IllustrationAFTER HEAVY RAIN OR A CAR WASH THE DOORS ARE FULL OF WATER. I NEED TO PHYSICALLY LIFT THE RUBBER GASKETS TO ALLOW THE DOORS TO DRAIN FULLY AFTER EITHER EVENT. CORROSION PROBLEMS ARE SURELY GOING TO RESULT. ANY PLANS FOR A FIX? *TR
2006 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
100–25K
1425–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
12100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 16 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
85 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR, AND MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HARSH SHIFTING FAILURE WITH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR, AND MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN FLUSHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HARSH SHIFTING FAILURE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS AS THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,394. UPDATED 07/28/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/30/10*JB
CLIP HOLDING FUEL FILTER HOSE TO THE FUEL FILTER FAILED ALLOWING THE HOSE TO COME LOOSE AND LEAK FUEL UNDER PRESSURE. THE CAR HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 4 BLOCKS SO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS STILL COOL. HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BEEN HOT AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED A FIRE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. THE FUEL FILTER HAD NOT B…
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CLIP HOLDING FUEL FILTER HOSE TO THE FUEL FILTER FAILED ALLOWING THE HOSE TO COME LOOSE AND LEAK FUEL UNDER PRESSURE. THE CAR HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 4 BLOCKS SO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS STILL COOL. HAD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BEEN HOT AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED A FIRE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE OCCURRED. THE FUEL FILTER HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED, AS CONFIRMED BY MY SERVICE RECORDS, MAKING IT THE FILTER INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. *TR
WATER IS ACCUMULATING IN THE DOORS OF MY CAR. *TR
I TURNED ON ROAD HEADING SOUTH AND INCREASED SPEED TO LIMIT OF 55 MPH AND SET CRUISE CONTROL. THE ROAD SLOPED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD AND THE CAR WAS NOT REQUIRING GAS. THE SENSOR GOT CONFUSED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT LEAVING ME SUDDENLY WITHOUT POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE ROAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT I DI NOT H…
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I TURNED ON ROAD HEADING SOUTH AND INCREASED SPEED TO LIMIT OF 55 MPH AND SET CRUISE CONTROL. THE ROAD SLOPED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD AND THE CAR WAS NOT REQUIRING GAS. THE SENSOR GOT CONFUSED AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT LEAVING ME SUDDENLY WITHOUT POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE ROAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT I DI NOT HAVE A RECURRENCE BUT AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. I TOOK CAR INTO A DEALER AND THEY RESET THE SOFTWARE BUT TOLD ME IT HAPPENS TO ALL CAR MANUFACTURER ON A RARE OCCASION AND COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. IF I WAS NOT IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE I COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY.*TR
2 PROBLEMS WITH CAR 1) TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND 2) CYLINDER 5 FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN I REALIZED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WAS SITTING STILL WITHOUT ANY BREAK LIGHTS. I HIT MY BREAKS BUT I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS PUSHED BACK TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WOULD THINK THAT WITH THE BUMPER AND GRI…
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I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN I REALIZED THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WAS SITTING STILL WITHOUT ANY BREAK LIGHTS. I HIT MY BREAKS BUT I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS PUSHED BACK TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WOULD THINK THAT WITH THE BUMPER AND GRILL BEING PUSHED BACK TOWARD THE ENGINE THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. MY SON AND I WERE BOTH WEARING SEATBELTS AND SUFFERED INJURIES FROM THOSE. DESPITE THE SEAT BELT I WAS STILL THROWN FORWARD ALMOST SLAMMING INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM SEVERELY BRUISED ACROSS MY ABDOMEN AND RIGHT SHOULDER, I HAVE SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN. I CAN HARDLY USE MY RIGHT ARM AND CAN NOT LAY DOWN WITH OUT EXCRUCIATING PAIN IN MY CHEST AND SHOULDER. MY SON ONLY SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES AND SORENESS. I WONDER IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN SO FAR IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. I ALSO DON'T THINK MY SEAT BELT SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THAT MUCH AND SHOULD HAVE KEPT ME PLASTERED AGAINST THE SEAT. THE SEAT BELT DID LOCK UP AND KEPT ME FROM MOVING IN TWO OTHER INCIDENTS, WHERE I WAS ONLY SORE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS CONSISTENTLY FADING. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,500.
LOUD CLUNKING FROM REAR SUSPENSION, REPLACED REAR SHOCK AND TIGHTENED TORSION BARS ETC. NOISE WAS REDUCED BUT NEVER FULLY CORRECTED. CONSEQUENTLY MY CAR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RUINED ALL 4 TIRES IN JUST 32,000 MILES. SERVICE CENTER IS REFUSING TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE TIRES CUPPING ON THE INSIDE HAS BEEN…
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LOUD CLUNKING FROM REAR SUSPENSION, REPLACED REAR SHOCK AND TIGHTENED TORSION BARS ETC. NOISE WAS REDUCED BUT NEVER FULLY CORRECTED. CONSEQUENTLY MY CAR IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RUINED ALL 4 TIRES IN JUST 32,000 MILES. SERVICE CENTER IS REFUSING TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE TIRES CUPPING ON THE INSIDE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES SO IS THERE MORE WRONG HERE THAN THEY ARE SAYING. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED THERE EVERY 3,000 MILES AND TIRES ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES. I PAY THEM TO TAKE CARE OF MY CAR, IF I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED MY TIRES BEING CUPPED THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER SAID ANYTHING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO WITH PIRELLI P400 TOURING TIRES. HE NOTICED A BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. AS OF AUGUST 7, 2007, THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE, VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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