VehicleVerdict

2005 Mercury Monterey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 136 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 19.4 times the median Monterey year — the 2005 model ranks #2 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 72% of all reports (98 of 136), far ahead of body & structure at 8.

136

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Monterey years?

Monterey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted346 complaints1968: 2 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints2004: 346 complaints2005: 136 complaints2006: 54 complaints2007: 12 complaints
Monterey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Monterey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Mercury Monterey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission9872%
Body & Structure86%
Electrical System75%
Engine75%
Airbags43%
Other32%
Seats32%
Brakes32%
Speed Control11%
Fuel System11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2005 Mercury Monterey have recalls?

4 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.

06V069000Body & StructureMarch 9, 2006 · 12,728 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE STRUT MALFUNCTION, THE LIFTGATE CAN FALL FREELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ANYONE STANDING BENEATH THE LIFTGATE MAY BE INJURED IF THE LIFTGATE FALLS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND STALLED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2009

“MY SON AND I WERE PUTTING GROCERIES IN THE BACK OF THE VAN AND THE TAILGATE FELL ON HIS HEAD. THE AUTOMATIC LIFT WOULDN'T LIFT UP. MY SON HAD TO PHYSICALLY LIFT IT UP. I CALLED THE COMPANY (MERCURY) AND REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED AND THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND HE WAS SORRY THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 9, 2014

“STALL ENGINE WITH NO POWER FOR FORWARD OR REVERSE. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR MORE THAN COUPLE SECONDS. MULTIPLE ABS AND DRIVE CODES BASED ON THE EEC TEST. REPAIR SHOP INSPECTS THE VEHICLE AND FOUND WATER INTRUSION TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 9, 2012

“MULTIPLE TIMES LOSS OF POWER AND ABILITY TO DRIVE. RPM'S JUMPED ALL OVER AND VEHICLE WOULD STALL OR NOT START AT ALL. IN AND OUT OF SHOP OVER 2 MONTHS LEAVING ME WITHOUT A VEHICLE OR DRIVING A LOANER CAR. FINALLY REPLACED PCM AND WIRING HARNESS. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 21, 2013

“TAKATA RECALL. TRAVELING ON ROAD APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. TRIED RO AVOID HITTING SOME DEER WHO SUDDENLY RAN OUT FROM THE WOODS IN FRONT IF MY VAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DEFLATED AFTER IT HIT THE DITCH. THEN THE VAN SWERVED INTO THE DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. FRONT WINDSHIELD CAME OUT BACK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 19, 2018 · crash

2005 Mercury Monterey — common questions

Is the 2005 Mercury Monterey reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 136 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 8 Monterey years. It is one of the Monterey years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Monterey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (98 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 2005 Mercury Monterey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Mercury Monterey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Mercury Monterey under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 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.