Montego (2005)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
3.0-V6-Gas
3.0L 6-cyl / 203 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Montego Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Montego, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005 Mercury Montego
On a used 2005 Mercury Montego, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (49), the electrical system (27) and the brakes (18). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on the 2005 Mercury Montego about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2005 Mercury Montego about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on the 2005 Mercury Montego about the brakes.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2005 Mercury Montego about the engine.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2005 Mercury Montego about the fuel system.
Recalls (2)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2005 Mercury Montego complaints?
Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the brakes.
Is the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego have?
NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2005-2005 Mercury Montego?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2005-2005 Mercury Montego vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Mercury Montego?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Montego have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005 Mercury Montego. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 135 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.