I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO FWD 6 SPEED. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JUMPING AROUND, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD NOT GO INTO TO GEAR AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL SLAM REAL HARD. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 22000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS 52000 MILES. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED A MOTOR MOUNT BECAUSE OF THE HARD SHIFTING. THE DEALE…
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I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO FWD 6 SPEED. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JUMPING AROUND, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD NOT GO INTO TO GEAR AND WHEN IT DOES IT WILL SLAM REAL HARD. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 22000 MILES AND NOW IT HAS 52000 MILES. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED A MOTOR MOUNT BECAUSE OF THE HARD SHIFTING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT MIGHT BE THE VALVE BODY WITCH IS AROUND 2000 DOLLARS WITH PARTS AND LABOR. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS CAR, IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND COULD GET SOMEONE HURT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS SO IT HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO START GOING OUT AROUND 50000 MILES. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ALL OF A SUDDEN NOT WANT TO SHIFT RIGHT WHO'S TO SAY SOMEONE GETS HIT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY IN TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A FORD AND THIS CAR IS THE WORST. AS SOON AS I SAVE THE MONEY UP JUST SO THEY CAN EVEN LOOK AT IT WE ARE OUT OF A VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284834
95,000 miles · Aug 29, 2009
Power Train
DURING DRIVING SPEED, WHEN I NEED TO SPEED UP TO AVOID BEING HIT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES THEN SHIFTS SO HARD THAT THE CAR SHAKES. HAPPENS EVERY TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282233
55,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP AND SPUTTER WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. WILL NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT SLIPPING WHEN HEATED UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281546
38,000 miles · Feb 21, 2009
Power TrainCrash
MONTEGO CVT TRANSMISSION STICKS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS,AND SOMETIMES GO INTO SAFETY MODE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID NO CODES WHERE FOUND .I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD PUT SOME PRESSER ON FORD FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259506
37,693 miles · Jan 8, 2009
Power Train
MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT THAT WAS IN HAZELWOOD MISSOURI. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT SOMEONE TO HELP ME IN A TERRIBLE SITUATION. I BOUGHT A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAR, AND UP UNTIL NOW, NOT ONLY AM I DISAPPOINTED BUT VERY UNSATISFIED WITH MY CAR AND F…
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MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT THAT WAS IN HAZELWOOD MISSOURI. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT SOMEONE TO HELP ME IN A TERRIBLE SITUATION. I BOUGHT A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAR, AND UP UNTIL NOW, NOT ONLY AM I DISAPPOINTED BUT VERY UNSATISFIED WITH MY CAR AND FORD AUTO COMPANY. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, THE MORE I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE MORE IT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD IT TOWED TO PAUL CREAME FORD TO BE CHECKED. [XXX] CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST $6,000.00, (BEFORE THEY EVEN CHECKED IT OUT.) I THEN PROCEEDED TO CALL OR WHO I THOUGHT WAS FORD THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE. YES, I AM OVER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY BUT ONLY BY 1,763 MILES, IN OTHER WORDS I HAVE 37,693 MILE ON MY CAR. THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP CONTACT ME, AND TOLD ME THAT WOULD ONLY PAY PART OF IT AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT KNOW THE PRICE UNTIL THEY CHECK THE VEHICLE OUT. A FEW DAYS HAD PASS AND THE DEALER CALLED MY AND SAID, " IT COST $5,500.00 TO REBUILD YOUR TRANSMISSION AND FORD WILL ONLY PAY $3,500." [XXX] ALSO SAID THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE OF THE REST. I CALLED FORD BACK AND SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR AND BASICALLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT AND WILL NOT OVER TURN THAT DECISION. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT [XXX] , AND [XXX] BUT HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS. I FEEL THAT MY CAR HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS THE REASON I NEED A TRANSMISSION AND I ALSO FEEL THAT $5,500 IS A OUTRAGEOUS PRICE TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION FOR ANY VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD WILL NOT OR WONT STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS. I NEED HELP IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254297
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2008
Power Train
MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WITH JUST OVER 18, 000 MILES SUDDENLY WENT DEAD, WHILE PARTIALLY PULLED OUT IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS TRACED TO THE CVT TRANSMISSION. NO HARM OCCURRED, BUT I AM GOING TO GET RID OF THE CAR. I ALSO NOTICED INFO ON THE INTERNET WITH CVT PROBLEMS. I SEE TOO THAT FORD PULLED OUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS ON ITS NEW MODE…
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MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WITH JUST OVER 18, 000 MILES SUDDENLY WENT DEAD, WHILE PARTIALLY PULLED OUT IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS TRACED TO THE CVT TRANSMISSION. NO HARM OCCURRED, BUT I AM GOING TO GET RID OF THE CAR. I ALSO NOTICED INFO ON THE INTERNET WITH CVT PROBLEMS. I SEE TOO THAT FORD PULLED OUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS ON ITS NEW MODELS FOR THE SABLE (WHICH WAS THE MONTEGO) AND TAURUS. I HAD TO PAY JUST OVER $1900 ON THIS REPAIR--WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE IS FAIR, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CVT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247142
51,000 miles · Oct 21, 2008
Power TrainCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SPUTTERED AND THEN TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT BUT INSTEAD LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CARS FRONT TIRES TO SQUEAL AND A RAPID SLOW DOWN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ANYTIME I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. WITH CAREFUL DRIVING I CAN MINIMIZE IT BUT AM N…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SPUTTERED AND THEN TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT BUT INSTEAD LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CARS FRONT TIRES TO SQUEAL AND A RAPID SLOW DOWN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ANYTIME I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. WITH CAREFUL DRIVING I CAN MINIMIZE IT BUT AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE VERY WELL. DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246208
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
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.
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
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