IllustrationENGINE SAFE MODE
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
140–25K
1625–50K
3650–75K
2175–100K
25100–150K
11150K+
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
Engine complaints
10 reportsCAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS …
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CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN CAR WAS RELEASED AND STILL NO SOLUTION.
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.
I JUST PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT NOT EVEN 10 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS JERKING THEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE WORST BEING ON A ONE WAY AND MY NIECES NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD IN THE CAR MY CAR MADE A KIND OF A LOUD HUMMING NOISE,JERKED THEN STOPPED IN THE STREET.AT…
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I JUST PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT NOT EVEN 10 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS JERKING THEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE WORST BEING ON A ONE WAY AND MY NIECES NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD IN THE CAR MY CAR MADE A KIND OF A LOUD HUMMING NOISE,JERKED THEN STOPPED IN THE STREET.AT TIMES I CAN'T EVEN REVERSE OR GO UP STEEP HILLS. *TR
UPON ENTERING TRAFFIC FLOW ON I-94 WESTBOUND NEAR NEW BUFFALO MICHIGAN THE ACCELERATION OF ENGINE QUIT INSTANTANEOUSLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP READING SOMETHING ABOUT A FAIL SAFE MODE. AFTER COASTING BACK ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES TO THE SIDE OF ROAD I SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. TO KEEP FROM GETTING STRANDED ALONG THE HIG…
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UPON ENTERING TRAFFIC FLOW ON I-94 WESTBOUND NEAR NEW BUFFALO MICHIGAN THE ACCELERATION OF ENGINE QUIT INSTANTANEOUSLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT LIT UP READING SOMETHING ABOUT A FAIL SAFE MODE. AFTER COASTING BACK ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES TO THE SIDE OF ROAD I SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. TO KEEP FROM GETTING STRANDED ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND SINCE THE ENGINE INFO LIGHT READ ALL SYSTEMS WERE OK AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES I RESTARTED THE MOTOR AND IT RAN OK. I STAYED IN THE SLOW LANE SO I COULD PULL OFF THE ROAD IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHICH IT DIDN'T . THE NEXT DAY ON COUNTY ROAD 500N IN INDIANA IT DID IT AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE BODY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AS I WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING THE CAR DECELERATED AND WAS LOSING POWER AND RPM'S WENT WAY TOO HIGH THEN IT SHOULD OF. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACTING PROPERLY.THE CAR HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN HITTING BUMPS. *TR
I WAS IN THE MEDDLE LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL MY ACCELERATION. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT EVERY FEW MILES IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT IS NOT …
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I WAS IN THE MEDDLE LANE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I LOST ALL MY ACCELERATION. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT GO ANYWHERE. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE CAR BUT EVERY FEW MILES IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED ! MY PART COST OVER 600.00 SO IT SETS IN THE DRIVE. *TR
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…
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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
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…
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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
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