2005 Mercury Montego
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Montego › 2005
These records cover every 2005 Mercury Montego. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2005 Mercury Montego. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both fuel tank straps. the recall began on december 1, 2005. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Owner complaints
135 complaints10 involved a crash2 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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…
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.
- 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…
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.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting · 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
- 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.
- Engine
Engine safe mode
- 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…
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.
- 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
- 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.
- Air bags · 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…
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.
- Electrical system · Fuel/propulsion system · 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.
- 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…
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.
- 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.
- 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…
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.
- Structure › Body
Front door latch freezes open all the time in cold weather. I'm afraid it opens while driving
- 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…
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.
- 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…
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?
- 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.
- 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.
- Electrical system · 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…
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.
- Electrical system · 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…
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.
- Unknown or other
My car dies all the time. I was told it was the throttle body. It also has a picture of a wrench and when the car dies it says fail safe mode. It only dies while driving. It doesnt matter what speed either.
- Fuel/propulsion system · Power train · Steering
My 2005 mercury montego shuts off while going down the road. I have paid around $4000 to try and have the problem fixed and it has never stopped. The reverse gear IS unusable, as soon as you put it in reverse it shuts the car off. the transmission jerks and will not steadily accelerate at random…
My 2005 mercury montego shuts off while going down the road. I have paid around $4000 to try and have the problem fixed and it has never stopped. The reverse gear IS unusable, as soon as you put it in reverse it shuts the car off. the transmission jerks and will not steadily accelerate at random times. the car will randomly shut off when going down the road losing all power steering and power braking ability. this IS particularly a problem considering I have an infant in the backseat most every trip. I saw this lawsuit and every single thing listed about the cvt transmissions has happened and IS still happening to my 2005 montego.
- Unknown or other
Recall #06v383000 latches/locks/linkages "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." IS listed as having been completed, yet the issue IS still present. Last night, rear door was frozen shut…
Recall #06v383000 latches/locks/linkages "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." IS listed as having been completed, yet the issue IS still present. Last night, rear door was frozen shut due to water seepage. Today, driver's side door did not latch properly and opened while I was driving the vehicle. I called ford and they informed me they are no longer responsible for this. Obviously, the recall was performed improperly, if at all. I am concerned that the additional recall listed (nhtsa campaign number: 05v515000) may not have been performed properly as well, as both recalls were (supposedly) fixed at the same location.
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2005 mercury montego. While driving 15 mph around a corner, the vehicle jerked and the check engine and fail safe mode warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control unit failed and needed to be replaced.…
TL* the contact owns a 2005 mercury montego. While driving 15 mph around a corner, the vehicle jerked and the check engine and fail safe mode warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- Electrical system
Dash board gauges and controls. When driving our 2005 montego all of the dash instruments and gauges will go out, and you loose some power, the rear lights go on. This can happen at any moment when the vehicle IS in motion, on the interstate, slow speeds. to replace IS quite expensive, but in…
Dash board gauges and controls. When driving our 2005 montego all of the dash instruments and gauges will go out, and you loose some power, the rear lights go on. This can happen at any moment when the vehicle IS in motion, on the interstate, slow speeds. to replace IS quite expensive, but in doing some research I have come across thousands of complaints on the same issue, and it's extremely scary and concerning that a safety recall has not been done. you can turn it off but doesn't always reset and when it does the engine light stays on. this occurs while the car IS in motion.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10109070The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
- 10051815Ford: see document search button for owner letter. Momentary engine idle rpm surge may be intermittent and may occur, due to deposits buildup in throttle body, at low speeds, while parking or entering driveway and check engine lamp may illuminate. Models 2005-07 freestyle, 500, montego.
- 10024829Traction control lamp on--no dtc's present, or dtc p1889 in differential electronic module (dem).
- 10023294Ford\mercury service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD ford five hundred, freestyle and mercury montego vehicles - rear brake wear. Also have an owner's letter. Updated 1/25/08.
- 10022294Transmission harsh shifting - no dtc's - mileage over 20,000 miles.
- 10022241Mil with dtc p0106 and/or p0109.
- 10021463Rear brake drag, noise, dust, and/or premature pad wear.
- 10021444Mil on with dtc p0191 - fuel rail pressure sensor circuit performance.
- 10021220Transmission shifter binding / high effort bezel replacement.
- 10021061Battery light illuminated.
- 10021037Intermittent instrument cluster operation - including gauges sweep/reset - multiple warning lights illuminated and/or reverse lights stay on. This applies to vehicles built before 02-17-06.
- 10021036Fuel gauge erratic/inaccurate and/or mil on with dtc p0463, b1202, b2627, b2879, and/or p2068.
- 10020134Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis.
- 10019951Intermittent instrument cluster gauge sweep/reset - multiple warning lights on - reverse lights on - vehicles built before 2/17/2006.
- 10019914Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10019811Intermittent bounce-back of the driver's window during one touch up operation.
- 10019807Tenths digit not displayed on odometer after 10,000 miles/kilometers.
- 10019793Noise in right front of passenger compartment - air inlet door actuator inoperative (recirculation).
- 10019068Grunt or squeak from front suspension during full lock turns - service tip.
- 10019027Noise from rear suspension - cold only.
- 10018933Harsh/erratic/slow downshifts or tip-in hesitation -- 6 speed automatic transaxle -- vehicles built before 10/17/2005.
- 10018745Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018737Noise from front while turning steering wheel.
- 10018076Special field action 05l25 - output shaft speed (oss) sensor; turbine shaft speed (tss) sensor; transmission fluid temperature (tot) sensor were inadvertently omitted from the california long-term defects warranty parts table.
- 10018066Engine rpm fluctuation at highway cruising speeds - vehicles built prior to 8/2/2005.
- 10017862Vehicles with a cvt transaxle, may exhibit a fluid leak from the transaxle oil pan area.
- 10017804Trunk lid hard to close.
- 10014682Intermittent headlamp flicker with no key in the ignition - vehicles built before 2/21/2005.
- 10014670Incorrect compass information in owners guide and work shop manual.
- 10014669Squeak from rear of vehicle when driving over bumps.
- 10014650Thumping noise or roughness from rear brakes.
- 10014624Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10014623Squeak from rear of vehicle when driving over bumps.
- 10014601Audio unit backlight inoperative and or dtc b2477.
- 10014310Weld bonding procedure.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10013317Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10013304Harsh or erratic upshifts/downshifts - wrench lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2544 - vehicles built before 1/7/2005 and equipped with the (awf21) 6 speed transaxle.
Every Mercury Montego model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.