The 2005 Mercury Montego has 2 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (49 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints135filed by owners
Crashes · fires10 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
NHTSA recall 06V383000 · Oct 5, 2006 · 139,537 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
NHTSA recall 05V515000 · Nov 9, 2005 · 123,206 vehicles
Problem: 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).
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2005 Mercury Montego 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Montego FWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Montego FWD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Montego AWD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
49
3
0
2
57,927 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Starter assembly
29
1
2
0
82,500 mi
Vehicle speed control
24
2
0
0
83,155 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
19
1
0
0
24,000 mi
Structure Body; Frame and members
10
1
0
1
70,000 mi
Engine
10
0
0
0
106,242 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
7
0
0
0
41,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
6
0
0
0
53,018 mi
Unknown or other
6
0
0
0
83,000 mi
Air bags Frontal
5
3
0
3
89,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5
0
0
0
109,121 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 2, 2024Structure › Body This vehicle had a recall performed on it. In the recall, it states that the door does not latch properly in colder weather. Vehicle has been brought to the dealership. They have stated that they have performed the recall service. But when the car is driven, the door still does not latch which causes a safety issue because it will open randomly. This has been brought to Fordâs attention and they have not been able to help with a solution.
Jan 25, 2021 · 180,000 milesLatches/locks/linkages TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR REMAINED OPEN WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF THE NORMAL FUNCTIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL DUE TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR AJAR MESSAGE OVERLAYING ALL OTHER SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Nov 28, 2020 · 5 milesElectrical system I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD ILLUMINATE AND DROP TO ZERO AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000
Aug 20, 2020 · 108,000 milesUnknown or other WHEN LOWERING THE ORIGINAL CAR'S MANUAL SCISSOR JACK IT GAVE OUT HALF WAY DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY SUDDENLY. THE THREADING ON THE POWER SCREW SEEM FINE BUT THE PIN THAT IT FEEDS THROUGH ON THE OTHER END LOOKS MANGLED (SEE PICTURES). WHEN THE JACK DROPPED IT SOUNDED LIKE THE POWER SCREW SLID. NO ONE WAS HARMED.
Aug 6, 2020 · 87,000 milesEngine ENGINE SAFE MODE
Jun 10, 2019 · 120,000 milesPower train THE LINKAGE THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL WHILE THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN IN PARK. MOREOVER. THE CAR WAS IN PARK BUT WOULDN'T START. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK PUT THE CAR ON THE FLAT BED, THE CAR TRIED TO ROLL OFF EVEN THOUGH THE CAR SHIFT LEVEL WAS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. AND THE KEY WASN'T IN THE IGNITION.. THE CAR WAS REPAID TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $800.00. IT HAD TO DO WITH SOME LINKAGE THAT RUNS UNDERNEATH THE BATTERY BOX. ALSO THE CAR WOULDN'T START.
Feb 11, 2019 · 147,000 milesWheels I PURCHASED BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA 225 55 R18 AND ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTER I'VE HAD THEM HAD BUBBLE SHOW IN FRONT TIRE TOOK IT BACK TO FIRESTONE THEY REPLACED IT AFTER REPLACING IT NOW IT'S BEEN A MONTH I HAVE ANOTHER BUBBLE IN THE SAME TIRE THAT THEY JUST REPLACED AND THEY ARE THE BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA EP422 TIRE SIZE 22555 R18
Dec 18, 2018 · 147,500 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE LATCHING MECHANISM DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,500.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE11018 · opened May 11, 2011 · closed Feb 7, 2013Idle instability 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…