NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
135 reports79,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HOWEVER, THE LATCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HOWEVER, THE LATCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10490986
65,000 miles · Oct 30, 2012
Electrical System
MERCURY MONTEGO 2005 INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. GETTING LONGER DURATION BEFORE PANEL COMES BACK ON. THE INTERIOR IS PITCH BLACK, I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. MY BACK UP LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHEN PANEL GOES . DRIVERS BEHIND ME STAY CLEAR, THINKING I AM BACKING UP. I HAVE NO AI…
Read full complaint
MERCURY MONTEGO 2005 INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. GETTING LONGER DURATION BEFORE PANEL COMES BACK ON. THE INTERIOR IS PITCH BLACK, I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING, HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. MY BACK UP LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHEN PANEL GOES . DRIVERS BEHIND ME STAY CLEAR, THINKING I AM BACKING UP. I HAVE NO AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE RADIO , HEAD LIGHTS , BRAKE LIGHTS . I DID NOT TRY THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DEATH. .IT IS OVER A 600.00 REPAIR..I GOOGLED AND OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS D A N G ER OUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482668
40,525 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IMMEDIATETLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IMMEDIATETLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MECHATRONICS UNIT BUT THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,525.
NHTSA ODI #10479396
108,485 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Engine
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 108K, GOT WAY OVERCHARGED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY CREDIT. THE SECOND DAY THAT I HAD THE CAR I WAS TAKING MY BABY TO DAY CARE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE ALMOST GOT HIT. THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME ON. THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME. TOOK IT…
Read full complaint
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 108K, GOT WAY OVERCHARGED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANY CREDIT. THE SECOND DAY THAT I HAD THE CAR I WAS TAKING MY BABY TO DAY CARE. THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE ALMOST GOT HIT. THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME ON. THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN ON THE WAY HOME. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK TODAY AND IT DID IT AGAIN! I'M ABOUT TO LOOSE IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474170
69,000 miles · Aug 3, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2011. AUGUST 2011, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND ACT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN GRADUALLY APPLYING THE BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUDDER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONLY IF THE ENGINE WAS WARM. BY MARCH 2012, THE SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION AND JERK WAS CONSTANT. I TOOK IT IN TO B…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2011. AUGUST 2011, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO VIOLENTLY JERK AND ACT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN GRADUALLY APPLYING THE BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO SHUDDER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONLY IF THE ENGINE WAS WARM. BY MARCH 2012, THE SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION AND JERK WAS CONSTANT. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT IN APRIL OF 2012. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, DUE TO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THE MECHANIC BELIEVED THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO JERK. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. JUNE 2012 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR 5,000. JULY 2012 THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL ENGINE SAFE MODE, THE CODES POINTING TO THE THROTTLE BODY. A MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY SAYING IT MIGHT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL ENGINE SAFE MODE AGAIN WITH THE SAME CODES WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $900. THE CAR HAS 72000K ON IT AND HAS HAD THREE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469140
56,000 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Power Train
THE CAR WILL SHUTTER, SHAKES AND BANGS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN FOR EXAMPLE THE CAR BEGINS TO CLIMB A SLIGHT GRADE AND NEEDS A LOWER GEAR TO MAINTAIN SPEED. SOMETIMES, DURING THE SAME SCENARIO, THE CAR WILL SHIFT MOMENTARILY INTO WHAT SEAMS TO BE NEUTRAL CAUSING ENGINE RPM TO SPIKE FROM 2,000 RPM UP…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WILL SHUTTER, SHAKES AND BANGS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN FOR EXAMPLE THE CAR BEGINS TO CLIMB A SLIGHT GRADE AND NEEDS A LOWER GEAR TO MAINTAIN SPEED. SOMETIMES, DURING THE SAME SCENARIO, THE CAR WILL SHIFT MOMENTARILY INTO WHAT SEAMS TO BE NEUTRAL CAUSING ENGINE RPM TO SPIKE FROM 2,000 RPM UP TO 6,000 RPM. IN EITHER CASE, IT SCARES YOU AND YOU THINK SOMETHING MAJOR IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND YOU IMMEDIATELY SEARCH TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. THE CARS AROUND YOU ABRUPTLY TRY TO AVOID YOUR SUDDEN DECREASE OF SPEED. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CAR SEAMS TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY WHILE UP SHIFTING TO SPEED ALTHOUGH MAYBE THE SHIFTS ARE GETTING A BIT HARDER THAN WE WERE USED TO. THE DEALER REPLACED AN ENGINE MOUNT ANTI-TORQUE BRACKET FOR $600.00 THAT THEY DETERMINED WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT DID NOT HELP. NO DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GIVING REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. WE BASICALLY DO NOT TRUST THE CAR TO TRAVEL ANY WHERE BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. I SEE MANY OTHERS ON THE WEB HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR MONTEGO'S. WE HAVE MAINTAINED OUR CAR VERY WELL DURING ITS SHORT LIFE. THE DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SHOPS ARE PERPLEXED TO THE SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS NOW THAT MAYBE IT IS A "VALVE BODY" CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT ARE NOT QUITE SURE. $2,400.00 DOLLARS FOR A "NOT QUITE SURE" FIX IS A BIT MUCH SPECIALLY AFTER ALREADY SINKING $600.00 INTO THE PROBLEM. FORD, WHAT DO YOU THINK? TIME TO ISSUE A RECALL AND ADMIT THERE IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM HERE? BE FAIR AND HELP CONSUMERS REMEDY THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 2005 MONTEGO'S BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463605
89,000 miles · Jun 7, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE ON MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO JUST WENT "DEAD". NOTHING REGISTERED, SO THERE WAS NO READING ON MY SPEED, ENGINE HEAT GAUGE, FUEL LEVEL, OR TACHOMETER. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN EARLY SPRING OF THIS YEAR (2012), BUT DID NOT REPEAT UNTIL RECENTLY. IT IS NOW JUNE AND THE SAME THING HAS RE-OCCURRED ABOUT 10 TIMES IN…
Read full complaint
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE ON MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO JUST WENT "DEAD". NOTHING REGISTERED, SO THERE WAS NO READING ON MY SPEED, ENGINE HEAT GAUGE, FUEL LEVEL, OR TACHOMETER. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN EARLY SPRING OF THIS YEAR (2012), BUT DID NOT REPEAT UNTIL RECENTLY. IT IS NOW JUNE AND THE SAME THING HAS RE-OCCURRED ABOUT 10 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THIS SOMETIMES (BUT NOT ALWAYS), "FIXES" THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, IF THE GAUGES DO WORK, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TURNS ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE AWD MALFUNCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYS IN THE INFORMATION PANEL UNTIL I HIT THE RESET BUTTON. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, IS THIS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM OR IS MY AIRBAG REALLY MALFUNCTIONING? AND HOW DO I KNOW MY SPEED OTHER THAN TO GUESS? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10460882
50,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,087.
NHTSA ODI #10453865
62,000 miles · Mar 23, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP OR DOWNHILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP OR DOWNHILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN DOWN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION OR THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #10452794
55,000 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Power Train
THIS CAR AT 35 MPH LOSES POWER AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR.I HAVE FOUND ATSB08-24-1-.THIS DATES BACK TO NOVEMBER13,2008.THE FORD DEALER HAS TOLD ME REPEATDLY THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND MY CAR IS FINE.I ASKED IF THEY KNEW OF ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY STATED NO.WHEN THE CAR DOES THIS IT JUST LOSES POWER AND YOU HAVE TO SLO…
Read full complaint
THIS CAR AT 35 MPH LOSES POWER AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR.I HAVE FOUND ATSB08-24-1-.THIS DATES BACK TO NOVEMBER13,2008.THE FORD DEALER HAS TOLD ME REPEATDLY THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND MY CAR IS FINE.I ASKED IF THEY KNEW OF ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY STATED NO.WHEN THE CAR DOES THIS IT JUST LOSES POWER AND YOU HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND ACCELERATE VERY SLOW AND HOPE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452683
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