RoadVitals

2004 Mercury Monterey 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.
14
Latest Apr 18, 2018
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.
5%
of 283 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.
4
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 2004 Mercury Monterey submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11088862
Incident
Apr 11, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10778487
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10662876
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 13, 2014
Fire reported

SPOUSE [XXX] WAS DRIVING THE FAMILY AND ME OUT TO DINNER ON MAY 9, 2014 FOR MOTHER'S DAY.THE GAS TANK WAS ON ONE-FOURTH A TANK SO BEFORE ON TO THE EXPRESSWAY WE STOP TO GET SOME GAS. [XXX] MADE A STATEMENT HE SAID, "HE SAID THE GAS HAND STILL HASN'T MOVED MUCH AFTER WE PUT $40.00 TOGETHER OF GAS IN THE VAN. WE PUT GAS IN THE VAN AT THE GAS STATION AT 63RD AND CALIFORNIA. AFTER GETTING GAS WE PROCEED TOWARD WESTERN AVE. ON WESTER AVE. [XXX] DROVE FROM71ST AND WESTERN TO 111 & WESTERN WHEN WE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WE THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM A VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF US. WE MADE NO BIG DEAL ABOUT IT UNTIL THE VAN BEGIN TO SMOKE TREMENDOUS. [XXX] STOP THE CAR AN PULLED OVER. THE SMOKE INCREASED IN FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS AS [XXX] STOOD THERE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON, I SAW A BLAZE OF FIRE. I BEGIN SCREAMING THE VAN IS ON FIRE, THE VAN IS ON FIRE. I JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE BLAZE GOT LARGER. MY DAUGHTER AND MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO IS MENTALLY CHALLENGED WAS IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS BUCKLED UP. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO TURN ON THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL TO LET THE OTHER DRIVERS KNOW THAT WE NEEDED HELP. I YELLED AT MY FAMILY ON THE SECOND ROW AGAIN, GET OUT THE VAN THE VAN IS ON FIRE. THEY BEHAVE AS IF THEY COULD NOT HEAR ME OR UNDERSTAND WHAT I WA SAYING. SO, I BEGIN TO BANG ON THE WINDOW GET OUT GET OUT THE VAN IS ON FIRE.AFTER THE VAN WAS FULL BLAZED AND THE EMERGENCY WAS ON THE BANGING GOT THEM OUT. THERE WAS REDDISH BROWN LIQUID ALL IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WHERE THE VAN WAS PARK. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH CALLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME WITH TWO TOW TRUCKS. I GOT MY FAMILY TO SAFETY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRAIN TRACKS BY 111 & MARSHFIELD WHILE [XXX] TALKED TO FIRE FIGHTERS AND THE TOW MEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10587960
Incident
May 9, 2014
Mileage
102,454 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2013

IN EARLY 2012 BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH WOULD COME ON SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING.THEN CAME ON MORE FREQUENTLY. SOON THE BATTERY LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AT STOPS OR LOW IDLES. 8/2012 DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT REPLACED ALTERNATOR. 11/2012 STILL PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE DASH COMING ON NOW PLUS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE SPUTTERING AND STALLING (COULD NOT STOP WITHOUT VEHICLE TOTALLY STALLING AND HAD TO HAVE FOOT ON GAS AT ALL TIME, EVEN WHEN BRAKING, OR WOULD STALL.) 2ND DEALER STILL COULD NOT VERIFY THE DASH BRAKE LIGHTS BUT RESEALED CONNECTOR, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, CLEAN MASS AIRFLOW, RESET KAM, REPLACED HEATED PCV HOSE. COULD DRIVE VEHICLE BUT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE BOTH STILL SPORADICALLY COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. 7/2013 STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BOTH DASH BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON ONLY NOW THE RADIO DIES WHEN THEY COME ON, WHEN THEY GO OFF, THE RADIO COMES BACK ON. IF THE RADIO DIDN'T GO OFF, SOMETIMES SHUTTING IT OFF WOULD RESULT IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS GOING OFF. DEALER STILL UNABLE TO VERIFY. THIS PROGRESSED TO THE BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON SPORADICALLY (AROUND TIME BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON) AND USUALLY GOING OFF IF THE AC WAS TURNED UP ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TO LOSE POWER WHEN PASSING, FELT LIKE A DOWN SHIFT. THE DASH LIGHT ISSUE OCCURS DAILY, BUT THERE IS NO PATTERN. IT CAN BE WET, DRY, HOT, COLD, AFTER 5 MILES, AFTER 30 MILE, SIDE STREETS, EXPRESSWAY, MORNING, EVENING THERE IS NO CONSTANT. 10/2013 VEHICLE BACK AT DEALER SINCE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY DAY. THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE. ONLY CODE THEY GET IS THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR AND DIDN'T HELP THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE RESEALED THE CPU AND THAT DOESN'T HELP.THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE (HEATER, SEAT HEATER, CIGARETTE LIGHTERS, DOOR LOCKS ETC) CONCERNED ELECTRICAL ISSUES COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER OR FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549811
Incident
Jul 10, 2012
Mileage
118,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED FOUR TIMES.

NHTSA ID
10524934
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 21, 2013

I PURCHASED THIS VAN FROM A ONE OWNER ELDERLY COUPLE-AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT. WORKED GREAT FOR FIRST 8 MONTHS THEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS THEN COIL ASSEMBLY, THEN FUEL INJECTORS, VALUE EXHAUST GAS, RECALL OF THE TORQUE CONVERTOR(DEALERSHIP HAD MY VAN 3 DAYS SHY OF 1 MONTH) ABS SENSOR REPLACED, REPLACED CALLOPSED PCV HOSE, WATER IN THE COMPUTER MODELE THIS HAD TO BE CLEANED OUT. VAN WAS IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP 8 OF 12 MONTHS IN THE YEAR 2012. I HAD THE VAN BACK FOR NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS AND IT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND IDLING HIGH AGAIN THE ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING. I REALLY NEED SOME HELP WITH THIS-BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE BEEN TAKEN IT TOO CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT FIXED!!! I HAVE SPENT WAY TO MUCH MONEY ON A VECHILE THAT DOES NOT WORK!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10499571
Incident
Feb 16, 2012
Mileage
65,238 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 27 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED TO A STOP AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE MADE A SLAMMING START BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10479456
Incident
Apr 19, 2012
Mileage
128,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 6, 2012

MY VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WHILE IN DRIVE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF LANES DURING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. ALSO LOST REVERSE HAD TO BE TOWED. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE DIRECTLY THROUGH FORD. I'VE SUBMITTED RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES PERFORMED AND FORD IS NON-RESPONSIVE TO MY REQUESTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474079
Incident
Jun 13, 2012
Mileage
119,691 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2012

VEHICLE STALLS LEAVING FAMILY STRANDED IN TRAFFIC (NUMEROUS EVENTS). DEALER TESTED AND REPLACED FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME, APPROX 8 MILES. VEHICLE FAILED TO START FOLLOWING MORNING. BASED ON ARTICLES AND TESTING PROCEDURES FOUND ONLINE, OWNER REPLACED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN FOR ABOUT 5 MIN. ENGINE DIED AND PRODUCED ERROR CODE P0320. EVIDENCE OF WATER HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE PCM CONNECTOR AND FAULT HAS NOT YET BEEN CORRECTED. OTHER ITEMS REPLACED ON VEHICLE; TRANSMISSION, EGR, FUEL FILTER, PLUG WIRES AND PLUGS.

NHTSA ID
10454084
Incident
Mar 21, 2012
Mileage
162,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING A HIGHWAY DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,300.

NHTSA ID
10436183
Incident
Apr 10, 2011
Mileage
105,300 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 7, 2011

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING, NO POWER. IT HAD NO POWER STEERING, IT HAD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. IT WAS HARD TO RESTART AND THEN AFTER GOING AGAIN IT DIED AGAIN AS I WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434426
Incident
Nov 5, 2011
Mileage
89,251 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 29, 2010
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING, I FELT LIKE THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO SLIP, I HAD TO STOP FOR A BUS STOP AS THIS HAPPENED. WHEN THE BUS MOVED AND I COULD GO I PUSHED THE GAS AND THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS CARS BEHIND ME ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD. FORTUNATELY A GENTLEMAN OFFERED TO PUSH ME OFF THE ROAD, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A TWELVE YEAR OLD BOY GET BEHIND THE WHEEL SO I COULD PUSH THE VAN OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED HOME, AND AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR AND FAN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS JUST ONE MORE PROBLEM IN A LONG LINE OF PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VAN. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS I'VE NOW FOUND ON THIS VAN SAME YEAR AND MODEL I BELIEVE MY NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT MY SENATOR, THIS RANKS RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE TOYOTA RECALLS. I'M FRANKLY VERY SURPRISED THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS YET FOR THIS LEMON. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST UNLUCKY BUT I SEE I'M FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING FROM THESE PROBLEMS. BY THE WAY THIS VAN HAS APPROXIMATELY 94K MILES. NOT WHAT I WOULD CALL HIGH MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328165
Incident
Apr 29, 2010
Mileage
94,365 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2008
Fire reported

2004 MERCURY MONTEREY CAUGHT A FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE STARTED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD AND WANTS AN EXPLANATION WHY. *NJ THE CONSUMER FIRST THOUGHT THAT A LIQUID HAD BEEN POURED OVER THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH FUEL UNDER PRESSURE TO EXPLODED INTO FLAMES 5 FEET HIGH AND ENOUGH PRESSURE TO COAT THE HOOD WITH FUEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10238288
Incident
Jul 22, 2007

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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .