← New search

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 →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

24 reports
Clear category filter
50,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,087.

NHTSA ODI #10453865

108,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WE OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE NOTICED ALTERNATE STALLING OR RANDOM ACCELERATING HOWEVER ON SATURDAY, AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED & REFUSED TO GO OVER 1,000 RPMS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE…

Read full complaint

WE OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS HAVE NOTICED ALTERNATE STALLING OR RANDOM ACCELERATING HOWEVER ON SATURDAY, AS I WAS ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED & REFUSED TO GO OVER 1,000 RPMS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. CAR IS CURRENTLY @ LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, ESTIMATE OF $850.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421345

73,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT ALMOST LURCHING FORWARD AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD DO THIS EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1000. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE VEHICLE DRIVES FINE…

Read full complaint

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ROUGH AND INCONSISTENT ALMOST LURCHING FORWARD AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD DO THIS EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES BATTERY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1000. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE VEHICLE DRIVES FINE. I DO STILL HAVE THE OLD PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420826

95,275 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE D…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ALTERNATOR WERE FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT THE ALTERNATOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,275.

NHTSA ODI #10418600

130,500 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE MESSAGE ( ENGINE FAILED SAFE MODE ) ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, THE MESSAGE ( ENGINE FAILED SAFE MODE ) ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,520.

NHTSA ODI #10411762

86,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES, WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NUMEROUS TIMES, WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10409322

1,008,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 05 MONTEGO I BROUGHT USED LAST YEAR IT WANTS TO GO BY ITSELF WHEN U START TO LEAVE I ALMOST HIT A PERSON WHILE IN DRIVE THRU LAST WEEK THIS IS SCARY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DYE OR GET HURT BEFORE A RECALL WAS TOLD IT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR REALLY EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND NOT SURE WHICH ONE THEIRS TWO IM TOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409289

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I A…

Read full complaint

ENGINE REVS UP, AND CAR LURCHES, TYPICALLY WHEN: - SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND/OR MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE; - ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE WHEELS ARE CRANKED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE CAR IS MOVING AWAY FROM IDLE. THE LURCHING IS SUDDEN AND "VIOLENT" ENOUGH THAT IT CAN CATCH A DRIVER UNPREPARED - MY WIFE AND I ARE USED TO IT AND ABLE TO COMPENSATE, BUT WE AREN'T LETTING OUR 17 YEAR-OLD DRIVE THE CAR FOR NOW UNLESS ONE OF US IS WITH HER. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCASIONAL PROBLEM FOR YEARS - COMPLAINT WAS EVEN MADE WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER ITS 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY (NOTHING FOUND). PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING MORE FREQUENT OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO.

NHTSA ODI #10411292

77,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND KNOCK AND WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. ALSO WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES WOULD ACTUALLY SPEED UP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND KNOCK AND WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE. ALSO WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES WOULD ACTUALLY SPEED UP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10358494

79,000 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO (79,000MI.) HAS UNEXPECTEDLY LURCHED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD. BRAKING HELPED, BUT THE LUNGING OCCURRED AGAIN EACH TIME I TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TURN THE CAR…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO (79,000MI.) HAS UNEXPECTEDLY LURCHED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD. BRAKING HELPED, BUT THE LUNGING OCCURRED AGAIN EACH TIME I TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TURN THE CAR OFF WHICH STOPPED THE LURCHING MOVEMENT. I SAT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE YESTERDAY. THIS TIME I WAS READY TO BACK OUT AF A PARKING SPACE, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACKWARD. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND SHUT IT OFF. ONCE AGAIN I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND DROVE AWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO THE CAR WHEN IT LUNGED, OR I COULD HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WITH BOTH OF THESE OCCURRENCES THE " FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE APPEARED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357637

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