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2004 Mercury MontereyProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 283 owner complaints about the 2004 Mercury Monterey, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2004 Mercury Monterey
30
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.3× the Monterey median · #1 of 3 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2839 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage78kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 3, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Mercury Monterey has problems

283 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train2032
Structure191
Seats161
Electrical system111
Vehicle speed control112
Steering81
Wheels70
Engine72
Engine and engine cooling72
14 other systems412

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2004 Mercury Monterey recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 13V-081 · Mar 7, 2013 · 196,667 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 12V-006 · Jan 9, 2012 · 206,452 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 03V-457 · Nov 6, 2003 · 23,996 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

78kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 199 power train complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles149under 100k miles50100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

32 owners mentioned a cost

$3,000median

Middle half: $1,775 – $3,500

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Monterey year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Monterey median. How we score

'72'73'74'04'05'06'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Mercury Monterey safety ratings

2004 Mercury Monterey in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mercury Monterey, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Transmission Torque Converter FailureEA09016 · closed Feb 2, 2012
    Led to recall 12V-006
  2. Corrosion of Third-Row Seat AttachmentEA12003 · closed May 2, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-081
  3. Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts FailingEQ12010 · closed Dec 31, 2012
    No recall
  4. TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILUREPE09033 · closed Nov 17, 2009
    No recall
  5. Engine StallingPE10033 · closed Jul 15, 2011
    No recall
  6. Service Jack FailurePE11033 · closed Dec 7, 2012
    No recall
  7. Corrosion of Third-Row Seat AttachmentPE11039 · closed Apr 27, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What Monterey owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11586529 · May 2, 2024 · 104,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11382869 · Dec 10, 2020 · 93,000 miles
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…
Complaint 11377203 · Nov 30, 2020 · 180,000 miles

Own a 2004 Monterey?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.