Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Our car suffered loss of power and erratic throttle (surges of forward movement even when foot not on the throttle) several times in January 2017. Car unsafe to drive, would leave stranded in the middle of high-speed traffic on highway. Diagnosed with a bad electronic throttle body by russel and smith Ford dealer in houston, replaced 1/19/17 under "Ford customer satisfaction program 13n03." on 8/28/17 same symptoms occurred, intermittent power acceleration and loss of acceleration while at speed. Taken to brandon Ford (florida) that day, again diagnosed with a bad electronic throttle body, which was replaced. Picked car up 8/31, and within 1 hour we lost power while at speed. While at a red light, car surges forward even with brake pedal applied and no foot on the gas. Have again been told it must be a bad throttle body.
While driving the vehicle a warning came on stating power assist failure. Car had manual steering only. The first time it happened it went away when the car was restarted. No such luck this time, warning stays on and no power steering. Luckily I was on straight roads both times. I see there was a recall on this but the dealership says there is none??
The contact owns a 2010 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle body and the throttle body injectors failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
I have a 2010 mercury milan premier thats power steering went out I found out the part has been recalled on the 2011 model but not the 2010 model and it's the same exact part so now the 2011 has been recalled but not the 2010 and I'm out over 600 dollars + to fix it
I was driving up the hill & slowed down for the speedbump. I started applying the brakes to turn right into the driveway but the car lunged forward, causing me to miss the driveway & turn into the yard. As I stepped on the brake the car continued to speed up so I screamed at my husband "james I can't stop the car!" he yanked the handbrake up but it didn't stop or slow down and the engine made a continuous high pitched racing sound. We crashed into the house, damaging it & breaking my left arm! The car was totaled. All this occurred in just a matter of seconds. Fortunately our family was in another part of the house and weren't injured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mercury Milan. While driving 78 MPH, the vehicle decelerated on its own. The contact had to immediately pull the vehicle over onto the shoulder before more traffic approached. The vehicle stalled. The contact waited awhile to restart the vehicle. Once restarted, the vehicle operated normally. An unknown service indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to feyer Ford of edenton inc. (504 virginia rd, edenton, nc 27932, [phone]) and repaired, but the failure recurred the following day. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 86,409. Consumer stated throttle body was replaced after a month of being at the dealership. There has been a recall on certain milans for this same issue. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).'
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. While attempting to go uphill in the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and several warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. When the contact restarted the vehicle, all of the electrical functions worked. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to move. The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted and able to drive; however, the check engine remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle shuddered. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact also mentioned that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Milan years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (169), 2011 (24), 2007 (18), 2008 (16) and 2006 (10) model years. Engine complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Mercury Milan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Mercury Milan model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercury Milan engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (1 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.