NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Mercury Monterey Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Mercury Monterey has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 283 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Mercury Monterey, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2004 Mercury Monterey owner complaints

Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mercury Monterey, describing incidents dated April 1, 2004 to May 27, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 203 complaints
Structure 19 complaints
Seats 16 complaints
Engine 14 complaints
Electrical System 11 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 11 complaints

Of the 283 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 283 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11715312 · Filed February 3, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Mercury Monterey. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 223,476 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 361,749.
ODI #11609519 · Filed August 19, 2024
Reported on third seat on 2004 Mercury Monterrey premier van was recalled , also air bags was recalled and also on wheel of vehicle was recalled in which I want to see if I can take my vehicle and have it inspected and keep my vehicle on the list if any recall and Thank You .?
ODI #11586529 · Filed May 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that while driving through a drive thru, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and was unable to shift into the intended gear. The automatic transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer…

Read all 283 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Mercury Monterey mileage at failure

270 of the 283 complaints on file for the 2004 Mercury Monterey give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–100,000 miles	Based on 197 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Mercury Monterey in 7 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-003: Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Closed May 2, 2013
- Recall 13V-081
Equipment Query EQ12-010: Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Closed December 31, 2012
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-033: Service Jack Failure
Closed December 7, 2012
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-039: Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Closed April 27, 2012
Engineering Analysis EA09-016: Transmission Torque Converter Failure
Closed February 2, 2012
- Recall 12V-006

2 more NHTSA investigations

Preliminary Evaluation PE10-033: Engine Stalling
Closed July 15, 2011
Preliminary Evaluation PE09-033: TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
Closed November 17, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Corrosion of Third Row Seat Attachment

NHTSA #13V081000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 196,667 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 13S01 · Owners notified March 28, 2013 · Vehicles built March 24, 2003 – November 7, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

Ford's recall campaign number is 13S01.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONS

NHTSA #12V006000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 206,452 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11S25 · Owners notified June 29, 2012 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S25.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL LEAK/FIRE

NHTSA #06E056000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · UFI FILTERS USA

Potentially affected: 58,640 vehicles

Owners notified August 4, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO UFI FILTERS USA (PUROLATOR) AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FORD/HUBS, ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS

NHTSA #04V446000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported September 13, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 34,013 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04S24 · Owners notified September 20, 2004 · Vehicles built February 23, 2004 – May 13, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04S24.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/POWER STEERING LINE

NHTSA #03V457000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported November 6, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 23,996 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03S09 · Owners notified November 10, 2003 · Vehicles built March 24, 2003 – October 27, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Safety consequence

IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 03S09.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Mercury Monterey

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

7 investigations

283 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Mercury Monterey.

Electrical System

ODI #11715312

Incident: May 27, 2025 · Filed: February 3, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Mercury Monterey. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 223,476 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 361,749.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11609519

Incident: August 19, 2024 · Filed: August 19, 2024

Reported on third seat on 2004 Mercury Monterrey premier van was recalled , also air bags was recalled and also on wheel of vehicle was recalled in which I want to see if I can take my vehicle and have it inspected and keep my vehicle on the list if any recall and Thank You .?

Power Train

ODI #11586529

Incident: April 29, 2024 · Filed: May 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that while driving through a drive thru, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and was unable to shift into the intended gear. The automatic transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was contacted back in 2012 who confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train); however, parts were not available. The contact called that same dealer in 2015 who confirmed that parts were available for the recall repair however, there was no available appointment and advised the contact to bring in the vehicle to be repaired only if a failure was experienced. The vehicle was not repaired. After the most recent failure, the contact called the same dealer and was informed that the system was indicating that the recall repair was completed; however, the vehicle was never scheduled for the recall repair. The contact confirmed that the recall repair was not performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11432162

Incident: September 1, 2021 · Filed: September 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The driver manually shifted gears to slow the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the return spring part was no longer being produced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

Power Train

ODI #11382869

Incident: November 23, 2020 · Filed: December 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO NEWTON FORD SOUTH (2010 N MAIN ST, SHELBYVILLE, TN 37160) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

Power Train; Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11377203

Incident: August 27, 2020 · Filed: November 30, 2020

WELL I DIDNT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS BUT AROUND AUGUST 2020 MY GRANDSON JUST GOT OUT OF KNEE SURGERY WE WAS DRIVING UP TO LIMESTONE NEW YORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND IT STOPPED MOVING SO I COSTED OFF THE ROAD WE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED SO WE SAT THERE AND THERE WAS ALOT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE SO A MAN STOPPED TOOK MY BOYFRIEND TO A STORE TO GET TRANSMISSION FLUID WHILE ME MY DAUGHTER N GRANDSON WAITED IN THE VEHICLE HE PUTS THE FLUID IN WE GOT IT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE THE FLUID JUST KEPT DRAINED OUT SO WE HAD TO SIT THERE AND WAIT FOR A RIDE AND A TOW WHICH THE PPL PICKED US UP AND BROUGHT US HOME THE NEXT DAY MY BF RENTED A CAR DOLLY AND WE RAN BACK UP TO GRAB AND TOW IT BACK TO MY PLACE AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING HERE EVER SINCE CAN SOMEONE HELP PLEASE I NEED MY VEHICLE FIXED I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO IT IT WAS DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED

Structure

ODI #11256944

Incident: August 9, 2018 · Filed: September 20, 2019

LOWER CONTROL BOLT THAT MOUNTED TO SUBFRAME RUSTED THREW FRAME . IF NOT CAUGHT ON TIME THE TIRE WOULD SEPERATE I TOOK THE VECHICLE TO A WEDLER FOR TEMPERARY REPAIR. BUT UNFORTANLEY THE DESIGN ON THE SUBFRAME HAS HOLES SO IT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER AND CAUSE FRAME TO RUST! ALERT WHEN BRAKING YOU MAY EXPERIENCE CLUNKING THAT IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT BROKEN. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE VECHICLE WITH PHYSICAL PROOF OF RUSTED FRAME IF NEEDED I CAN TAKE PICTURES WHEN THE TIME COMES.

Suspension; Power Train

ODI #11210329

Incident: May 23, 2019 · Filed: May 28, 2019

THURSDAY MAY 23 2019. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY VAN JUST CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VAN AND GET INTO A PARKING LOT. I SAT FOR A BIT AND TRIED IT AGAIN. IT STARTED. BUT I HAD NO POWER TO GO FORWARD OR REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS JUST GONE. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAD HAPPENED. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT .. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. I HAD JUST PULLED FORWARD FROM WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT.

Power Train

ODI #11164501

Incident: December 22, 2018 · Filed: January 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11088862

Incident: April 11, 2018 · Filed: April 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Other Mercury Monterey model years

Check your 2004 Mercury Monterey VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Monterey at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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