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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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113,486 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY FEEL AS THOUGH I HAD PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT CHANGE THE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD AN OWNER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE WORK WAS COMP…

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AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY FEEL AS THOUGH I HAD PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT CHANGE THE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD AN OWNER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO DO THIS ON OCCASION. NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE FAIL SAFE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER $1,000 LATER I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547417

68,250 miles · Oct 4, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

VEHICLE WAS STARTED FIRST THING IN MORNING AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25' WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO DISENGAGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AND A LOSS OF POWER WAS E…

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VEHICLE WAS STARTED FIRST THING IN MORNING AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25' WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO DISENGAGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND A SECOND ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES WHEN ONCE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AND A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. FOLLOWING THESE TWO INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THE VEHICLE HAS 68,250 ORIGINAL MILES ON ODOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546777

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2012
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE THROTTLE BODY IS BAD ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449698

53,018 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT COST ME $736.83. THIS WAS DONE ON 10/06/2010. NOW AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAS GONE BAD. THIS TIME THE ESTIMATE…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT COST ME $736.83. THIS WAS DONE ON 10/06/2010. NOW AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAS GONE BAD. THIS TIME THE ESTIMATE IS $950.00. MY MILEAGE IS 90,361. NOW A LITTLE MORE THAT A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR I NEED TO PERFORM THIS REPAIR AGAIN. I BELIEVE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE FORCED ON THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE BEING INSTALLED ON THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434231

20,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

1CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (GAS EMISIONS) 2. FAILURE IS ONCE A MONTH THEN LIGHT GOES OFF 2 NO PARTS OR REPAIRS AS THE DEALER SHIP WILL NOT REPLACE WILL THE RECALL REPAIR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279196

423 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JAN.05 SEAT BELT REPLACED IN JAN TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN FEB. 05 AND A VALVE REPLACED DUE TO CHECK ENGINE WARNING FUEL PUMP REPLACED IN AUG.05, NOW HAVE TROUBLE STARTING CAR

NHTSA ODI #10133582

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