2006 Mercury Montego Reliability Score: 4.7 out of 10

85 NHTSA Complaints

0 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

5 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

4.7 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 50 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 20.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.7 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall50 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles

4.7

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

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 hp

69 complaints 69.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

engine

fuel system

other

electrical

Mercury Montego Unidentified Engine

15 complaints 15.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

wheels tires

engine

other

cooling

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

4.2-V6-Gas

4.2L 6-cyl / 201 hp

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

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.

Transmission: 28 owner complaints

Engine: 24 owner complaints

Fuel System: 9 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006 Mercury Montego

On a used 2006 Mercury Montego, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (28), the engine (24) and the fuel system (9). 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 28 owner complaints on the 2006 Mercury Montego about the transmission and drivetrain.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2006 Mercury Montego about the engine.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2006 Mercury Montego about the fuel system.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2006 Mercury Montego about the wheels and tires.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006 Mercury Montego

All Generations

20052005 20062006 20072007

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,029 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

4 engines / 62 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

2 engines / 132 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2006 Mercury Montego complaints?

Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2006 Mercury Montego. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the fuel system.

Is the 2006-2006 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 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2006 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 2006-2006 Mercury Montego have?

NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2006 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 2006-2006 Mercury Montego?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006-2006 Mercury Montego.

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 engine and the fuel system, 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 2006 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. 85 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.