Which Mercury Monterey year should I avoid?

No year carries an explicit avoid verdict in this dataset, but 2005 stands out with a complaint index of 100 and 119 complaints, the highest of the three model years covered.

What is the most common problem with the Mercury Monterey?

Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 135 of 170 total complaints, or 79% across the 2005-2007 model years.

Is the 2007 Mercury Monterey reliable?

The 2007 model year has the lowest complaint index (0) and only 7 complaints, fewer than the 2005 (119 complaints) and 2006 (44 complaints) model years.

Are there recalls on the Mercury Monterey?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns total across the 2005-2007 Monterey, with 3 recalls on the 2005 model, 2 on the 2006 model, and 1 on the 2007 model.

At what mileage do Mercury Monterey problems typically show up?

Median mileage at failure was 72,813 miles for 2005, 81,000 miles for 2006, and 115,000 miles for 2007, based on NHTSA complaint data.

Mercury Monterey Best and Worst Years (2005–2007)

Mercury Monterey data covers 2005-2007 with 170 total complaints. The 2005 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and the most reports (119), driven largely by transmission and powertrain issues, which make up 79% of all complaints across the three years. The 2007 model year has the lowest complaint index (0) with only 7 complaints.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Model years: 3; 2005–2007
NHTSA complaints: 170
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

Monterey Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercury Monterey problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	100	119	2	3	Transmission & Powertrain	18	—
2006	No verdict	50	44	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	17	—
2007	No verdict	0	7	0	1	Engine	17	—

Most common Mercury Monterey problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Transmission & Powertrain135 (79%)
Engine18 (11%)
Structure & Body12 (7%)
Brakes9 (5%)
Electrical System9 (5%)
Other5 (3%)
Airbags4 (2%)
Fuel System3 (2%)
Steering1 (1%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Mercury Monterey year should I avoid?: No year carries an explicit avoid verdict in this dataset, but 2005 stands out with a complaint index of 100 and 119 complaints, the highest of the three model years covered.
What is the most common problem with the Mercury Monterey?: Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 135 of 170 total complaints, or 79% across the 2005-2007 model years.
Is the 2007 Mercury Monterey reliable?: The 2007 model year has the lowest complaint index (0) and only 7 complaints, fewer than the 2005 (119 complaints) and 2006 (44 complaints) model years.
Are there recalls on the Mercury Monterey?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns total across the 2005-2007 Monterey, with 3 recalls on the 2005 model, 2 on the 2006 model, and 1 on the 2007 model.
At what mileage do Mercury Monterey problems typically show up?: Median mileage at failure was 72,813 miles for 2005, 81,000 miles for 2006, and 115,000 miles for 2007, based on NHTSA complaint data.