Monterey (1st)
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.
4.2-V6-Gas
4.2L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Mercury Monterey Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Monterey, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey
On a used 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (337), the body and structure (30) and the engine (25). 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 337 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey about the body and structure.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey about the electrical system.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Recalls (6)
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.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
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.
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.
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.
Show 1 older recall
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey complaints?
Owners have filed 451 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the body and trim and the engine.
Is the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey 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 451 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey have?
NHTSA has 451 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey 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 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey 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 Monterey?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the body and trim and the engine, 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 Monterey have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 451 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.