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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

6 reports
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108,000 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHEN LOWERING THE ORIGINAL CAR'S MANUAL SCISSOR JACK IT GAVE OUT HALF WAY DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY SUDDENLY. THE THREADING ON THE POWER SCREW SEEM FINE BUT THE PIN THAT IT FEEDS THROUGH ON THE OTHER END LOOKS MANGLED (SEE PICTURES). WHEN THE JACK DROPPED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER SCREW SLID. NO ONE WAS H…

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WHEN LOWERING THE ORIGINAL CAR'S MANUAL SCISSOR JACK IT GAVE OUT HALF WAY DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY SUDDENLY. THE THREADING ON THE POWER SCREW SEEM FINE BUT THE PIN THAT IT FEEDS THROUGH ON THE OTHER END LOOKS MANGLED (SEE PICTURES). WHEN THE JACK DROPPED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER SCREW SLID. NO ONE WAS HARMED.

NHTSA ODI #11350570

120,000 miles · May 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR DIES ALL THE TIME. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. IT ALSO HAS A PICTURE OF A WRENCH AND WHEN THE CAR DIES IT SAYS FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ONLY DIES WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT SPEED EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #10870921

39,700 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

RECALL #06V383000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES "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." IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, YET THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. LAST NIGHT, REAR DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT DUE TO WATER SEEPAGE. TODAY, DRI…

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RECALL #06V383000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES "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." IS LISTED AS HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, YET THE ISSUE IS STILL PRESENT. LAST NIGHT, REAR DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT DUE TO WATER SEEPAGE. TODAY, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IMPROPERLY, IF AT ALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ADDITIONAL RECALL LISTED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V515000) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PROPERLY AS WELL, AS BOTH RECALLS WERE (SUPPOSEDLY) FIXED AT THE SAME LOCATION.

NHTSA ODI #10853611

142,691 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

PARKED CAR AT HOME AFTER DROPPING DAUGHTER OFF IN TOWN CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. FIVE HOURS LATER WENT OUT TO PICK DAUGHTER UP. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, NO CLUSTER PANEL AT ALL. NO LIGHTS ON PANEL, A/C WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON A…

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PARKED CAR AT HOME AFTER DROPPING DAUGHTER OFF IN TOWN CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. FIVE HOURS LATER WENT OUT TO PICK DAUGHTER UP. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, NO CLUSTER PANEL AT ALL. NO LIGHTS ON PANEL, A/C WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE WRENCH SYMBOL LIGHT CAME ON AT THIS TIME. I TESTED THE CAR DAILY WITH THE SAME RESULTS, UNTIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH. I HAD AN APPT TO TAKE IT IN TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AT THIS TIME, THE CLUSTER PANEL AND A/C WERE WORKING, THE BACKUP LIGHTS WERE OFF (EXCEPT WHEN IN REVERSE) AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS NOW OFF. HOWEVER, NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAS THAT THE CLUSTER PANEL WAS BAD AND WAS SENDING INCORRECT CODES (P0462 & P2067) CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. SINCE THOSE CODES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10747906

58,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHEN BRAKING IT JERKS AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REEVES TO 5000+ RPM. AFTER BRAKING AND SLOWING IT AGAIN SHIFTS BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKING OR INCREASING SPEED. NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM. HAVING TO SLOW SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FORD DEALER RECOMMENDS A NEW TRA…

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WHEN BRAKING IT JERKS AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REEVES TO 5000+ RPM. AFTER BRAKING AND SLOWING IT AGAIN SHIFTS BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN BRAKING OR INCREASING SPEED. NO DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INDICATING A PROBLEM. HAVING TO SLOW SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FORD DEALER RECOMMENDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A TRANSMISSION SHOP RECOMMENDS A NEW ELECTRONIC MODULE..THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE INCIDENT PROBLEM OCCURRING APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO TO FOUR WEEKS. .

NHTSA ODI #10732342

46,000 miles · Jun 7, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT 25 30 EVEN MORE. WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THE COMPLETE DASH CLUSTER LOST ALL FUNCTIONS AND READ OUTS, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. A FEW TIMES 9 OR SO THE CAR WOULD BUCK A FEW TIMES. I HAD THE HARNESS CONNECTOR CHECKED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VEHICL…

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TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT 25 30 EVEN MORE. WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THE COMPLETE DASH CLUSTER LOST ALL FUNCTIONS AND READ OUTS, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH. A FEW TIMES 9 OR SO THE CAR WOULD BUCK A FEW TIMES. I HAD THE HARNESS CONNECTOR CHECKED AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS CONDITION PREVENTS ME FROM USING THE VEHICLE AS NEEDED, TO DRIVER A FEW TIMES A YEAR FROM CONNECTICUT TO NORTH CAROLINA AND BACK TO VISIT AILING FAMILY MEMBERS. NO OTHER REASONABLE TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. WE WILL PRO ALLY NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. NEED ADVICE AS TO PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10723816

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