MY CAR DIES ALL THE TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. IT ALSO HAS A PICTURE OF A WRENCH AND WHEN THE CAR DIES IT SAYS FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ONLY DIES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT SPEED EITHER.
2005 Mercury Montego
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Montego years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
135 reportsMY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO SHUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE PAID AROUND $4000 TO TRY AND HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED. THE REVERSE GEAR IS UNUSABLE, AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE IT SHUTS THE CAR OFF. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND WILL NOT STEADILY ACCELERATE AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY S…
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MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO SHUTS OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE PAID AROUND $4000 TO TRY AND HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND IT HAS NEVER STOPPED. THE REVERSE GEAR IS UNUSABLE, AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE IT SHUTS THE CAR OFF. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND WILL NOT STEADILY ACCELERATE AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOSING ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING ABILITY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM CONSIDERING I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACKSEAT MOST EVERY TRIP. I SAW THIS LAWSUIT AND EVERY SINGLE THING LISTED ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAS HAPPENED AND IS STILL HAPPENING TO MY 2005 MONTEGO.
RECALL #06V383000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES "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." IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, YET THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. LAST NIGHT, REAR DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT DUE TO WATER SEEPAGE. TODAY, DRI…
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RECALL #06V383000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES "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." IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, YET THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. LAST NIGHT, REAR DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT DUE TO WATER SEEPAGE. TODAY, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IMPROPERLY, IF AT ALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ADDITIONAL RECALL LISTED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V515000) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PROPERLY AS WELL, AS BOTH RECALLS WERE (SUPPOSEDLY) FIXED AT THE SAME LOCATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A CORNER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AROUND A CORNER, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
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.
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.
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.
WHEN BRAKING IT JERKS AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REEVES TO 5000+ RPM. AFTER BRAKING AND SLOWING IT AGAIN SHIFTS BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKING OR INCREASING SPEED. NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM. HAVING TO SLOW SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FORD DEALER RECOMMENDS A NEW TRA…
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WHEN BRAKING IT JERKS AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REEVES TO 5000+ RPM. AFTER BRAKING AND SLOWING IT AGAIN SHIFTS BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKING OR INCREASING SPEED. NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM. HAVING TO SLOW SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FORD DEALER RECOMMENDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A TRANSMISSION SHOP RECOMMENDS A NEW ELECTRONIC MODULE..THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE INCIDENT PROBLEM OCCURRING APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO TO FOUR WEEKS. .
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.
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.
Official recalls
206V383000 · 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
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
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