VehicleVerdict

2004 Mercury Monterey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 346 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 49.4 times the median Monterey year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 8 Monterey years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 62% of all reports (214 of 346), far ahead of body & structure at 19.

346

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

7

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Monterey years?

Monterey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted346 complaints1968: 2 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints2004: 346 complaints2005: 136 complaints2006: 54 complaints2007: 12 complaints
Monterey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Monterey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Mercury Monterey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission21462%
Body & Structure195%
Seats165%
Electrical System154%
Engine144%
Speed Control113%
Fuel System103%
Tires & Wheels93%
Steering82%
Brakes82%
Other62%
Suspension62%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seat Belts21%
Latches & Locks21%
Lighting21%
Airbags10%

Does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have recalls?

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

13V081000SeatsMarch 7, 2013 · 196,667 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

Consequence

In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

12V006000TransmissionJanuary 9, 2012 · 206,452 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

04V446000Tires & WheelsSeptember 13, 2004 · 34,013 units

Defect

CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.

Consequence

IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

03V457000SteeringNovember 6, 2003 · 23,996 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD 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.

“MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS IN MY MERCURY MONTEREY WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LEAVING . SHE TURNED THE KEY 1 SPOT ON THE IGNITION AND PULLED ON THE GEAR SELECTOR. MY VAN WITH MY CHILD ROLLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. HITTING 2 MAIL BOXES AND A CABLE ROUTER BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 14, 2007 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR UN UNRELATED ISSUE, HE WAS INFORMED THT THE SUB FRAME ENGINE CRADLE WAS SUFFERING FROM MASSIVE RUST AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 25, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE REAR WHEEL WELL THAT SECURED THE REAR SEAT WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND BROKE AWAY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THEY OFFERED NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · July 4, 2011

“SPOUSE [XXX] WAS DRIVING THE FAMILY AND ME OUT TO DINNER ON MAY 9, 2014 FOR MOTHER'S DAY.THE GAS TANK WAS ON ONE-FOURTH A TANK SO BEFORE ON TO THE EXPRESSWAY WE STOP TO GET SOME GAS. [XXX] MADE A STATEMENT HE SAID, "HE SAID THE GAS HAND STILL HASN'T MOVED MUCH AFTER WE PUT $40.00 TOGETHER OF GAS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 9, 2014 · fire

“2004 MERCURY MONTEREY CAUGHT A FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE STARTED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD AND WANTS AN EXPLANATION WHY. *NJ THE CONSUMER FIRST THOUGHT THAT A LIQUID HAD BEEN POURED OVER THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH FUEL UNDER PRESSURE TO EXPLODED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 22, 2007 · fire

2004 Mercury Monterey — common questions

Is the 2004 Mercury Monterey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 346 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 8 Monterey years. It is one of the Monterey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Monterey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (214 complaints), body & structure (19 complaints), seats (16 complaints).

Does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Mercury Monterey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Mercury Monterey under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Monterey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Monterey years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among Monterey years belongs to 1974.

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.