIEVE FORD HAS A PROTOCOL THEY ARE FOLLOWING TO 'GET OUT' OF ANY FREE REPAIRS. THE NCCC SUGGESTS PHONING 1-800-392-3673 IF I NEVER RECEIVED LETTER, BUT THAT PHONE NUMBER IS FORD! SERIOUSLY? SHOULD I BOTHER? THIS IS IN STATEN ISLAND, NY. BEWARE! CAN I PLEASE GET ANY HELP ON WHAT TO DO?

NHTSA ID
11079972
Incident
Mar 6, 2018
Mileage
59,500 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 10, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I STILL HAD POWER TO THE RADIO AND LIGHTS BUT THE CAR WENT LIMP. I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO TURN IT INTO A PARKING LOT FOR SAFETY BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I TURNED OFF THE CAR WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED IT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. I AM LUCKY I WASN'T IN TRAFFIC, BECAUSE THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IT WENT FROM 45 MPH TO NOTHING IN SECONDS.

NHTSA ID
11004082
Incident
Jul 9, 2017
Mileage
74,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Nov 15, 2016

2008 MERCURY MILAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10925780
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, JERKED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID
10920153
Incident
Sep 25, 2016
Mileage
93,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO UPHILL IN THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHEN THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WORKED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND ABLE TO DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10823074
Incident
Jan 28, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 23, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN ENGINE SEEMED TO GRADUALLY LOSE ALL POWER. I STEERED THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RE-STARTED IT, AT WHICH POINT IT SEEMED TO DRIVE OKAY BUT AT TIMES STILL FELT LIKE IT MIGHT STALL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS THE WRENCH LIGHT AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHT. THE WRENCH AND TRACTION LIGHTS WENT OFF EVENTUALLY BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO BE ON. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT I WAS AT A STOP SIGN NEAR MY HOUSE IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THROUGH FROM THE STOP SIGN THERE WAS PRACTICALLY NO ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO TURN AROUND AND DRIVE BACK TO MY HOUSE BUT ONLY AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 5MPH THE WHOLE WAY (APPROX 1/4 MILE). AS I HAD TO GO UP A SMALL HILL TO GET TO MY HOUSE, THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO GET ALL THE WAY UP THE HILL AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AGAIN AND RE-START THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615707
Incident
Jul 15, 2014
Mileage
88,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILED DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,816.

NHTSA ID
10598181
Incident
Jun 13, 2014
Mileage
110,816 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

NHTSA ID
10598105
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
12,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 21, 2014

NO MATTER IF COLD OR HOT, GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARD, ENGINE SURGES. BETTER HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE HARD TO KEEP FROM SURGING UNCONTROLLABLE. HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565280
Incident
Sep 30, 2013
Mileage
64,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 6, 2014

MY 2008 MERCURY MILAN STALLS AND ACCELERATES RAPIDLY WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE TO PLACE MY FEET ON THE BRAKES AND GAS AT STOPS BECAUSE THE ENGINE INCREASES POWER AND THE CAR ACTUALLY JUMPS AT TIMES WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS RAPID ACCELERATION AND I HAVE ACTUALLY ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. MY VEHICLE STALLED A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. 1. POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE 2. IGNITION COILS 3. SPARK PLUGS 4. THROTTLE BODY I CALLED FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOTHING THE COMPANY COULD DO TO ASSIST ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563301
Incident
Feb 4, 2014
Mileage
108,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2013

UPON PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE THROTTLE INCREASED ON ITS OWN REACHING NEARLY 6K RPMS, BY QUICKLY PLACING THE SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL AND APPLYING THE BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. RESTARTED THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL AS THE MAINTENANCE LIGHT, AFTER CHECKING FOR CODES 2110 WAS PRESENT, CYLINDER 3 HAD MISFIRED. DROVE THE CAR HOME IT WAS FINE. DROVE THE CAR FOR A WEEK WITH 2 MORE OF THE SAME INCIDENTS (INCREASED ACCELERATION WITH OUT PUSHING THE PEDAL) WHILE DRIVING. ON 10/14/13 WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR INCREASED THE THROTTLE ON ITS OWN TO 6K RPMS AND UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE MY TIRES BROKE LOOSE AND BEGAN TO SQUEAL AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BY SHIFTING IN TO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS SETTLED AT 600, I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT HAS BEEN FINE FOR 2 DAYS. AFTER LITTLE RESEARCH IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE (GOOGLE SEARCH) THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY IS MALFUNCTIONING AT RANDOM MILEAGE RANGES AND WITHOUT WARNING IN BOTH THE MERCURY MILAN AND FORD FUSION. I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED THAT A REPLACEMENT PART WOULD NOT EVEN FIX THE VEHICLE. ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED, MIGHT BE LIKE TOYOTA INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547914
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
76,800 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 7, 2013

AFTER REPLACING MY CAR BATTERY, THE SERVICE LIGHT FOR THE THROTTLE BODY TRANSMISSION CAME ON. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE OFF THERE WAS NO ENGINE POWER.

NHTSA ID
10542407
Incident
Sep 6, 2013
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesEngineInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Oct 11, 2010

I BROUGHT MY 2008 MERCURY MILAN PREMIER (PURCHASED 7-30-10) AS A CPO VEHICLE, 6,900 MILES, TO METROPOLITAN LINCOLN MERCURY, GARDEN CITY, MI (734-458-1961). I REPORTED THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED (THEY REFUSED, SAYING IT IS NORMAL), THERE IS EXCESSIVE TRAVELING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING (THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE "FINE"), THERE IS EXCESSIVE EXHAUST NOISE (A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THE FIX IS COMING), AND THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY (STAYS IN ONE GEAR TOO LONG/ALSO A KNOWN PROBLEM). FOR KNOWN PROBLEMS, EITHER I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT (THE TRANSMISSION) OR THEY DON'T KNOW AND DON'T CARE ABOUT THE OTHER KNOWN PROBLEM (A RESONATOR FOR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE NOISE). I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SEAT BRACKETS RUSTING OUT BEING NORMAL. I FEEL IF LEFT UNCHECKED, IT MAY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. DESPITE THE FACT I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT APPEARS THEY WANT TO COME AS CLOSE TO $100 AS POSSIBLE (MY DEDUCTIBLE), FIX ONE ITEM, AND THEN GET ME TO COME BACK AGAIN, SO THEY CAN COLLECT MY $100 DEDUCTIBLE AGAIN FOR A PROBLEM THEY DID NOT ADDRESS THE FIRST TIME I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THE RUST IS NORMAL ALTHOUGH I HAVE NEVER IN ALL MY LIFE HAD A CAR THAT RUSTED OUT IN THAT AREA AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NORMAL, A HAZARD AND MUST BE FIXED. OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO DEAL WITH ISSUES THAT ARE ONLY SIMPLE, WHERE THEY CAN MAKE THE MOST MONEY/DON'T HAVE TO DOLE OUT ANY, AND AVOID ONES WHERE THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION IS TOO COSTLY, MAY COST THEM SOME MONEY, OR ARE TOO COMPLICATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10360021
Incident
Oct 11, 2010
Mileage
8,900 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 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.

NHTSA ID
10355234
Incident
Aug 12, 2010
Mileage
74,253 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .