NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
85 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 26, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CAUSED IT TO BE REAR ENDED BY THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQ…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CAUSED IT TO BE REAR ENDED BY THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR AIR BAG FAILURE DETERMINATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11065037
11,700 miles · May 5, 2017
Power Train
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS. I STILL OWE MORE THAN ITS WORTH. MY 3RD TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT THIS MORNING! CVT TRANSMISSIONS ARE GARBAGE. I WAS QUOTED 6000 FOR ANOTHER USED TRANSMISSION. 4 TRANSMISSIONS IN 4 YEARS IS INSANE!
NHTSA ODI #10983631
186,000 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Power Train
MY CAR HAS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, I CALLED AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOUR 189,000 IS OVER 150,000 LIMIT TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS YET. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ISSUE. I DROVE TO MY SON'S ON MONDAY AND CAR LOSS POWER A TOTAL OF 14 TIMES IN A 2 HR DRIVE. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SE…
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MY CAR HAS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, I CALLED AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOUR 189,000 IS OVER 150,000 LIMIT TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS YET. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ISSUE. I DROVE TO MY SON'S ON MONDAY AND CAR LOSS POWER A TOTAL OF 14 TIMES IN A 2 HR DRIVE. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SEEMS TO ME FORD CARES MORE ABOUT THEIR BOTTOM LINE THEN THEIR CUSTOMERS LIVES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES, WITH THEM THINKING THIS IS THE ISSUE ONE BEING REPLACED YESTERDAY AFTER THE ONE BEFORE HAND ONLY BEEN ON THEIR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH. COME TO FIND OUT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THEIR ELECTRONIC THROTTLES ON VEHICLES FROM 2002 AND UP TO DATE. THIS IS VERY BAD BUSINESS AND I HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR DUE TO A ACCIDENT I WAS IN (NO FAULT TO MY OWN) AND I HAVE A PERMANENT DISABILITY OF A MESSED UP SCIATIC NERVE. I WAS TOLD NO ISSUE, BOY WAS I LIED TO. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND ASAP AFTER I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH IN REPAIRS ALREADY TO FIND OUT THAT WASN'T EVEN THE ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OVER THE NEGLIGENT OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM FORD ON WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT GOES INTO LOSS OF POWER. WHEN IN TRAFFIC, IT'S HARD TO GET OFF THE ROAD STATELY WHEN YOUR CAR LOOSES POWER.
NHTSA ODI #10889151
186,000 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Unknown Or Other
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ITEM. THIS IS BS AND FORD KNOWS THAT IT SHOULD BE. I HAVEN'T HAD MY CAR 3 YRS YET, PURCHASED PRE OWNED AND IT JUST HIT 10 YRS AND IS 186,000 MILES AND NEEDED TO BE UNDER 150,000 FOR THEM TO FIX. IT JUST STARTED DOING THIS AND I REPLACED ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES THINK THIS WA…
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ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ITEM. THIS IS BS AND FORD KNOWS THAT IT SHOULD BE. I HAVEN'T HAD MY CAR 3 YRS YET, PURCHASED PRE OWNED AND IT JUST HIT 10 YRS AND IS 186,000 MILES AND NEEDED TO BE UNDER 150,000 FOR THEM TO FIX. IT JUST STARTED DOING THIS AND I REPLACED ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES THINK THIS WAS THE ISSUE. FORD NEED TO STOP THINKING OF THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I PURCHASED THIS CARE AFTER I WAS IN A AWFUL CAR ACCIDENT (NO FAULT OF MY OWN) THAT LEFT ME WITH A MESSED UP SCIATIC NERVE FOR REST OF MY LIFE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS I WAS TOLD NO ISSUE OR RECALLS AND IT SERVED MY NEEDS. BOY WAS I LIED TO. I WAS ALMOST KILLED YESTERDAY DRIVING THIS CAR DUE TO THE POWER LOSS IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I NEED THIS REPAIRED ASAP AS THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10889012
50,900 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH 50900 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. COMPLETE REBUILD WAS NECESSARY FOR CAR TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, VALVE BODY, TWO COMPUTER MODULES. SHOP OWNER SAID HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AND FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL/CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA ODI #10876250
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WRENCH 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.
NHTSA ODI #10863448
120,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
EnginePower Train
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 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.
NHTSA ODI #10824043
63,512 miles · Aug 25, 2015
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #10759088
80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WA NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WA NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10725297
85,600 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Engine
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.
NHTSA ODI #10712049
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