Model year
2004 Mercury Monterey
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 283 complaints for the 2004 Mercury Monterey (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (130), POWER TRAIN (70), SEATS (15). NHTSA lists 7 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
Recalls
13V081000 · Mar 7, 2013
SEATS
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,…
12V006000 · Jan 9, 2012
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
04V446000 · Sep 13, 2004
WHEELS:HUB
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.
03V457000 · Nov 6, 2003
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.
Complaints
283 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 6, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09033 | TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | Jul 15, 2009 | Nov 17, 2009 |
| EA09016 | Transmission Torque Converter Failure · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | Nov 10, 2009 | Feb 2, 2012 |
| PE10033 | Engine Stalling · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Aug 23, 2010 | Jul 15, 2011 |
| PE11033 | Service Jack Failure · EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | Sep 13, 2011 | Dec 7, 2012 |
| PE11039 | Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; SEATS; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; STRUCTURE:BODY; STRUCTURE | Dec 21, 2011 | Apr 27, 2012 |
| EA12003 | Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment · SEATS; SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY; STRUCTURE:BODY; STRUCTURE | Apr 23, 2012 | May 2, 2013 |
1 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Wagon FWD · 4.2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Mercury Monterey at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.