Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Mercury Montego owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
With only 70,000 on the transmission it began to hesitate when I would accelerate and buck when I would come to a stop. This became hazardous when I was trying to come out of a parking lot onto a busy street and the forward propulsion would hesitate closing the safe gap between oncoming cars and myself. This has been a known problem with the 2005 Mercury vehicles both in the CVT transmission and the 6-speed. I don't know why they have not had a recall on the transmissions since there are hundreds of complaints on the internet with this same exact problem. My first Montego passed the lemon law with the transmission problems when I first bought it. Now the second Montego is having the same issues after only 70,000 miles on the vehicle. I had too many close calls driving this vehicle with the inconsistency in acceleration. And the bucking and thumping when braking is severe. …
The linkage that controls the gear shift allowed the car to roll while the car was supposed to have been in park. Moreover. The car was in park but wouldn't start. When the tow truck put the car on the flat bed, the car tried to roll off even though the car shift level was in park. The car was in park and the engine was off. And the key wasn't in the ignition.. The car was repaid to the tune of about $800.00. It had to do with some linkage that runs underneath the battery box. Also the car wouldn't start.
While driving down the freeway at about 50 MPH I went to accelerate and the transmission sputtered and then tried to downshift but instead locked up and caused the cars front tires to squeal and a rapid slow down. This failure occurs anytime I try to accelerate to pass a vehicle. With careful driving I can minimize it but am not able to accelerate very well. Dealership has told me to replace the transmission at my cost.
I just pulled my car off the lot not even 10 minutes later there was jerking then my car stopped dead in the middle of a busy street.this has happened numerous times with the worst being on a one way and my nieces no more than 10 years old in the car my car made a kind of a loud humming noise,jerked then stopped in the street.at times I can't even reverse or go up steep hills.
I own a 2005 Mercury Montego. While driving various speeds, all of the instrument panel gauges would illuminate and drop to zero and the seat belt indicators would illuminate and chime. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000
Montego CVT transmission sticks sometimes when you hit the gas,and sometimes go into safety mode took it to the dealer they said no codes where found .I think someone should put some presser on Ford for them to look into this matter.
On June 22, 2010 I noticed the engine warning light come on. About 1/2 mile further the transmission starts bucking and jumping. The 2005 Mercury Montego was having a difficult time pulling a 15% grade, once to the top everything smoothed out. Then 2 miles further another hill came. The 2005 Mercury Montego started to buck and jump once again. I made it home that evening. The next day I called the dealership and explained the situation. It was decided to take the vehicle in to be looked at. What was found was an instrument cluster defect that was changed out after a four day waiting period to receive the part. Then the service advisor called and stated that the transmission control module (TCM) was defective. This part is not covered by my warranty! It will cost me $1,700.00 to replace this part. …
Driving on the highway on February 10, 2011, started to pass a truck and noticed that I was losing power - I looked at the tachometer and noticed the RPM's increasing. I took my foot off the gas and got back into the right lane. As I got further down the interstate, I heard a loud, screaming noise, and I continued to lose power. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road as soon as it was safe (I was on an overpass). The car continued to run but it wouldn't go into gear. I had the car towed to a transmission shop where they checked and replaced the cv axel assembly and replaced the transmission fluid. In March 2011 I noticed the engine seemed to be misfiring so I took it to an auto repair shop where they said the plugs needed replaced and one motor mount was broken and needed replaced. …
Purchased car on 10/3/2011 from drivetime motors. On the way home, car had obvious transmission problems. Took in for service on 10/5/2011, and transmission was replaced. Upon testing, prior to pick up, the mechanic found that transmission to be a bad one. Replaced with another lkq transmission. Picked up car on 10/27/11. On 10/29/2011, the check transmission light alerted in car. Parked car at home. On 10/30/11, drove car 2 miles to church and backed car into parking space along tree line. An hour later, sent child to retrieve an item from the trunk. Child walked around to the trunk and used key fob to open the trunk. As he leaned to remove items from the trunk, car rolled backwards and knocked him down, luckily, car was stopped by tree limbs on ravine of tree line, as child rolled down ravine. Resulting injuries were head contusion, concussion and badly bruised arm and back. …
On 2/27/13 throttle was cleaned not replaced per Ford recall 12no3. On 5/18/13 being stuck in construction traffic at a stand still, foot on brake engine proceeded like a 747 getting ready to take off. Car moved forward some 1 to 2 ft.. Killed engine, turned it on again with foot on brake car proceeded to move. Killed engine, turned back on. No other problem until I was at a stop light on way to destination. Again engine begin to whine at high rate as if I was in neutral and had foot a gas. Killed engine and was able to proceed to destination without problem. Took vehicle to Ford dealership on 5/9/13. Dealership did diagnostic, found throttle body bad. Had to be replaced. There was on or about 3500 miles on vehicle since time of cleaning to repair. Of the 3500 miles, 2000 was on our trip. Talked with Ford corporate stated dealership problem not theirs. …
Transmission complaints in other Montego years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Mercury Montego?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Mercury Montego, 36% of the model year's 135 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mercury Montego transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Mercury Montego, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Mercury Montego transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.