2006 Mercury Monterey problems & reliability
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mercury Monterey, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2006 Mercury Monterey vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 34 | 77% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 5% |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 5% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 2% |
| Seats | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 12 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 43 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 81,000 miles (middle 50% between 60,669 and 115,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I was driving down the road at approx. 30-35 mph, when all of a sudden a high pitched squealing sound, occured and my vehicle would not accelerate forward anymore. I coasted into a parking lot, put the vehicle in park, and then shifted the car into r,d, and od and nothing engaged... This happened on a city…”
Power Train · filed Nov 1, 2020
“My 2006 mercury mmonterey started jumping while going down the road and making a noise when you press the gas. Mechanic said it was the tcc selenoid so we replaced it an that did not fix the issue so took it backto find the torque conveter is bad.”
Power Train · filed Apr 20, 2020
“My family was traveling on the I-65 south interstate and the van, 2006 mercury monterey, stop responding in the middle of fast traffic. It took me by total surprise. The engine was still running. So, I initially thought it had accidently went in neutral but that wasn't the case. I tried a lower gear with not luck. Not…”
Power Train · filed Dec 1, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Investigation EQ12010 · opened Sep 28, 2012 · closed Dec 31, 2012
- Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Engineering Analysis EA12003 · opened Apr 23, 2012 · closed May 2, 2013 · led to recall 13V081000
- Engine Stalling
Preliminary Evaluation PE10033 · opened Aug 23, 2010 · closed Jul 15, 2011
Technical service bulletins
14 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. The 10 most recent:
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action
TSB160069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the sheet metal that supports the folding 3rd row seat…
16-0069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Ford/mercury: safety recall regarding sheet metal support for folding 3rd row seat latch strikers can experience corrosion and will compromise mounting point causing seat to move. Model 2004-07 freestar, monterey. *pe
TSB-14-0166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford/mercury: sheet metal supporting folding 3rd row seat latch strikers will experience corrosion and compromise mounting point for forward portion of 3rd row seat, if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for…
TSB-14-0144 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Damaged spark plug electrode/mil dtc p030x, rough idle, engine knock/ping on acceleration. *nj
07141 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 8, 2007
Advanced traction control system - short duration activation. *kb
071011 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2007
Power steering hose leak near cooler extreme cold climate areas only -4 degrees and cooler. *kb
0712 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 23, 2007
Advanced traction control system - duration activation. *kb
06218 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 28, 2006
Customer satisfaction program 06b37. Crank position sensor connector inspection. The crankshaft position sensor harness connector may not have been fully seated in the crankshaft position sensor. If the crankshaft…
0637 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2006
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2006 Mercury Monterey has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 Mercury Monterey?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 81,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.