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 2006 Mercury Monterey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 wanting to be stuck in the middle of the interstate I then turned on my hazard lights and frantically maneuvered the van to the side of the busy interstate road. Once on the side of the road my husband tried every gear and the van wasn't responding in any of them. We ended up getting it towed to our house. After we got home my husband started researching the problem because he had never heard of a vehicle stop responding like that without any warning signs. He said this has to be vehicle defect and looked up recalls for the van on the NHTSA.org website. …
Our van was driving just fine and suddenly, with no warning at all, went into neutral, stopping in an intersection. The vehicle only has around 88000 miles on it. It was towed to the dealer, and the Lincoln dealer diagnosed that the torque converter had failed. I noticed Ford had already recalled all of the 2004 freestars and 2005 montereys for this problem, but yet somehow my 2006 with a September 2005 build date was not part of the recall. So guess what? Ford knowingly left me in an unsafe vehicle, and now I'm responsible for the repair bill. Ford so very clearly knew about the problem and never corrected the problem by the time by vehicle was built. NHTSA needs to encourage Ford to recall all the 2006 and probably all the 2007s as well. Ford should be paying for my repair, not me.
I have already replaced the transmission on this vehicle and do not want to incur the expense replacing another. With no warning the vehicle acted as if it slipped or popped out of gear as I was going down a fairly busy street. I had lost all gears. I could move the shifter but no gears would engage. I had the vehicle towed to my residence then to the repair shop. Not sure how many complaints regarding this issue you need before notifying the manufacturer to declare a recall, but I'm sure the complaints written on this site represent a very small number of people that have or are having this very same issue as the 2004 and 2005 model year that for some reason did get a recall issued. It is time the 2006 models were included.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that while going up an incline, the transmission stalled and the vehicle jumped. The contact was able to gain control of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power control module needed to be replaced, the transmission was contaminated with water and needed to be rebuilt, the fluid needed to be replaced and the wiper cowl needed to be removed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA action number pe10033 (vehicle speed control, power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
I was driving at 45 MPH when the transmission jumped and lost all the gears. I was able to coast to the side of the road and shut off the van. I started it back up and was able to shift through all of the gears but would not move just rev the rpms. Had it towed to a transmission place and was advised there is a recall on this happening with the torque getting stripped. Contacted Ford to be advised it was not included for my VIN even though they are aware of this issue happening with other vans same year and make. Ford refuses to assist or cover this repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Monterey. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. Ma 10/2
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 street...had it towed to repair shop and was told it was something with my transmission, but they didnt say what, only that is was going to cost $2250 to replace it.....had it towed home..not repaired
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Monterey. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond as the accelerator pedal was being depressed. Also, the rpms increased to high. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the torque converter was stripped. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Was driving down main street in monroe wis when car just went in to neutral and we just cost. Luckily had enough speed to get in a parking lot. Left 2 86 year olds and 1 92 year old sitting in the van at 10:30 at night luckily a relative could get us. Towed van to dealer was told torque converter had stripped the out put shaft splines that this was a recall on the year before.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse or park position without warning. As a result, the vehicle continued to drift forward. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Stalling
The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the circuit board became wet or which of the connector pins shorted out.In addition to causing an engine…
Transmission complaints in other Monterey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Mercury Monterey?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Mercury Monterey, 77% of the model year's 44 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercury Monterey transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Mercury Monterey, 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 2006 Mercury Monterey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
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.