FaultScore

FaultScore report

2005 Mercury Montego problems

Owners have filed 190 complaints about the 2005 Mercury Montego with NHTSA between 2005 and 2025. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 worst.

D

FaultScore 63/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercury Montego.

How this is worked out

The numbers

190

Complaints

12

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries reported

69,589 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

19%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 80 vs 50 Severity 54 vs 50 Early failure 33 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 80
Against the median year of the Mercury Montego. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 33
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2005 compares with every other Mercury Montego

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 Mercury Montego

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,927 mi

1 crashes, 2 fires · median 82,500 mi

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 83,155 mi

Brakes 21 11.1%

2 crashes, 1 fires · median 24,000 mi

Median failure at 88,000 miles

Median failure at 68,625 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 6 3.2%

Median failure at 83,000 miles

Airbags 5 2.6%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 89,000 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 3 1.6%

Median failure at 147,500 miles

Lights 3 1.6%

Median failure at 71,348 miles

Seat Belts 2 1.1%

Median failure at 48,935 miles

Wheels 2 1.1%

Median failure at 96,500 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 1.1%
Equipment & Accessories 1 0.5%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 0.5%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

Tires 1 0.5%

Median failure at 23,000 miles

Suspension 1 0.5%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

Steering 1 0.5%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 23 47.9%
Body 8 16.7%
Pads 6 12.5%
Rotor 3 6.3%
Engine 3 6.3%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 2 4.2%
Caliper 2 4.2%
Front 1 2.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 8 4.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 2.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 14 8.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 21 12.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 44 25.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 33 19.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 35 20.3%
150,000+ miles 13 7.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 2005 peak 6 Jan 2025

NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Mercury Montego

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE11018 Opened 11 May 2011 Closed 7 Feb 2013 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Idle 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...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 150,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11123851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11123851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Macomb, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES MY CAR HAD A WHINING NOISE AND ACCELERATED NOT RESPONDING TO MY EFFORTS TO STOP.I AVOIDED THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND ALSO TO THE RIGHT OF ME BY MOVING TO THE TURNING LANE TO STOP MYSELF FROM HITTING ANYONE ELSE. HOWEVER TO POSSIBLY AVOID ANOTHER ACCIDENT, I CROSSED OVER TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC LANES ON ORDER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS STILL INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10895433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 270,000 miles Bowling Green, KY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND FAILED SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUSH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

NHTSA complaint #10876809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 270,000 miles Bowling Green, KY Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND FAILED SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUSH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

NHTSA complaint #10876809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Spearfish, SD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS IN FLAMES AND THE WHEEL WELL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10724100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Carthage, NY

STRUCTURE: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 Ford’s attention and they have not been able to help with a solution.

NHTSA complaint #11637100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Prescott Valley, AZ

LATCHES/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.

NHTSA complaint #11403735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5 miles Adtian, MI

POWER TRAIN

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

NHTSA complaint #11377774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5 miles Adtian, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #11377774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5 miles Adtian, MI

ELECTRICAL 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

NHTSA complaint #11377774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Burleson, TX

UNKNOWN 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.

NHTSA complaint #11350570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Memphis, TN

ENGINE

ENGINE SAFE MODE

NHTSA complaint #11343871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Desoto, TX

POWER 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.

NHTSA complaint #11297286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Burlington, NJ

WHEELS

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

NHTSA complaint #11180209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,500 miles Westmoreland, NH

LATCHES/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.

NHTSA complaint #11162263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11123851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11123851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Monroe, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD AND DECELERATING RANDOMLY. KEEPS GOING INTO "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON LONG ENOUGH TO GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING OCCASIONALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11084766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Monroe, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD AND DECELERATING RANDOMLY. KEEPS GOING INTO "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON LONG ENOUGH TO GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING OCCASIONALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11084766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Monroe, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD AND DECELERATING RANDOMLY. KEEPS GOING INTO "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON LONG ENOUGH TO GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING OCCASIONALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11084766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,707 miles Binghamton, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

LATCHES/LOCKS RECALL RECALL #06V383000 FORD REFERENCE #06S45 THE LATCH ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS FREEZING, KEEPING THE DOOR FROM STAYING CLOSED. IT HAS ALREADY BOUNCED OPEN ONCE WHILE I WAS IN MOTION ON NY STATE ROUTE 434. I ALSO HAVE SPENT A GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO SHUT MY DOOR FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY TRIP ONCE I AM PARKED. EVEN SO, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SHUT MY DOOR FOR THE PAST DAY. WHEN I FOUND THIS RECALL AND CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY STATED THAT I WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND THAT IT DOESN'T EVEN SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM. I'M NOT HERE TO COMPLAIN, I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHUT MY CARD DOOR SO I CAN DRIVE IT SAFELY. I'M TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO KEEP THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS DOWN ABOUT AN INCH AND WRAP A BUNGEE CORD AROUND THE DOORS TO KEEP MY DRIVER DOOR SHUT.

NHTSA complaint #11063432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Rochester, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE 65 OR ABOVE. AND WILL NOT STOP UNLESS BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE.

NHTSA complaint #10979920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 69,179 miles Caribou, ME

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY SIDE DOOR LATCHES FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED, AND COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS WAS A WELL KNOW SAFETY ISSUE BY FORD. MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE RECALL DATA BASE SO THE REPAIR COST IS BEING PUSHED TO ME. THE CAR CERTAINLY HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL FOR THAT MODEL AND YEAR... I SMELL A RAT... DO YOU? THE RECALL WAS MADE TO BE STATE SENSITIVE TO STATES THAT EXPERIENCE FREEZING WEATHER. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO IS REGISTERED IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA SO AS TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THEN ENDS UP IN NORTHERN MAINE? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS... A LITTLE CHILD IN NORTHERN MAINE ASLEEP AGAINST THE DOOR SUDDENLY FALLS OUT OF THE CAR AT 55 MILES AN HOUR AND GETS RUN OVER BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC! THESE CARS ARE VERY HARDY AND I SUSPECT THERE ARE MANY OF THEM STILL ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE REALLY MISSED THE BOAT ON THIS ONE.

NHTSA complaint #10972303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Caribou, ME

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT DOOR LATCH FREEZES OPEN ALL THE TIME IN COLD WEATHER. I'M AFRAID IT OPENS WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #10948087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Olathe, KS

STRUCTURE:BODY

IN FREEZING WEATHER, DOOR LATCHES WILL NOT LATCH AND THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS LEFT OUTSIDE AND IS NOT "FIXED" UNTIL THE DOOR MECHANISMS WARM UP FROM BEING IN THE SUN. DUE TO THIS ISSUE WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DOORS LATCH AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL (#06S45), BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED AND WOULD LIKE TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT THE REST OF WINTER.

NHTSA complaint #10936037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

POWER TRAIN

WITH ONLY 70,000 ON THE TRANSMISSION IT BEGAN TO HESITATE WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AND BUCK WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP. THIS BECAME HAZARDOUS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO COME OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY STREET AND THE FORWARD PROPULSION WOULD HESITATE CLOSING THE SAFE GAP BETWEEN ONCOMING CARS AND MYSELF. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 MERCURY VEHICLES BOTH IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND THE 6-SPEED. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS SINCE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY FIRST MONTEGO PASSED THE LEMON LAW WITH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT. NOW THE SECOND MONTEGO IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE INCONSISTENCY IN ACCELERATION. AND THE BUCKING AND THUMPING WHEN BRAKING IS SEVERE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OF US HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET FORD, MERCURY TO RECTIFY THIS KNOWN ISSUE?

NHTSA complaint #10916257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Republic, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO ALL THE DASH INDICATORS TURNED ON. THEY WENT OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. IT WOULD BE A $700.00 PLUS COST TO FIX IT. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON SUCH A SITUATION. I HAVE TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING IF THERE IS TROUBLE WITH THE LIGHTS ON FULL TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10915332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Macomb, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES MY CAR HAD A WHINING NOISE AND ACCELERATED NOT RESPONDING TO MY EFFORTS TO STOP.I AVOIDED THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND ALSO TO THE RIGHT OF ME BY MOVING TO THE TURNING LANE TO STOP MYSELF FROM HITTING ANYONE ELSE. HOWEVER TO POSSIBLY AVOID ANOTHER ACCIDENT, I CROSSED OVER TO THE OTHER TRAFFIC LANES ON ORDER TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS STILL INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10895433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Waterloo, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN CAR WAS RELEASED AND STILL NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #10882183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,000 miles Waterloo, IL

ENGINE

CAR RUNS GREAT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES THEN I GET A SURGE IN THE ENGINE, DASH CLUSTER GOES DEAD, CAR JERKS AND I LOSE POWER RANDOMLY. EVERYTHING COMES BACK ON BUT WILL GO OUT MULTIPLE TIMES GETTING WORSE EVERYTIME. I HAVE LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION ONCE, NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. REPLACED THE DASH CLUSTER AND CAR RAN GREAT FOR 2 DAYS THEN STARTED ALL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY WHILE IN THE CITY, HASN'T HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY YET THANK GOODNESS. CAR JUST SITS IN DRIVEWAY, AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I SEE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHEN CAR WAS RELEASED AND STILL NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA complaint #10882183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.