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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2006 Mercury MontereyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. Most complaints involve power train (34) and service brakes, hydraulic (4). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2013
Owner complaints
44
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

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

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

StructureReported Mar 9, 2006NHTSA 06V069000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2008 – Nov 2020
  1. Power train34
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  3. Vehicle speed control3
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Traction control system2
  6. Engine and engine cooling2
  7. Engine1
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Seats1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
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

34 reports
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX. 30-35 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING SOUND, OCCURED AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD ANYMORE. I COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND THEN SHIFTED THE CAR INTO R,D, AND OD AND NOTHING ENGAGED... THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET...HAD IT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH MY TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY DIDNT SAY WHAT, ONLY THAT IS WAS GOING TO COST $2250 TO REPLACE IT.....HAD IT TOWED HOME..NOT REPAIRED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2020Power trainODI 11372494

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports
“I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES OR MILEAGES AT THE TIME, I'M SURE IT WAS OVER 36,000 MILES OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER. ACTUALLY THE FIRST TIME I MAY HAVE, AND THEY PROBABLY SAID "YOUR CAR DIDN'T THROW OUT A CODE" I'VE HEARD THAT MANY TIMES... ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS, POSSIBLY THREE, I HIT THE BRAKES *LIGHTLY* IN DRY WEATHER AND IT SETS OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL. ONE TIME I WAS RUSHING MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL AND I COULD NOT GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR, I WAS ON A HIGHWAY SO I COULD NOT SAFELY PULL OVER (THAT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAD HAPPENED SO I KNEW I NEEDED TO STOP AND SHUT THE CAR OFF TO "RESET" IT. I JUST CRIED ALL THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL). I BELIEVE IT WENT OFF WHEN I TAPPED THE BRAKES TO GET ONTO THE ONRAMP, I HAD A "YIELD". ANOTHER TIME I WAS ON A BUSY TWO-LANE ROAD WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BECAUSE I WAS FREAKED OUT. I COULD NOT GO THE MINIMUM SPEED ON THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT PULL OVER (NO SHOULDER). AT THE STOP LIGHT I DID EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. I TRIED SHIFTING INTO PARK, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. I THINK I MADE IT TO THE NEXT LIGHT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2013Service brakes, hydraulic, Traction control systemODI 10551133

Vehicle speed control

3 reports
“TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ITS RACING ALSO THE CRUSE CONTROL SPEED UP MORE THAN IT SHOULD MY FAMILY AND ARE NOT SAFE WHEN GOING ON A LONG ROAD TRIP HOW WOULD YOU FEEL HAVING A BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE AND ON THE HIGH WAY BECAUSE OF THE BAD TRANSMISSION YOU PUT IN THE VEHICLE PLEASE FIX IT PLEASE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2017Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 10995719
All 2006 Monterey 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

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 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
Monterey Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
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 2006 Mercury Monterey as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1765
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

2006 Monterey questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Mercury Monterey have?

3 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 2006 Mercury Monterey problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (34), service brakes, hydraulic (4), vehicle speed control (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Mercury Monterey get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercury Monterey at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026