Monterey (1st)
Engine Reliability Ratings
Mercury Monterey Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
4.2-V6-Gas
4.2L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Mercury Monterey regardless of engine variant.
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.
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 problems?
The 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey has accumulated 414 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Body/Trim, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Mercury Monterey engine is most reliable?
The 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.2L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey a good used car?
The 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 414 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey have?
The 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey has 414 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey?
There are 6 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2007 Mercury Monterey vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Mercury Monterey?
Before buying a used Mercury Monterey, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Body/Trim, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 414 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.