NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
135 reports130,500 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE MESSAGE ( ENGINE FAILED SAFE MODE ) ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE MESSAGE ( ENGINE FAILED SAFE MODE ) ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,520.
NHTSA ODI #10411762
80,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAVE A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO,ON MANY OCCASIONS THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGES AND THE RPM INCREASE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I QUICKLY HAVE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES. HAPPENS IN BOTH. DRIVE AND REVERSE. AFRAID I WILL HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING WHEN I PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. HAVE BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REP…
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HAVE A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO,ON MANY OCCASIONS THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGES AND THE RPM INCREASE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I QUICKLY HAVE TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES. HAPPENS IN BOTH. DRIVE AND REVERSE. AFRAID I WILL HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING WHEN I PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. HAVE BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE AND CHECKED COMPUTER CODES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411477
86,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES, WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES, WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10409322
1,008,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 05 MONTEGO I BROUGHT USED LAST YEAR IT WANTS TO GO BY ITSELF WHEN U START TO LEAVE I ALMOST HIT A PERSON WHILE IN DRIVE THRU LAST WEEK THIS IS SCARY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DYE OR GET HURT BEFORE A RECALL WAS TOLD IT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR REALLY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND NOT SURE WHICH ONE THEIRS TWO IM TOLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409289
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I A…
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ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I ARE USED TO IT AND ABLE TO COMPENSATE, BUT WE AREN'T LETTING OUR 17 YEAR-OLD DRIVE THE CAR FOR NOW UNLESS ONE OF US IS WITH HER. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM FOR YEARS - COMPLAINT WAS EVEN MADE WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER ITS 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY (NOTHING FOUND). PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO.
NHTSA ODI #10411292
35,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITH AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO THE MAXIMUM READING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND STABIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITH AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO THE MAXIMUM READING. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND STABILIZER LINK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC A SECOND TIME WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10407468
54,995 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST WHEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND PERFORMED A ROAD TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST WHEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND PERFORMED A ROAD TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,947. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,995.
NHTSA ODI #10405504
60,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND DECELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND DECELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10401499
179,453 miles · Apr 24, 2011
Power Train
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011, STARTED TO PASS A TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT I WAS LOSING POWER - I LOOKED AT THE TACHOMETER AND NOTICED THE RPM'S INCREASING. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND GOT BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. AS I GOT FURTHER DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A LOUD, SCREAMING NOISE, AND I CONTINUED TO LOSE POWE…
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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011, STARTED TO PASS A TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT I WAS LOSING POWER - I LOOKED AT THE TACHOMETER AND NOTICED THE RPM'S INCREASING. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND GOT BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. AS I GOT FURTHER DOWN THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A LOUD, SCREAMING NOISE, AND I CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE (I WAS ON AN OVERPASS). THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN BUT IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY CHECKED AND REPLACED THE CV AXEL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN MARCH 2011 I NOTICED THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE MISFIRING SO I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY SAID THE PLUGS NEEDED REPLACED AND ONE MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACED. I WAS LEAVING FOR VACATION SO THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT AND RETURN AND THEN BRING BACK FOR REPAIR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK ON TUESDAY APRIL 5, 2011. WHILE CHECKING THE CAR OUT, THEY FOUND THE PART REPLACED FOR THE CV AXEL WAS ONCE AGAIN BROKEN, WHICH THEY REPLACED. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON FRIDAY APRIL 8, 2011. I LEFT THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, DROVE APPROX 20 MILES WHEN I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM STARTING. I RETURNED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE CV AXEL PROBLEM WAS AGAIN OCCURRING - THE SPLINES WERE BROKEN. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THIS TIME TO HAVE AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, SAID THE CV AXEL ASSEMBLY WOULD BE WARRANTY, BUT IT WOULD BE APPROX $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397253
105,000 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Electrical System
1) NO PRIOR EVENTS LEAD TO THIS PROBLEM IT JUST HAPPENED. 2)THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO LOST ALL GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, LIGHTS,TURN-SIGNALS. THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. 3) THE REPAIR SHOP IS STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392593
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