2004 Mercury Monterey

Above average

Owners filed 283 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

272 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission128
110
Power Train54
000
Structure › Body12
000
Seats9
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter9
000
Steering8
010
Electrical System7
010
Vehicle Speed Control6
110
Engine5
010
Unknown or Other4
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats13V081000
Filed Mar 7, 2013196,667 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter12V006000
Filed Jan 9, 2012206,452 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E056000
Filed Jun 13, 200658,640 vehiclesUfi Filters Usa

Defect. 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.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Wheels › Hub04V446000
Filed Sep 13, 200434,013 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.

Risk. IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections03V457000
Filed Nov 6, 200323,996 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Risk. IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Feb 3, 2026361,749 milesGA

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Mercury Monterey. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 223,476 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 361,749.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 19, 2024CO

Reported on third seat on 2004 Mercury Monterrey premier van was recalled , also air bags was recalled and also on wheel of vehicle was recalled in which I want to see if I can take my vehicle and have it inspected and keep my vehicle on the list if any recall and Thank You .?

Power Train
Filed May 2, 2024104,000 milesMO

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2021184,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The driver manually shifted gears to slow the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the return spring part was no longer being produced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 10, 202093,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO NEWTON FORD SOUTH (2010 N MAIN ST, SHELBYVILLE, TN 37160) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 30, 2020180,000 milesPA

WELL I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS BUT AROUND AUGUST 2020 MY GRANDSON JUST GOT OUT OF KNEE SURGERY WE WAS DRIVING UP TO LIMESTONE NEW YORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND IT STOPPED MOVING SO I COSTED OFF THE ROAD WE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED SO WE SAT THERE AND THERE WAS ALOT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE SO A MAN STOPPED TOOK MY BOYFRIEND TO A STORE TO GET TRANSMISSION FLUID WHILE ME MY DAUGHTER N GRANDSON WAITED IN THE VEHICLE HE PUTS THE FLUID IN WE GOT IT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE THE FLUID JUST KEPT DRAINED OUT SO WE HAD TO SIT THERE AND WAIT FOR A RIDE AND A TOW WHICH THE PPL PICKED US UP AND BROUGHT US HOME THE NEXT DAY MY BF RENTED A CAR DOLLY AND WE RAN BACK UP TO GRAB AND TOW IT BACK TO MY PLACE AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING HERE EVER SINCE CAN SOMEONE HELP PLEASE I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT IT WAS DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 20, 2019126,000 milesWI

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.

Power Train
Filed May 28, 201992,650 milesMN

THURSDAY MAY 23 2019. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY VAN JUST CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VAN AND GET INTO A PARKING LOT. I SAT FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN. IT STARTED. BUT I HAD NO POWER TO GO FORWARD OR REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUST GONE. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAD HAPPENED. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT .. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. I HAD JUST PULLED FORWARD FROM WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT.

Power Train
Filed Jan 2, 2019100,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2018CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train
Filed Mar 14, 2018110,000 milesVA

I PURCHASED THE 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY VAN VIN [XXX] FROM GOOD FRIENDS, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND OUTPUTSHAFT FAILED, UPON TELLING MY FRIENDS ABOUT THIS THEY GAVE ME A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE PARTS, SO I CALL SHEEHY FORD IN RICHMOND VA, THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART......THEN I CALL RICHMOND FORD AND THEY TELL ME SHEEHY FORD PERFORMED THE RECALL...SO I CALL SHEEHY FORD AND TRY TO GET AN EXPLANATION, THEN THEY TELL ME IT WAS PERFORMED 18,000 MILES AGO, MY FRIENDS THAT SOLD ME THE VAN SAID THAT THE RECALL WAS NEVER PERFORMED, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS? IT SOUNDS TO ME THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO PERFORM THE WORK TO FIX THE RECALLED PARTS, THERE MUST BE PAPERWORK WHERE THE WORK WAS COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF ON....AND ACCORDING TO FORD ONLY 18,000 MILES AGO, THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT 92,000 MILES, THE VAN CURRENTLY HAS 110,000 MILES...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME? THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2018127,320 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING ABILITY BECAME VERY HARD. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWENTY DAYS AGO AND WORSENED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,320. THE VIN WAS INVALID. CONTACT REPORTS THAT STEERING BALLJOINT WAS HEAVILY AND CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT

Power Train
Filed Jan 30, 2018125,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING BUT REV, W/OUT ANY ACCELERATION. I TOWED IT TO MY HOUSE AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE GEARS. MY PROBLEM IS A FORD RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ON MY VEHICLE, WHAT CAN I DO?

Power Train
Filed Jan 22, 2018144,600 milesMA

AS OF TODAY, JANUARY 22, 2018, I HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AS YESTERDAY, JANUARY 21, 2018, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. PRAISE GOD WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT UNTIL THE WRECKER CAME. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS AND REPEAT INCIDENTS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY TORQUE CONVERTERS. THE SHOP I'VE TAKING MINE TO ACTUALLY REBUILDS THEM. AS FOR THE INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON THE 21ST, WAS DRIVING WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND ONCE VAN WAS PULLED OFF ROAD AND PARKED, CAR WAS STILL RUNNING; HOWEVER, NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I WOULD PUT IT IN, THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT, JUST REVVING.

SteeringFire
Filed Dec 13, 201760,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SQUEALED WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED AT STIVERS FORD LINCOLN IN WAUKEE, IOWA. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V457000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 8, 2017185,000 milesIN

BOTH INTER AND OUTER SIDE PANEL IS RUSTED OUT, THAT CAN CAUSED TIRE TO BLOW OUT

Steering
Filed Nov 4, 201773,000 milesPA

STEERING IN VAN BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER.HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION AND NEW BELT..STILL DIFFICULT TO STEER.SITTING STILL OR GOING AROUND TURNS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 14, 2017NY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN AND MY FRIENDS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE I WAS HAVING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FACTORY RECALL THEREFORE I'M CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE I LIVED IN MY VAN EVERYTHING I OWNED WAS IN THERE PERSONALLY AND I HAD LIABILITY ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I'M HOMELESS AND NOW I NEED HELP THE VAN IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED ALONG WITH EVERYTHING INSIDE DOWN A BACK-ROAD WE WERE LUCKY TO GET OUT ALIVE LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FATALITY..UPDATED 08/23/17 *BF *CN

Power Train
Filed Aug 3, 2017142,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. HE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME WHERE HE CALLED KINSEL FORD (3355 EASTEX FWY, BEAUMONT, TX 77706 (409) 899-4000). SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN MARCH OF 2016 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN), THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE SAME REASON AS THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 1, 2017148,000 milesMI

I PURCHASED THE 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2016 WITH LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, OR EXCELLERATING. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. I BELIEVE IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AFTER READIN ABOUT ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. I CHECKED AND THE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED IN 2013. I HAVE READ MANY CASES WHERE THESE VEHICLES CONTINUE TO HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

20 of 283 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20077200Routine
200644300Routine
2005119400Routine
2004 — this page283560Above average

Compare every Monterey year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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 7, 2013. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.