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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

What owners actually said

135 reports
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

32,000 miles · Nov 29, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP VIOLENTLY IN A JERKING MOTION. IN ADDITION, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NINETEEN DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP VIOLENTLY IN A JERKING MOTION. IN ADDITION, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NINETEEN DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE SERVICE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437710

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2011
Power TrainCrashInjury

PURCHASED CAR ON 10/3/2011 FROM DRIVETIME MOTORS. ON THE WAY HOME, CAR HAD OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/5/2011, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPON TESTING, PRIOR TO PICK UP, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION TO BE A BAD ONE. REPLACED WITH ANOTHER LKQ TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP CAR ON 10/27/11. …

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PURCHASED CAR ON 10/3/2011 FROM DRIVETIME MOTORS. ON THE WAY HOME, CAR HAD OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/5/2011, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPON TESTING, PRIOR TO PICK UP, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION TO BE A BAD ONE. REPLACED WITH ANOTHER LKQ TRANSMISSION. PICKED UP CAR ON 10/27/11. ON 10/29/2011, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT ALERTED IN CAR. PARKED CAR AT HOME. ON 10/30/11, DROVE CAR 2 MILES TO CHURCH AND BACKED CAR INTO PARKING SPACE ALONG TREE LINE. AN HOUR LATER, SENT CHILD TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE TRUNK. CHILD WALKED AROUND TO THE TRUNK AND USED KEY FOB TO OPEN THE TRUNK. AS HE LEANED TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK, CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AND KNOCKED HIM DOWN, LUCKILY, CAR WAS STOPPED BY TREE LIMBS ON RAVINE OF TREE LINE, AS CHILD ROLLED DOWN RAVINE. RESULTING INJURIES WERE HEAD CONTUSION, CONCUSSION AND BADLY BRUISED ARM AND BACK. DRIVETIME SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND WANTED ME TO PICK UP AND ASSUME OWNERSHIP. THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, HAD NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND NO ONE INSIDE THE CAR. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND PICTURES TAKEN OF THE GEAR SHIFT SHOWING THE CAR TO BE IN PARK. I AM NOT GOING TO RECLAIM THE CAR, AND AM AFRAID THAT DRIVETIME IS GOING TO RETURN THIS CAR BACK TO A DEALERSHIP TO SALE AND ENDANGER SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436153

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

45,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE READINGS DECREASED TO ZERO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE GAUGES RESET TO THE ACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE READINGS DECREASED TO ZERO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING SOUND BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE GAUGES RESET TO THE ACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421449

108,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WE OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE NOTICED ALTERNATE STALLING OR RANDOM ACCELERATING HOWEVER ON SATURDAY, AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED & REFUSED TO GO OVER 1,000 RPMS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE…

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WE OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE NOTICED ALTERNATE STALLING OR RANDOM ACCELERATING HOWEVER ON SATURDAY, AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED & REFUSED TO GO OVER 1,000 RPMS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR IS CURRENTLY @ LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, ESTIMATE OF $850.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421345

73,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT ALMOST LURCHING FORWARD AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD DO THIS EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1000. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE VEHICLE DRIVES FINE…

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WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT ALMOST LURCHING FORWARD AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD DO THIS EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1000. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE VEHICLE DRIVES FINE. I DO STILL HAVE THE OLD PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420826

97,448 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Seat Belts

I OWN A MERCURY MONTEGO 2005 PREMIER EDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP SOMETIMES RATCHETS UP SUPER TIGHT ON THE PASSENGER CAUSING THEM TO HAVE TO REMOVE IT LET IT TRAVEL BACK IN AND THEN REBUCKLE IT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPLACED AT THIS TIME,BECAUSE I HARDLY EVER HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT. BUT TODAY I HAD TO H…

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I OWN A MERCURY MONTEGO 2005 PREMIER EDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP SOMETIMES RATCHETS UP SUPER TIGHT ON THE PASSENGER CAUSING THEM TO HAVE TO REMOVE IT LET IT TRAVEL BACK IN AND THEN REBUCKLE IT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPLACED AT THIS TIME,BECAUSE I HARDLY EVER HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT. BUT TODAY I HAD TO HAVE MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLING ASSEMBLY REPLACED AS THE WHOLE THING ,COVERS FELL OFF,AND SPRING AND TENSIONER FAILED TO THE POINT OF NOT STAYING HOOKED TOGETHER. IN OTHER WORDS THE WHOLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WOULDN'T STAY LATCHED. REPLACED AT FORD DEALER WITH PART# 6F9Z7461203BB [BUCKLE ASSEMBLY] TO THE TOON OF $250.08 PRETTY STEEP PRICE. I GUESS I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE BELTS,AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A SO CALLED MANDATORY WORN SAFETY ITEM AT ALL TIMES. IF THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, I GUESS I SHOULD JUST MAYBE LET FORD MOTOR CO. KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419897

95,275 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,275.

NHTSA ODI #10418600

101,000 miles · Jul 30, 2011
Power Train

2005 MERCURY MONTEGO LUNGES FORWARD AND WHEN IN REVERSE ALSO IT STALLS AND SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY AND HAVE PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AT TIMES. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND GOT THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10416322

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