← 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

What owners actually said

135 reports
79,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS AN INSTRUMENT FAILURE IN WHICH ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. ONE LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER IGNITION WAS OFF. THE BACKUP LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE IN DRIVE PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, A CAR APPROACHING FROM THE REAR, UPON SEEING FAULTY BACKUP LIGHTS ON MAY SWERVE TO AVOID. THIS SITU…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO HAS AN INSTRUMENT FAILURE IN WHICH ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. ONE LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER IGNITION WAS OFF. THE BACKUP LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE IN DRIVE PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE, A CAR APPROACHING FROM THE REAR, UPON SEEING FAULTY BACKUP LIGHTS ON MAY SWERVE TO AVOID. THIS SITUATION WOULD BE EVEN MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN AT NIGHT ON A TWO LANE ROAD. NHTSA PREVIOUSLY CLOSED THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION DUE TO 'NO SAFETY DEFECT'. THAT REASON WAS BASED ON FORD'S INACCURATE STATEMENT TO ODI THAT THE BACKUP LIGHTS WERE NOT AN ISSUE. FORD LATER ISSUED TSB 06-6-2 WITH REVISION 06-17-2 BOTH ADVISING DEALERS THAT BACKUP LIGHTS PROBLEM WAS AN ISSUE. THE DEFECT WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULT IN THE WIRING OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PER THE LATTER TSB. BASED ON THIS, IT IS LIKELY THERE ARE THOUSANDS OR MORE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND FOR WHICH OWNERS HAD TO PAY OVER $700 TO CORRECT DUE TO NO RECALL. PLEASE RE-OPEN. (PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BY THIS WRITER WITH LESS INFORMATION). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389836

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…

Read full complaint

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

78,000 miles · Jan 9, 2011
Electrical System

ON JANUARY 8, 2011, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO (SAME AS FORD FIVE HUNDRED) LOST ALL GAUGES: NO SPEEDOMETER, NO LIGHTS, NO DASH TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ETC. THE BACKUP LIGHTS ALSO STAY ON IN ALL GEARS AT ALL TIMES. MILEAGE 78,000. THESE ARE UNSAFE CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. PER FORD REPAIR SHOPS, …

Read full complaint

ON JANUARY 8, 2011, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO (SAME AS FORD FIVE HUNDRED) LOST ALL GAUGES: NO SPEEDOMETER, NO LIGHTS, NO DASH TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ETC. THE BACKUP LIGHTS ALSO STAY ON IN ALL GEARS AT ALL TIMES. MILEAGE 78,000. THESE ARE UNSAFE CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR NIGHT DRIVING. PER FORD REPAIR SHOPS, THE ONLY REMEDY IS FULL REPLACEMENT OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS; HOWEVER THEIR LAST RESPONSE TO NHTSA ODI WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS 'INTERMITTENT'. BASED ON THIS, ODI CLOSED FILE IN 2007 FOR NO 'SAFETY ISSUE' BASED ON FORD RESPONSE. THE STATEMENT THAT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT IS NOT TRUE AND THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY ME WITH DEALER AND BY MANY OTHERS IN ONLINE POSTS. 'INTERMITTENT PROBLEM' ABSOLUTELY IS NOT CORRECT AND BELIEVE THE ODI FILE SHOULD BE RE-OPENED BASED ON KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375280

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2010
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10369976

55,000 miles · Dec 10, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS A…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10369900

48,850 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK WITH HER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE CALL BACK WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,856. THE

NHTSA ODI #10360485

60,000 miles · Oct 6, 2010
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN A FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE ARM THAT GOES FROM THE CHASSIS TO SUPPORT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, OR THE JOINT PART, LEAVING THE WHEEL COMPLETELY WITHOUT SUPPORT WHICH ALMOST MADE ME LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW UP, BUT ONCE I …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN A FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE ARM THAT GOES FROM THE CHASSIS TO SUPPORT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, OR THE JOINT PART, LEAVING THE WHEEL COMPLETELY WITHOUT SUPPORT WHICH ALMOST MADE ME LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A TIRE BLEW UP, BUT ONCE I STOPPED I SAW THE BAR BROKE IN THE CENTER HANGING FROM THE CHASSIS AND THE OTHER PART HANGING FROM THE WHEEL. GOING AT 55 MPH AND HAVING NO CONTROL OVER THE BACK WHEEL IT WAS A MIRACLE I DID NOT END UP HAVING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO PART AVAILABLE, IN ORDER FOR A REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A CHASSIS OF THE SAME MODEL, OR GO TO A MACHINE SHOP AND SEE IF IT CAN BE MANUFACTURED. THERE WAS NO SIGN BEFORE IT HAPPEN, AT THE MOMENT IT HAPPEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BEING BLOWN UP AND IT MAY FEELS LIKE SUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359391

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

178,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. THERE WAS ALSO AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. THERE WAS ALSO AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY DEBRIS AND SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED ITSELF. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND RECOMMENDED A FUEL INJECTION SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.

NHTSA ODI #10347255

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