2008 Mercury Milan

Do not drive

Owners filed 451 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

252 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 91,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags206
611
Service Brakes163
1204
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
000
Engine10
000
Vehicle Speed Control9
200
Power Train9
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Wheels3
000
Tires3
000
Structure › Body3
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V158000
Filed Mar 10, 20212,602,668 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module19V904000
Filed Dec 18, 2019600,166 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Risk. If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module17V024000Do not drive
Filed Jan 10, 2017654,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V384000Do not drive
Filed May 31, 20161,892,343 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Equipment14E028000
Filed May 29, 201482,579 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.

Risk. The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2025NJ

08 merc milan abs did not work and brakes failed almost causing major accidents. I used e brake to stop. Brakes went to floor. Been calling for and dealerships for recalls I find out now about abs malfunctioning noone will fix or get back to me. Leaking brake fluid all around abs module now. Dealerships saying they not fixing abs even on recalls. Ford dealership in East rutherford nj.

Engine
Filed Feb 7, 2025NJ

There is a problem with my tourqe converter with 100k miles. My car won't accelerate.

Tires
Filed Apr 25, 2024LA

P205/60R16

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 27, 2023WI

The ABS brake function checked out during the recall window on Nov. 2 of 2021. The Ford dealer mechanics purged the brake system with fresh fluid and tested the function. Tested OK. The car was used without issue until recently and now the brake pedal goes down nearly to the floor before the brakes engage. It is shocking at first and once used to that the driver will pump the pedal twice for a firm pedal. A recent visit to a Ford dealer to diagnose the issue revealed that the recall is closed and that there is nothing they can do unless I pay the approximately $1000 to replace the ABS Hydraulic module. My complaint is that Ford customer service wants me to pay for this and then submit the invoice to them for review. Wow, I'm not going to do that, since there is no guarantee of reimbursement. This is a KNOWN SAFETY problem that is not being addressed appropriately. I'm a mechanic. They could send me the part free of charge for a sane resolution. I'd eat the labor charge.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 5, 2023MN

The gas pedal gets stuck at the top when I go to press down on it allowing the car to keep driving when I am trying to stop the car.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 5, 2023MN

Brakes are failing even after they have been serviced. Unsafe car to drive

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2022TX

Was not able to drive my car because you had to press the breaks all the way to the ground in order for the vehicle to attempt to stop. A recall was issued for the hydraulic breaks in 2019 and no parts were available for almost a year. Car has been at the dealership being repaired since August 12, but now they are telling us that the hydraulic breaks issues has caused the break master cylinder to fail - leaving the car unsafe and undrivable but they are expecting us to pay for the replacement of the master cylinder when the dealership openly admitted this was directly caused because of the recall

Air Bags
Filed Jul 28, 2022AZ

In March 2021 I received important safety recall from Ford advising me that the Airbag inflator might explode in the event of a crash and may cause injury or death to the driver or passengers. My daughter still drives this car, why have they not followed up and replaced this part?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 6, 202297,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but went all the way to the floorboard and failed to respond. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she coasted the vehicle on a hill and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to three different independent mechanics who diagnosed that the braking system had failed. However, the failure was unrepairable. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which she associated with the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the remedy was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 29, 2022FL

I took the vehicle in earlier this year for the recall on the Brake system. They bled the brakes and said it was fine but now the brakes are just like they were before taking it in. I would assume that the HCU is bad but they did not want to change it out when they had it.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2022ND

RE: NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 Manufacturer Ford Motor Company Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Vehicle regarding complaint: 2008 Mercury Milan Vehicle Vin: [XXX] Good day, In September of 2021 I took the above mentioned vehicle in for the above stated recall regarding the Hydraulic control unit. The vehicle was taken to Westlie Motor Company 500 S Broadway Minot, ND 58701 (701) 852-1354. The vehicle was tested and did in fact fail the test and I was informed the replacement part would be ordered promptly. After two months of no calls from the dealership I stopped in and was told they had no idea about the part. I was assured it would be looked in to. The first week of December I was called and requested the vehicle be brought in for the recall service. I took the vehicle in December 6th and after two hours was notified service was finished. Upon driving home I immediately noticed the problem had not been fixed. I returned to the dealership upon inspecting the vehicle having noticed the NO obvious repairs had been done. Demanding explanation I was told that it was a miscommunication and recall work had not been done. Only a brake flush and cap replacement. I was then again told that they were not sure where the part was or when it would arrive. I then escalated a complaint to Ford motor company ( 1-866-631-3788) Case # [XXX]. I was assure Ford would call the company and inform me intermediately as to the situation and a solution. I received no call back and I again

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 25, 2022IL

For several years, my vehicle has had an issue with "extended brake pedal travel," making it more difficult to come to a stop with a reasonable effort, and increasing the likelihood of an accident. My vehicle has already been repaired for a prior recall regarding "extended brake pedal travel" (this "repair" did not fix this problem; in fact, it apparently passed the Ford-developed test, thus warranting no significant repair. My father is a Ford automotive technician and he was also surprised by this result. I suspect the Ford-developed "test" to determine whether there is indeed a problem was developed in Ford's favor and does not ensure the safety of the customer/driver.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 2022139,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that he had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V024000 (Air Bags) and had the vehicle serviced at a dealer. Despite the recall repair, the passenger’s and driver’s side air bag warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the ABS warning light was also illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had yet to experience a brake failure despite the warning light. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) and 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 1, 202168,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, while she was driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but felt soft and remained on the floorboard. The contact stated she continued to pump the brake pedal until it became firm. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the parts used for the recall repair had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 20, 202153,000 milesOH

The contact's mother owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where the recall repair was performed. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that the brake pedal again depressed to the floorboard without warning. The contact immediately took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic where he inspected the vehicle; however, the vehicle had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they informed her to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Aug 23, 2021163,188 milesIA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that the speedometer would intermittently fluctuate while driving at various speeds without warning. Despite the speedometer failure, the vehicle would resume normal driving operation. Recently, the contact stated that the failure would occur each time while operating the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure could be related to the speed sensor or the computer. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer who informed him that the failure could be related to a module inside the instrument cluster. The contact had also taken the vehicle to FleetSide Ford, LLC. (1120 Jeffreys Dr, Osceola, IA 50213) where they informed him that they had never heard of such failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that they had never heard of such a failure. No further assistance was provided. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 163,188

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 16, 2021KS

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 12, 2021169,000 milesMI

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving 15 mph and approaching a traffic light, when depressing the brake pedal to the floor but failed to stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he crashed into the curb and bent the front passenger side rim which blew out the tire causing the vehicle to be able to come to a stop. The contact stated the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated he sustained injuries on both knees and his chest. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contacts uncle towed the vehicle to the uncle's residence. The contact was able to replace both front driver and passenger tires, the front passenger side rim, and the motor mount. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact, later on, received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 21V158000 (AIR BAGS), however, the part to the recall was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000. VIN tool confirms part not available. Consumer stated vehicle has not been repaired. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2021TX

NHTSA Recall Number19V904 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON My VEHICLE, A VALVE IN THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MAY BE STUCK OPEN. Took it to the North Park Lincoln dealer on 23 Apr 2021 and they don't have the part for this recall. Said my inspection for this recall failed and they notified Ford. It's been over 60 days and I am still waiting on this part. My car is not safe to drive as my brakes are very low and its taking longer to slow the car down So my car is basically not being used for fear that the brakes might go out. No one seems to be able to gove me an answer as to when this recalled part will be in. I received the recall letter from Ford telliing me about this recall but letter also said the parts were available and that is why I took it to the dealer. Now Im being told still on backorder no idea when part will be received. This causes a problem for me if I can't really use this car because of the Safety Risk THIS MAY RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. There are no warning lights yet displayed.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 23, 2021MI

Frame Rail corrosion, noticed by dealer while having other recall service performed, they took photos since they hadn't seen this on a Milan, Fusion, or MKZ. I am now concerned with the car's safety.

20 of 451 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2011191920Do not drive
20101,0021310Do not drive
2009226710Do not drive
2008 — this page451511Do not drive
2007434550Do not drive
2006214500Do not drive

Compare every Milan year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 10, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.