VehicleVerdict

2006 Mercury Milan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2006 Mercury Milan is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 250 owner complaints run below the Milan median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 51% of all reports (127 of 250), far ahead of body & structure at 24.

250

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Milan years?

Milan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted1,430 complaints2006: 250 complaints2007: 505 complaints2008: 522 complaints2009: 251 complaints2010: 1,430 complaints2011: 258 complaints
Milan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Milan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Mercury Milan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags12751%
Body & Structure2410%
Transmission218%
Brakes166%
Speed Control104%
Engine104%
Other83%
Electrical System83%
Latches & Locks83%
Fuel System62%
Tires & Wheels31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Steering31%
Suspension10%
Lighting10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2006 Mercury Milan have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V158000AirbagsMarch 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

19V904000BrakesDecember 18, 2019 · 600,166 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Consequence

If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

17V024000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 654,695 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

16V384000AirbagsMay 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

14E028000OtherMay 29, 2014 · 82,579 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.

Consequence

The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 13, 2016 · crash

MY CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH CARS WERE GETTING READY TO ENTER THE MAIN ROAD FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS STARTING TO PROCEED AND WE HAD TO STOP AND WAIT FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT DID NOT STOP BEFORE I HIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 17, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FROM 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION KNOCKED AND SLIPPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED A DEFECT VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 18, 2012

MY CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH CARS WERE GETTING READY TO ENTER THE MAIN ROAD FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS STARTING TO PROCEED AND WE HAD TO STOP AND WAIT FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT DID NOT STOP BEFORE I HIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 17, 2019 · crash

CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. TRIED TO START VEHICLE, BATTERY FAILED AND UNABLE TO RECHARGE. REMOVED FAILED BATTERY REPLACED WITH NEW BATTERY, STARTED CAR AND WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE, DRIVES 5 MILES PER HOUR. ONLINE CHATS SPEAK OF FAILED THROTTLE BODY, ONE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 12, 2017

2006 Mercury Milan — common questions

Is the 2006 Mercury Milan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 250 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Milan year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2006 Milan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (127 complaints), body & structure (24 complaints), transmission (21 complaints).

Does the 2006 Mercury Milan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Mercury Milan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Mercury Milan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Milan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Milan years to avoid are 2010. The cleanest record among Milan years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.