Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Mercury Monterey, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train203
- Structure19
- Seats16
- Vehicle speed control11
- Electrical system11
- Steering8
- Engine7
- Wheels7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Fuel/propulsion system6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 2004 Monterey vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Mercury Monterey failed the safety check 3.74% of the time — 69% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 127,316 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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 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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercury told its dealers about the 2004 Mercury Monterey: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636308 | SLIDING DOOR(S) CONTACTING THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. *TT THIS INFORMATION UPDATES PREVIOUS INFORMATION, DATED 03/01/2002. *TT |
| 10205034 | Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action |
| 10183770 | 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 latch strikers could experience corrosion and may compromise the mounting point for the forward portion of the 3rd row seat. Initially, this condition may result in seat movement when passengers sit on or put weight on the seat, or difficulty latching the front of the seat when in its seating position. If corrosion is severe, the seat latch strikers may become detached from the |
| 10109070 | 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 limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer |
| 10058103 | 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 |
| 10056468 | 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 EXTENDED PERIOD. MODEL 2004-2007 FREESTAR, MONTEREY. *PE |
| 10021907 | ADVANCED TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM - SHORT DURATION ACTIVATION. *KB |
| 10021217 | POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK NEAR COOLER EXTREME COLD CLIMATE AREAS ONLY -4 DEGREES AND COOLER. *KB |
| 10020701 | ADVANCED TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM - DURATION ACTIVATION. *KB |
| 10019067 | REAR CLIMATE CONTROL NOISES - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10018071 | RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2296 - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10017923 | SERVICE WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES - SERVICE TIPS. *TT |
| 10017893 | TRACTION CONTROL LAMP - ABS LAMP - ABS SELF ACTIVATION WITH DTC C1288. *TT UPDATED 11/8/07. *NJ |
| 10017552 | A BROKEN OUTER C/V JOINT ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 5/1/2005. *TT |
| 10016808 | ERRATIC FLUID LEVEL READING ON TRANSAXLE DIPSTICK-LEAKS-4F50N, AX4N, AX4S TRANSAXLE. *SC |
| 10014704 | STEERING WHEEL. *EH |
| 10014607 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DTC U1262 AND OR U1135. *EH |
| 10014604 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DTC U1130. *EH |
| 10014279 | REAR BRAKE LINING ACCELERATED WEAR. *TT |
| 10014261 | POWER SLIDING DOORS AND POWER LIFTGATE INOPERATIVE WHEN USING THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE AND/OR REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER OPEN/CLOSE BUTTONS - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1999. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10014062 | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT |
| 10013417 | TRACTION CONTROL ABS AND PARK BRAKE LAMP. FLICKER FLASH ILLUMINATE. *EH |
| 10013404 | ACCESS DOOR WRAPED OR BREAKING OFF FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL SHROD. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Service Jack Failure
Engine Stalling
Transmission Torque Converter Failure
TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation