TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,573.
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
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.
Power Train complaints
49 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,487. *TR
ON 2/27/13 THROTTLE WAS CLEANED NOT REPLACED PER FORD RECALL 12NO3. ON 5/18/13 BEING STUCK IN CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AT A STAND STILL, FOOT ON BRAKE ENGINE PROCEEDED LIKE A 747 GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF. CAR MOVED FORWARD SOME 1 TO 2 FT.. KILLED ENGINE, TURNED IT ON AGAIN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE CAR PROCEEDED TO MOVE. KILLED ENGINE, …
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ON 2/27/13 THROTTLE WAS CLEANED NOT REPLACED PER FORD RECALL 12NO3. ON 5/18/13 BEING STUCK IN CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AT A STAND STILL, FOOT ON BRAKE ENGINE PROCEEDED LIKE A 747 GETTING READY TO TAKE OFF. CAR MOVED FORWARD SOME 1 TO 2 FT.. KILLED ENGINE, TURNED IT ON AGAIN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE CAR PROCEEDED TO MOVE. KILLED ENGINE, TURNED BACK ON. NO OTHER PROBLEM UNTIL I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON WAY TO DESTINATION. AGAIN ENGINE BEGIN TO WHINE AT HIGH RATE AS IF I WAS IN NEUTRAL AND HAD FOOT A GAS. KILLED ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO DESTINATION WITHOUT PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP ON 5/9/13. DEALERSHIP DID DIAGNOSTIC, FOUND THROTTLE BODY BAD. HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS ON OR ABOUT 3500 MILES ON VEHICLE SINCE TIME OF CLEANING TO REPAIR. OF THE 3500 MILES, 2000 WAS ON OUR TRIP. TALKED WITH FORD CORPORATE STATED DEALERSHIP PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CHOSEN TO CLEAN RATHER THEN REPLACE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS THROTTLE CONTROL TIES INTO THE TRANSMISSION IN WHICH FORD HAS HAD THEIR SHARE OF PROBLEMS. *TR
AFTER DRIVING CAR 20 MINUTES AND ONCE THE CAR ENGINE HEATS UP THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO BUCK AND JERK WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
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…
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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.
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…
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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
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…
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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
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…
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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.
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…
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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
THE THROTTLE BODY IS BAD ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL. *TR
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
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