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Research · Large Cars

2005 Mercury MontegoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 135 owner complaints for the 2005 Mercury Montego. Most complaints involve power train (49) and electrical system (27). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2006
Owner complaints
135
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Oct 5, 2006NHTSA 06V383000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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).

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 9, 2005NHTSA 05V515000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

135 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2005 – Jan 2025
  1. Power train49
  2. Electrical system27
  3. Vehicle speed control24
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  5. Structure10
  6. Engine10
  7. Engine and engine cooling7
  8. Fuel system, gasoline6
  9. Air bags5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Montego model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005135
200685
200736
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

49 reports3 crashes
“I OWN A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD ILLUMINATE AND DROP TO ZERO AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATORS WOULD ILLUMINATE AND CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2020Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11377774

Electrical system

27 reports1 crash2 fires
“THE CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD AND DECELERATING RANDOMLY. KEEPS GOING INTO "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THEN RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE LIGHT ON LONG ENOUGH TO GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STARTING OCCASIONALLY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2018Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11084766

Vehicle speed control

24 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE RPMS ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2018Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11123851
All 2005 Montego problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Montego FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950423
Montego FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Montego AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • Montego FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Montego FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Montego AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mercury Montego as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1420
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Montego questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Mercury Montego have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Mercury Montego problems?

Owners filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (49), electrical system (27), vehicle speed control (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Mercury Montego get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mercury Montego at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026