Mercury Monterey Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mercury Monterey model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2007 drew the fewest (7) and the 2004 the most (283).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 1 | Power train | — | 17 |
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
44 | 2 | Power train | — | 17 |
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
119 | 3 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
283 | 4 | Power train | — | 17 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mercury Monterey years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2004 Mercury Monterey: 283 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 203 (72%); Structure 19 (7%); Seats 16 (6%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Mercury Monterey: 119 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 97 (82%); Structure 8 (7%); Electrical system 6 (5%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 73,626 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Mercury Monterey: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 34 (77%); Service brakes 4 (9%); Vehicle speed control 3 (7%).
Reports mention 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 81,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Mercury Monterey years with the fewest complaints
2007 Mercury Monterey: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 4 (57%); Engine 2 (29%); Vehicle speed control 2 (29%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2006 Mercury Monterey: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 34 (77%); Service brakes 4 (9%); Vehicle speed control 3 (7%).
Reports mention 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 81,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Mercury Monterey: 119 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 97 (82%); Structure 8 (7%); Electrical system 6 (5%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 73,626 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mercury Monterey owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 81,000 |
| 2005 | 119 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 73,626 |
| 2004 | 283 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 78,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mercury Monterey recalls
- TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONS (2004–2005 model years; 206,452 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2012; 12V006000)
- Corrosion of Third Row Seat Attachment (2004–2007 model years; 196,667 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2013; 13V081000)
- FORD/HUBS, ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS (2004 model year; 34,013 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2004; 04V446000)
- FORD/POWER STEERING LINE (2004 model year; 23,996 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2003; 03V457000)
- POWER LIFTGATES (2005–2006 model years; 12,728 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2006; 06V069000)
All 5 Mercury Monterey recall campaigns · Mercury Monterey problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mercury Monterey years FAQ
Which Mercury Monterey year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2007 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (7). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mercury Monterey years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2004, 2005 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mercury Monterey problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (338 of 453 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mercury Monterey have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Mercury Monterey. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mercury Monterey recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.