IllustrationWRENCH LIGHT COMES ON, CAR SPITS AND SPUTTERS AND DIES. AFTER RESTARTITBE CAR, LIGHT IS OFF. HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK. CAR WILL NOT DRIVE WITHOUT RESTART.
2006 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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Montego years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1425–50K
1450–75K
1575–100K
12100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 16 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine complaints
18 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH UP AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE JERKED. AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH UP AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE JERKED. AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
WHEN ACCELERATING SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHIFT OUT OF GEAR, MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND VIOLENTLY THRUST FORWARD AND THEN BACK. IT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A HIGHWAY. IT IS VERY SCARY FEELING. IT IS A SUDDEN JOLT. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE REPAIRMAN SAID HAS SEEN A LOT OF THE HAR…
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WHEN ACCELERATING SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHIFT OUT OF GEAR, MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND VIOLENTLY THRUST FORWARD AND THEN BACK. IT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO A HIGHWAY. IT IS VERY SCARY FEELING. IT IS A SUDDEN JOLT. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THE REPAIRMAN SAID HAS SEEN A LOT OF THE HARSH SHIFTING FAILURE WITH THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE MONTEGO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND SHUT OFF. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND SHUT OFF. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILURE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CODE WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
WHEN I STARTED ACCELERATING IT WOULD STUDDER WHEN RPMS WENT UP AND THEN BASICALLY WOULDN'T LET ME GO OVER 50. I TOOK IT INTO CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID MY THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THIS WAS A RECENT RECALL. HAVE I MISSED OUT ON THIS OR WHAT? I NEED SOME ANSWERS PLEASE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,942.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,803.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND TOP MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND TOP MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 10/07/14*LJ UPDATED 05/12/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1PE11018 · 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