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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

What owners actually said

135 reports
80,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT DOWNWARD SPIRAL.APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION,BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THE TOOLS OR PARTS TO REPLACE ANYTHING IN IT, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.APPROX. 1 WEEK AGO, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND M…

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I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT DOWNWARD SPIRAL.APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO REPLACE THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION,BECAUSE I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT SELL THE TOOLS OR PARTS TO REPLACE ANYTHING IN IT, THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.APPROX. 1 WEEK AGO, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR REVVED UP TO APPROX. 3500 RPM AND PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I THEN TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WAS ACTIVATED ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH A SMALL WRENCH SYMBOL ON THE MESSAGE BOARD.I THEN CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHERE IT SAID IT WAS FOR THE THROTTLE CONTROL, AND TRANSMISSION. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN, AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR THERE IMMEDIATELY. WHILE ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP THE SAME DAY, NUMEROUS TIMES I WOULD PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD DO NOTHING, IT WOULD NOT GO AT ALL AND THEN WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER APPROX. 5 SECONDS. I EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THE CAR WAS PLACED ON A COMPUTER THAT SAID THERE WERE NO CODES COMING UP FOR THE WARNING THAT CAME ON. AFTER ALREADY SPENDING $4,000 ON A TRANSMISSION, AGAIN I SPENT ANOTHER $200 TO CHANGE ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS AND CLEAN OUT THE THROTTLE CONTROL BOX, WHICH HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IN JANUARY 2010, I CALLED MY DEALER TO SET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AS A MAINTENANCE CALL, AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD DOES NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR FLUID UNTIL 150,000 MILES, IS THAT NORMAL? WHY ARE ALL OF THESE TRANSMISSION GOING BAD, AND WHY ARE THESE VEHICLES ACCELERATING BY THEMSELVES? NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE ANSWERS FOR ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS. WHY ARE THESE NOT BEING RECALLED LIKE TOYOTAS WERE? ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS, WILL THAT GET YOUR ATTENTION? THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A COMPUTER ISSUE WITHIN THE CAR,SAME SYSTEM THAT IS IN TOYOTA'S. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BEFORE SOMEONE'S HURT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345904

63,715 miles · Jul 11, 2010
Power Train

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO DUE TO INTER PROBLEMS WITHIN - I WENT ON LINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN FORD AND MERCURY CARS. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL - I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT FIXED AND MY MECHANIC…

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I RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO DUE TO INTER PROBLEMS WITHIN - I WENT ON LINE AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IN FORD AND MERCURY CARS. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL - I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE IT FIXED AND MY MECHANIC TRIED TO GET PARTS, AND A MANUAL TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT FORD WOULD NOT SELL HIM ANYTHING TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. BEFORE I GO FURTHER WE FIRST TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE HOW MUCHIT WOULD COST THEY SAID IT WOULD START ABOUT 4,000 DOLLARS WE COULD NOT AFFORD THAT AND TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND IT WAS FINALLY FIXED AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP 14 DAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE COULD NOT GET PARTS OR ANYTHING FROM THE FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT. HE FINALLY HAD TO GET A TOTAL DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR. I CONTACTED FORD IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN A FEW TIMES AND ONLY GOT THE RESPONSE - SORRY THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALLS - I FEEL LIKE SCREAMING THAT WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE RIDING A BUCKING BRONCO AND THEN IT WOULD SHIFT TO ANOTHER GREAR AND THEN JUST IDLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND YOU WOULD THINK GREAT IT'S GOING TO JUST STOP AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF ME AND WORST THE SIDE OF THE CAR - IF THAT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS - PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS GO ONLINE AND CHECK THE COMPLAINTS -ALSO, THE CAR ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT AND THAT IS THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ONLINE. YET FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR EVEN SAY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342505

50,327 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON JUNE 22, 2010 I NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FURTHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND JUMPING. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PULLING A 15% GRADE, ONCE TO THE TOP EVERYTHING SMOOTHED OUT. THEN 2 MILES FURTHER ANOTHER HILL CAME. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO STARTED TO BUCK AND J…

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ON JUNE 22, 2010 I NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. ABOUT 1/2 MILE FURTHER THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND JUMPING. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO WAS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME PULLING A 15% GRADE, ONCE TO THE TOP EVERYTHING SMOOTHED OUT. THEN 2 MILES FURTHER ANOTHER HILL CAME. THE 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO STARTED TO BUCK AND JUMP ONCE AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME THAT EVENING. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. IT WAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO BE LOOKED AT. WHAT WAS FOUND WAS AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECT THAT WAS CHANGED OUT AFTER A FOUR DAY WAITING PERIOD TO RECEIVE THE PART. THEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY! IT WILL COST ME $1,700.00 TO REPLACE THIS PART. NOW I AN FINDING THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL. SO MY QUESTION IS..HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THE NHTSA WILL PRESSURE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY INTO MAKING THEIR CARS SAFE TO OPERATE ON THE AMERICAN ROADWAYS? WHO IS WILLING AT THE NHTSA TO PUT THEIR FAMILY IN AN 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO KNOWING THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME CAUSING THEIR FAMILY TO BE STRANDED ON A FREEWAY OR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION? COME ON AND STEP FORWARD YOU CAN BORROW MY CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341051

110,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Power Train

2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH AND BUCKING TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, VERY OCCASIONAL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING AND SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DURING DECELERATION OR BRAKING SINCE APPROX. 50, 000 MILES (25, 000 MILES BEFORE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXP…

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2005 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ROUGH AND BUCKING TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AT 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, VERY OCCASIONAL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF WHILE IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING AND SHUDDERING TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DURING DECELERATION OR BRAKING SINCE APPROX. 50, 000 MILES (25, 000 MILES BEFORE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED). DEALER SERVICE WAS CONSULTED MULTIPLE TIMES. HOWEVER, I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THERE WERE NO COMPUTER CODES AND THAT TECHNICIANS COULDN'T "DUPLICATE THE CONDITION." THEREFORE, I HAVE LIVED WITH THE CONDITION SINCE THEN. THAT IS UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AND RUN OVER BY A SEMI BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE ON-RAMP TO I 95. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS SITE AND ON FORDFORUMS.COM. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO OPERATE AND CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE, LISTEN AND TAKE ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330976

51,000 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED SIMILAR TO DRIVING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. IN ADDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER RESET THE VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326674

56,555 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Power Train

MY 2005 MERCURY NONTEGO HAS 62550 MI ON CAR HEARD NOISE IN TRANSMISSION AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER LOOKING ON LINE NUMEROUS POEPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BETWEEN 54,000 MI AND 67000, MI , THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND THEY STATED BECAUSE THERE IS NO EXTENDED WA…

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MY 2005 MERCURY NONTEGO HAS 62550 MI ON CAR HEARD NOISE IN TRANSMISSION AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER LOOKING ON LINE NUMEROUS POEPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BETWEEN 54,000 MI AND 67000, MI , THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND THEY STATED BECAUSE THERE IS NO EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VECHILE THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME . SPEAKING WITH NUMEROUS MECHANICS THERE IS NO WAY A TRANSMISSION SOULD GO WITH THAT KIND OF MILAGE. FORD CORPORATION SAID THEY IT IS AGAINST COMPANY POLICY TO GIVE ANY TYPE OF CREDIT FOR THIS PROBLEM. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I WOULD THINK THAT FORD WOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE. I REALLY THINK THAT FORD SHOULD INITIATTE A CALL BACK ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, BUT THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT INITIATE ANYTHING UNLESS NATIONAL HIGWAY TRAFFIC SAFETIY AND ADMINISTRATION ITNITALIZES THE CALL BACK. SO I AM WRITING IN RESPONSE TO THEIR RESPNSE. YOU WOULD THINK A CORPORATION LIKE FORD WOULD INITIATE THEIR OWN CALL BACKS WITH THE NOTED PROBLEMS, JUST TO SAVE REPUTATIONS

NHTSA ODI #10322322

90,000 miles · Mar 18, 2010
EquipmentPower Train

2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS CLOSE TO 90K MILES. KEPT IN GREAT CONDITION BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING SAME SIGNS AS REPORTED MANY TIMES ON THIS THREAD. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS AND KICKING BACK REALLY HARD. THE COMPANY WILL HEAR US IF WE JOIN TOGETHER WE'RE LEARNING THAT WITH TOYOTA. LET'S GET TOGETHER AND FIGHT THIS ONE.. IT'S N…

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2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS CLOSE TO 90K MILES. KEPT IN GREAT CONDITION BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING SAME SIGNS AS REPORTED MANY TIMES ON THIS THREAD. JERKING BETWEEN GEARS AND KICKING BACK REALLY HARD. THE COMPANY WILL HEAR US IF WE JOIN TOGETHER WE'RE LEARNING THAT WITH TOYOTA. LET'S GET TOGETHER AND FIGHT THIS ONE.. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!! FACEBOOK ME [XXX] AND LET'S GET A PLAN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320817

55,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SHOWED "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" ON THE DISPLAY PANEL AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I HIT THE GAS ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES. ENGINE RESPONSE WAS INTERMITTENT AFTER THIS AND THEN THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL SHOWED UP. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY AND LOOK AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO…

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CAR SHOWED "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" ON THE DISPLAY PANEL AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I HIT THE GAS ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES. ENGINE RESPONSE WAS INTERMITTENT AFTER THIS AND THEN THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL SHOWED UP. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE CAR TO TRY AND LOOK AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THIS MEANT. COULD NOT FIND DETAILS. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE "WRENCH" WAS GONE AND THE "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" DISPLAY WAS NO LONGER SHOWING. WORRIED THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310769

27,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

WHILE IDLING WHEN STOPPED OR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, THE ENGINE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO ABOVE 3500 RPM CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNLESS THE BRAKE IS FIRMLY APPLIED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LASTS 3 TO 5 SECONDS. PLACING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. IN THE LAST 3 …

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WHILE IDLING WHEN STOPPED OR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, THE ENGINE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO ABOVE 3500 RPM CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD UNLESS THE BRAKE IS FIRMLY APPLIED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION LASTS 3 TO 5 SECONDS. PLACING THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL HAS NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE SPEED. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 7 TIMES. DEALER SAYS THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM REPORTS NOTHING UNUSUAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310294

54,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER WHO HAD CROSS THE CENTER LINE, IN WHICH CASE NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE BUNT FORCE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS TO THE PASSENGER FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE UNI-BODY AND THE FRONT CLIP SUPPORT CROSS SECTION MEET. THE VEHICLE I…

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MY PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER WHO HAD CROSS THE CENTER LINE, IN WHICH CASE NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. THE BUNT FORCE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS TO THE PASSENGER FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE UNI-BODY AND THE FRONT CLIP SUPPORT CROSS SECTION MEET. THE VEHICLE IS BEING MOVED TO THE NEAREST MERCURY DEALER. WE HAVE CONTACT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURE AND ARE AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE OFFICE OF GENERAL CONSOLE FOR A RESPONSE OF INVESTIGATION PLAN OF WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM REPRESENTING MY PARENT DO TO MY VEHICLE MECHANICAL BACKGROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292313

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