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2005 Mercury Montego

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

123 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

27 reports
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5 miles · Dec 3, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

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 ODI #11377774

123,000 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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 ODI #11084766

175,000 miles · Oct 11, 2016
Electrical System

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…

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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 ODI #10915332

147,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

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 …

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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 ODI #10882183

270,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 …

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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 ODI #10876809

85,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical System

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 AC…

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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 ODI #10819579

223,000 miles · Dec 19, 2015
Electrical System

STARTED 2005 MONTEGO TO PICK UP FIANC FROM WORK, GOT BACK INSIDE AFTER BRUSHING SNOW OFF THE CAR AND I PRESSED THE THROTTLE TO DROP THE IDLE SPEED, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK (TACH,SPEED,FUEL,WATER TEMP,AC/HEATER), MY REVERSE LIGHTS CAME ON, MY STEREO HAD REALLY LOUD STATIC COMING THROUGH IT AND MY WIPER…

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STARTED 2005 MONTEGO TO PICK UP FIANC FROM WORK, GOT BACK INSIDE AFTER BRUSHING SNOW OFF THE CAR AND I PRESSED THE THROTTLE TO DROP THE IDLE SPEED, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLACK (TACH,SPEED,FUEL,WATER TEMP,AC/HEATER), MY REVERSE LIGHTS CAME ON, MY STEREO HAD REALLY LOUD STATIC COMING THROUGH IT AND MY WIPERS/HEATER STOPPED WORKING. CAME BACK A FEW HOURS LATER AND GAUGES WORKED BUT CHECK ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND CHARGING SYSTEMS LIGHTS WERE ON. I PUT IT IN GEAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS GONE AND AS SOON AS I GOT TO ABOUT 1500 RPM MY GAUGES WENT BLACK SO I STOPPED AND WHEN THE IDLE SPEED DROPPED BACK DOWN MY GAUGES CAME BACK ON. I TRIED MY HEADLIGHTS AND THEY GO OUT EVERY TIME MY GAUGES GO OUT, WHICH IS ANY TIME I GET OVER 1500 RPM.

NHTSA ODI #10811285

142,691 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

PARKED CAR AT HOME AFTER DROPPING DAUGHTER OFF IN TOWN CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. FIVE HOURS LATER WENT OUT TO PICK DAUGHTER UP. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, NO CLUSTER PANEL AT ALL. NO LIGHTS ON PANEL, A/C WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON A…

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PARKED CAR AT HOME AFTER DROPPING DAUGHTER OFF IN TOWN CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. FIVE HOURS LATER WENT OUT TO PICK DAUGHTER UP. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, NO CLUSTER PANEL AT ALL. NO LIGHTS ON PANEL, A/C WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON AT THIS TIME. I TESTED THE CAR DAILY WITH THE SAME RESULTS, UNTIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH. I HAD AN APPT TO TAKE IT IN TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AT THIS TIME, THE CLUSTER PANEL AND A/C WERE WORKING, THE BACKUP LIGHTS WERE OFF (EXCEPT WHEN IN REVERSE) AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS NOW OFF. HOWEVER, NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WAS BAD AND WAS SENDING INCORRECT CODES (P0462 & P2067) CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. SINCE THOSE CODES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10747906

90,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS IN FLAMES AND THE WHEEL WELL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS IN FLAMES AND THE WHEEL WELL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10724100

46,000 miles · Jun 7, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT 25 30 EVEN MORE. WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THE COMPLETE DASH CLUSTER LOST ALL FUNCTIONS AND READ OUTS, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. A FEW TIMES 9 OR SO THE CAR WOULD BUCK A FEW TIMES. I HAD THE HARNESS CONNECTOR CHECKED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VEHICL…

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TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT 25 30 EVEN MORE. WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THE COMPLETE DASH CLUSTER LOST ALL FUNCTIONS AND READ OUTS, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. A FEW TIMES 9 OR SO THE CAR WOULD BUCK A FEW TIMES. I HAD THE HARNESS CONNECTOR CHECKED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VEHICLE AS NEEDED, TO DRIVER A FEW TIMES A YEAR FROM CONNECTICUT TO NORTH CAROLINA AND BACK TO VISIT AILING FAMILY MEMBERS. NO OTHER REASONABLE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. WE WILL PRO ALLY NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. NEED ADVICE AS TO PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10723816

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in