2005 Mercury Monterey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Mercury Monterey has the highest complaint index (100) of the three model years with data, ranking worst among them. Transmission & powertrain issues dominate, making up 82% of its 119 complaints, with failures reported at a median of 70,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Monterey years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 119
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2005 Mercury Monterey problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain97 (82%)
- Structure & Body10 (8%)
- Engine8 (7%)
- Electrical System6 (5%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (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.
What owners report
- Transmission suddenly loses power or drops into what feels like neutral while driving, sometimes at highway speed with no warning.
- Owners report the vehicle requiring full transmission replacement after sudden failure.
- A gas tank was reported leaking fuel with a strong smell, despite the fuel gauge showing no change, at very low mileage.
- The electrical system falsely indicated the rear sliding door was open when it was closed, accompanied by repeated beeping.
- A passenger-side axle failed twice at low mileage, with the vehicle towed for repeat repairs.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a rollover crash at 110,000 miles, resulting in injuries.
2005 Mercury Monterey recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V081000Mar 7, 2013Structure & Body196,667 vehicles
Seats
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 12V006000Jan 9, 2012Transmission & Powertrain206,452 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2005 ford freestar and mercury monterey vehicles. The torque converter output shaft may fail.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 06V069000Mar 9, 2006Structure & Body12,728 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
On certain vans equipped with the power liftgate option, the power liftgate motor automatically disengages after the liftgate is powered open.
Risk: 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.
2005 Mercury Monterey fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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 Monterey years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Mercury Monterey reliable?
- Among the three Monterey model years with data, 2005 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst, driven mainly by transmission problems that make up 82% of its complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Mercury Monterey?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 97 of 119 complaints (82%), with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles, including sudden loss of drive.
- Does the 2005 Mercury Monterey have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls: a torque converter output shaft failure, third-row seat latch brackets, and a power liftgate motor issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2005 Monterey compare to the 2006 and 2007 models?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100 versus 50 for 2006 and 0 for 2007, and it also logged more complaints (119) than 2006 (44) and 2007 (7).