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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

Power Train complaints

49 reports
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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

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

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

40,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. ALSO THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. ALSO THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378643

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2010
Power Train

2005 MERCURY MONTEGO AWD REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE, NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369976

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