VehicleVerdict

2005 Mercury Montego problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 190 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 380.0 times the median Montego year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 10 Montego years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 49 reports (26% of the total).

190

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Montego years?

Montego NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted190 complaints1970: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 1 complaints1976: 0 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 190 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 44 complaints
Montego NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Montego years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mercury Montego problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4926%
Electrical System3016%
Speed Control2413%
Brakes2111%
Engine179%
Fuel System126%
Body & Structure105%
Other74%
Airbags53%
Lighting32%
Latches & Locks32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%
Suspension11%
Steering11%

Does the 2005 Mercury Montego have recalls?

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

06V383000Latches & LocksOctober 5, 2006 · 139,537 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

05V515000Fuel SystemNovember 9, 2005 · 123,206 units

Defect

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).

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SPUTTERED AND THEN TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT BUT INSTEAD LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE CARS FRONT TIRES TO SQUEAL AND A RAPID SLOW DOWN. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ANYTIME I TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A VEHICLE. WITH CAREFUL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 14, 2008 · crash

“SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S OUTSIDE MIRROR, THE METAL WAS HOT, THEN SAW A SMALL FLAME, UNDER THE MIRROR, SO WE PULLED THE FUSE. A WEEK LATER WE PUT THE FUSE BACK IN & SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE MIRROR,AGAIN, SO WE PULLED THE FUSE & HAVE LEFT IT OUT. THIS FUSE ALSO CONTROLS THE POWER SEATS,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 19, 2005 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 23, 2018 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 8, 2016 · crash

“I JUST PULLED MY CAR OFF THE LOT NOT EVEN 10 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS JERKING THEN MY CAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE WORST BEING ON A ONE WAY AND MY NIECES NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD IN THE CAR MY CAR MADE A KIND OF A LOUD HUMMING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 18, 2013

2005 Mercury Montego — common questions

Is the 2005 Mercury Montego reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 190 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 10 Montego years. It is one of the Montego years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Montego problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (49 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), speed control (24 complaints).

Does the 2005 Mercury Montego have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Mercury Montego. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Mercury Montego under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Mercury Montego years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Montego years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007. The cleanest record among Montego years belongs to 1976.

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.