2005 Mercury Montego Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Mercury Montego has the highest complaint index (100) of the three model years with data, ranking worst overall, with 135 complaints, 2 recalls, and transmission and powertrain issues topping the list at 36% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Montego years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 135
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2005 Mercury Montego problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain49 (36%)
- Engine35 (26%)
- Electrical System28 (21%)
- Brakes19 (14%)
- Structure & Body13 (10%)
- Fuel System12 (9%)
- Other7 (5%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
- Seat Belts2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission sputters, tries to downshift, then locks up during highway acceleration, causing a rapid slowdown and squealing tires.
- CVT transmission sticks when accelerating and sometimes drops into safety mode with no diagnostic codes found.
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and rear-impact crashes, resulting in injuries.
- Smoke and flame came from the outside mirror housing, tied to the fuse that also controls power seats.
- Brake pads wore out prematurely, leaving the rear brakes with no stopping power at low mileage.
- Wheel well caught fire and emitted smoke while driving, later traced to the ABS system.
2005 Mercury Montego recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V383000Oct 5, 2006Structure & Body139,537 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 05V515000Nov 9, 2005Fuel System123,206 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting
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).
Risk: 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.
2005 Mercury Montego fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Montego years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Mercury Montego reliable?
- Among the three Montego model years with data, 2005 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst, with 135 complaints led by transmission and powertrain problems.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercury Montego?
- Transmission and powertrain issues account for 36% of complaints (49 complaints), followed by engine problems at 26% and electrical system issues at 21%.
- Does the 2005 Mercury Montego have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Montego: one for fuel tank straps that can break and drop the fuel tank, and one covering a structure and body shield installation.
- At what mileage do 2005 Montego transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for transmission and powertrain complaints is 57,927.5 miles.
- How does the 2005 Montego compare to the 2006 and 2007 models?
- The 2005 Montego has a complaint index of 100, compared to 50 for 2006 and 0 for 2007, meaning 2005 has more reported problems relative to the other two years.