The 2004 Mercury Monterey has 214 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 62% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.
214
Transmission complaints
62%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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…”
NHTSA has 214 complaints about the 2004 Mercury Monterey transmission — 62% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 12V006000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.