NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
135 reports113,707 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Structure
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 AFTE…
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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 ODI #11063432
60,000 miles · Apr 22, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
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 ODI #10979920
69,179 miles · Apr 13, 2017
Structure
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 T…
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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 ODI #10972303
63,000 miles · Jan 28, 2017
Structure
FRONT DOOR LATCH FREEZES OPEN ALL THE TIME IN COLD WEATHER. I'M AFRAID IT OPENS WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #10948087
140,000 miles · Dec 18, 2016
Structure
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 REC…
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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 ODI #10936037
70,000 miles · Oct 15, 2016
Power Train
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 PRO…
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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 ODI #10916257
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
126,000 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Service BrakesCrash
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 OR…
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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 ODI #10895433
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
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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
1PE11018 · 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