RoadVitals

2005 Mercury Montego Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
135
Latest Jan 20, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 14, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 135 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Mercury Montego. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 135 · page 1 of 6

Body & structure
Filed Jan 20, 2025

This vehicle had a recall performed on it. In the recall, it states that the door does not latch properly in colder weather. Vehicle has been brought to the dealership. They have stated that they have performed the recall service. But when the car is driven, the door still does not latch which causes a safety issue because it will open randomly. This has been brought to Ford’s attention and they have not been able to help with a solution.

NHTSA ID
11637100
Incident
Dec 2, 2024
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 18, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR REMAINED OPEN WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE NORMAL FUNCTIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AJAR MESSAGE OVERLAYING ALL OTHER SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11403735
Incident
Jan 25, 2021
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 3, 2020

I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD ILLUMINATE AND DROP TO ZERO AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000

NHTSA ID
11377774
Incident
Nov 28, 2020
Mileage
5 mi
Filed Aug 20, 2020

WHEN LOWERING THE ORIGINAL CAR'S MANUAL SCISSOR JACK IT GAVE OUT HALF WAY DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY SUDDENLY. THE THREADING ON THE POWER SCREW SEEM FINE BUT THE PIN THAT IT FEEDS THROUGH ON THE OTHER END LOOKS MANGLED (SEE PICTURES). WHEN THE JACK DROPPED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER SCREW SLID. NO ONE WAS HARMED.

NHTSA ID
11350570
Incident
Aug 20, 2020
Mileage
108,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2020

ENGINE SAFE MODE

NHTSA ID
11343871
Incident
Aug 6, 2020
Mileage
87,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 6, 2020

THE LINKAGE THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL WHILE THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN IN PARK. MOREOVER. THE CAR WAS IN PARK BUT WOULDN'T START. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK PUT THE CAR ON THE FLAT BED, THE CAR TRIED TO ROLL OFF EVEN THOUGH THE CAR SHIFT LEVEL WAS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. AND THE KEY WASN'T IN THE IGNITION.. THE CAR WAS REPAID TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $800.00. IT HAD TO DO WITH SOME LINKAGE THAT RUNS UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY BOX. ALSO THE CAR WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ID
11297286
Incident
Jun 10, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 15, 2019

I PURCHASED BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA 225 55 R18 AND ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTER I'VE HAD THEM HAD BUBBLE SHOW IN FRONT TIRE TOOK IT BACK TO FIRESTONE THEY REPLACED IT AFTER REPLACING IT NOW IT'S BEEN A MONTH I HAVE ANOTHER BUBBLE IN THE SAME TIRE THAT THEY JUST REPLACED AND THEY ARE THE BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA EP422 TIRE SIZE 22555 R18

NHTSA ID
11180209
Incident
Feb 11, 2019
Mileage
147,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE LATCHING MECHANISM DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,500.

NHTSA ID
11162263
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Mileage
147,500 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Aug 31, 2018
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11123851
Incident
Aug 23, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 12, 2018

THE CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD AND DECELERATING RANDOMLY. KEEPS GOING INTO "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON LONG ENOUGH TO GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING OCCASIONALLY.

NHTSA ID
11084766
Incident
Mar 12, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 18, 2018

LATCHES/LOCKS RECALL RECALL #06V383000 FORD REFERENCE #06S45 THE LATCH ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS FREEZING, KEEPING THE DOOR FROM STAYING CLOSED. IT HAS ALREADY BOUNCED OPEN ONCE WHILE I WAS IN MOTION ON NY STATE ROUTE 434. I ALSO HAVE SPENT A GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO SHUT MY DOOR FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY TRIP ONCE I AM PARKED. EVEN SO, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SHUT MY DOOR FOR THE PAST DAY. WHEN I FOUND THIS RECALL AND CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY STATED THAT I WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND THAT IT DOESN'T EVEN SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM. I'M NOT HERE TO COMPLAIN, I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHUT MY CARD DOOR SO I CAN DRIVE IT SAFELY. I'M TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO KEEP THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS DOWN ABOUT AN INCH AND WRAP A BUNGEE CORD AROUND THE DOORS TO KEEP MY DRIVER DOOR SHUT.

NHTSA ID
11063432
Incident
Jan 17, 2018
Mileage
113,707 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 22, 2017

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE 65 OR ABOVE. AND WILL NOT STOP UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE.

NHTSA ID
10979920
Incident
Oct 12, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 13, 2017

MY SIDE DOOR LATCHES FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED, AND COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS WAS A WELL KNOW SAFETY ISSUE BY FORD. MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE RECALL DATA BASE SO THE REPAIR COST IS BEING PUSHED TO ME. THE CAR CERTAINLY HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL FOR THAT MODEL AND YEAR... I SMELL A RAT... DO YOU? THE RECALL WAS MADE TO BE STATE SENSITIVE TO STATES THAT EXPERIENCE FREEZING WEATHER. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO IS REGISTERED IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA SO AS TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THEN ENDS UP IN NORTHERN MAINE? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS... A LITTLE CHILD IN NORTHERN MAINE ASLEEP AGAINST THE DOOR SUDDENLY FALLS OUT OF THE CAR AT 55 MILES AN HOUR AND GETS RUN OVER BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC! THESE CARS ARE VERY HARDY AND I SUSPECT THERE ARE MANY OF THEM STILL ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE REALLY MISSED THE BOAT ON THIS ONE.

NHTSA ID
10972303
Incident
Mar 13, 2017
Mileage
69,179 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 28, 2017

FRONT DOOR LATCH FREEZES OPEN ALL THE TIME IN COLD WEATHER. I'M AFRAID IT OPENS WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
10948087
Incident
Nov 28, 2016
Mileage
63,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 18, 2016

IN FREEZING WEATHER, DOOR LATCHES WILL NOT LATCH AND THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS LEFT OUTSIDE AND IS NOT "FIXED" UNTIL THE DOOR MECHANISMS WARM UP FROM BEING IN THE SUN. DUE TO THIS ISSUE WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DOORS LATCH AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL (#06S45), BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED AND WOULD LIKE TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT THE REST OF WINTER.

NHTSA ID
10936037
Incident
Dec 18, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2016

WITH ONLY 70,000 ON THE TRANSMISSION IT BEGAN TO HESITATE WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AND BUCK WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP. THIS BECAME HAZARDOUS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO COME OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET AND THE FORWARD PROPULSION WOULD HESITATE CLOSING THE SAFE GAP BETWEEN ONCOMING CARS AND MYSELF. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 MERCURY VEHICLES BOTH IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE 6-SPEED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY FIRST MONTEGO PASSED THE LEMON LAW WITH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT. NOW THE SECOND MONTEGO IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE INCONSISTENCY IN ACCELERATION. AND THE BUCKING AND THUMPING WHEN BRAKING IS SEVERE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OF US HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET FORD, MERCURY TO RECTIFY THIS KNOWN ISSUE?

NHTSA ID
10916257
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2016

ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO ALL THE DASH INDICATORS TURNED ON. THEY WENT OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. IT WOULD BE A $700.00 PLUS COST TO FIX IT. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON SUCH A SITUATION. I HAVE TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING IF THERE IS TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTS ON FULL TIME.

NHTSA ID
10915332
Incident
May 15, 2016
Mileage
175,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2016
Crash reported

WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES MY CAR HAD A WHINING NOISE AND ACCELERATED NOT RESPONDING TO MY EFFORTS TO STOP.I AVOIDED THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND ALSO TO THE RIGHT OF ME BY MOVING TO THE TURNING LANE TO STOP MYSELF FROM HITTING ANYONE ELSE. HOWEVER TO POSSIBLY AVOID ANOTHER ACCIDENT, I CROSSED OVER TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC LANES ON ORDER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS STILL INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
10895433
Incident
Aug 8, 2016
Mileage
126,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 1, 2016

CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN CAR WAS RELEASED AND STILL NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
10882183
Incident
Jun 21, 2016
Mileage
147,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 27, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND FAILED SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUSH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

NHTSA ID
10876809
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
270,000 mi
Filed May 26, 2016

MY CAR DIES ALL THE TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. IT ALSO HAS A PICTURE OF A WRENCH AND WHEN THE CAR DIES IT SAYS FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ONLY DIES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT SPEED EITHER.

NHTSA ID
10870921
Incident
Apr 5, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Apr 16, 2016

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO SHUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE PAID AROUND $4000 TO TRY AND HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED. THE REVERSE GEAR IS UNUSABLE, AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE IT SHUTS THE CAR OFF. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND WILL NOT STEADILY ACCELERATE AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING ABILITY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM CONSIDERING I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACKSEAT MOST EVERY TRIP. I SAW THIS LAWSUIT AND EVERY SINGLE THING LISTED ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAS HAPPENED AND IS STILL HAPPENING TO MY 2005 MONTEGO.

NHTSA ID
10859900
Incident
May 1, 2014
Filed Apr 5, 2016

RECALL #06V383000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES "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." IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, YET THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. LAST NIGHT, REAR DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT DUE TO WATER SEEPAGE. TODAY, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IMPROPERLY, IF AT ALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ADDITIONAL RECALL LISTED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V515000) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PROPERLY AS WELL, AS BOTH RECALLS WERE (SUPPOSEDLY) FIXED AT THE SAME LOCATION.

NHTSA ID
10853611
Incident
Apr 5, 2016
Mileage
39,700 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A CORNER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10853512
Incident
Apr 5, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 12, 2016

DASH BOARD GAUGES AND CONTROLS. WHEN DRIVING OUR 2005 MONTEGO ALL OF THE DASH INSTRUMENTS AND GAUGES WILL GO OUT, AND YOU LOOSE SOME POWER, THE REAR LIGHTS GO ON. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, ON THE INTERSTATE, SLOW SPEEDS. TO REPLACE IS QUITE EXPENSIVE, BUT IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE COME ACROSS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE, AND IT'S EXTREMELY SCARY AND CONCERNING THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE. YOU CAN TURN IT OFF BUT DOESN'T ALWAYS RESET AND WHEN IT DOES THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
10819579
Incident
Dec 27, 2015
Mileage
85,000 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.

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