Research · Minivan - 2WD

2004 Mercury MontereyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 283 owner complaints for the 2004 Mercury Monterey. Most complaints involve power train (203) and structure (19). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2013
Owner complaints
283
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Seats

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Mar 7, 2013NHTSA 13V081000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Power trainReported Jan 9, 2012NHTSA 12V006000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

283 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2004 – Feb 2026
  1. Power train203
  2. Structure19
  3. Seats16
  4. Electrical system11
  5. Vehicle speed control11
  6. Steering8
  7. Engine7
  8. Engine and engine cooling7
  9. Wheels7

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 Monterey model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004283
2005119
200644
20077
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

203 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that while driving through a drive thru, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and was unable to shift into the intended gear. The automatic transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was contacted back in 2012 who confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train); however, parts were not available. The contact called that same dealer in 2015 who confirmed that parts were available for the recall repair however, there was no available appointment and advised the contact to bring in the vehicle to be repaired only if a failure was experienced. The vehicle was not repaired. After the most recent failure, the contact called the same dealer and was informed that the system was indicating that the recall repair was completed; however, the vehicle was never scheduled for the recall repair. The contact confirmed that the recall repair was not performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2024Power trainODI 11586529

Structure

19 reports
“LOWER CONTROL BOLT THAT MOUNTED TO SUBFRAME RUSTED THREW FRAME . IF NOT CAUGHT ON TIME THE TIRE WOULD SEPERATE I TOOK THE VECHICLE TO A WEDLER FOR TEMPERARY REPAIR. BUT UNFORTANLEY THE DESIGN ON THE SUBFRAME HAS HOLES SO IT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER AND CAUSE FRAME TO RUST! ALERT WHEN BRAKING YOU MAY EXPERIENCE CLUNKING THAT IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT BROKEN. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE VECHICLE WITH PHYSICAL PROOF OF RUSTED FRAME IF NEEDED I CAN TAKE PICTURES WHEN THE TIME COMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2019StructureODI 11256944

Seats

16 reports
“CORROSION OF THIRD ROW SEAT ATTACHMENT. ON 23 JUNE 2016, REMOVED INTERIOR PANEL TO SERVICE AUXILIARY A/C UNIT AND DISCOVERED SEVERELY RUSTED AREA AROUND THE THIRD-ROW SEAT ATTACHMENT. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ARE RUSTED; THE LEFT SIDE IS MUCH WORSE THAN THE RIGHT SIDE AT THIS TIME. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE BODY SHOP; BOTH REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DUE TO POTENTIAL LIABILITY ISSUES. WAS REFERRED TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP SERVICE. THEY NOTED THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE - AND SINCE I AM NOT IN A "HIGH CORROSION" STATE, RECALL 13S01 DOES NOT APPLY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V081000). HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED AREAS. AM TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IF THE DEALER AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE BODY SHOP REFUSE TO APPROACH IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2016Structure, SeatsODI 10876443
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-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 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Monterey Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 2004 Mercury Monterey as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1127
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

2004 Monterey questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2004 Mercury Monterey problems?

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (203), structure (19), seats (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Mercury Monterey get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mercury Monterey at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026