2004 Mercury Monterey recalls and problems

The 2004 Mercury Monterey has 4 safety recalls and 283 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mercury dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

283

Crashes / fires

2 / 6

Injuries / deaths

1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Mercury Monterey vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Mercury Monterey recalls

Recall 13V-081: Seats

Reported Mar 7, 2013 · 196,667 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 12V-006: Power Train

Reported Jan 9, 2012 · 206,452 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2005 ford freestar and mercury monterey vehicles. The torque converter output shaft may fail.

Risk: This condition results in a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converter free of charge. The safety recall began on august 9, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall 04V-446: Wheels

Reported Sep 13, 2004 · 34,013 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the cracks were to progress, this could eventually result in wheel separation. Wheel separation may lead to loss of vehicle control, and potentially result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front hub, rotors, and wheel bearings. The recall began september 20, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 03V-457: Steering

Reported Nov 6, 2003 · 23,996 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain minivans, the power steering low-pressure line may not be fully seated at the rack and pinion steering gear.

Risk: If this line becomes disconnected, it may create the potential for fluid to come into contact with the exhaust system, which could result in smoke or fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the power steering low-pressure line to ensure that it is seated properly at the rack and pinion steering gear. Owner notification began november 10, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2004 Mercury Monterey problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	214
Structure	19
Seats	16
Electrical System	11
Vehicle Speed Control	11
Steering	8
Wheels	7
Engine and Engine Cooling	7
Engine	7
Suspension	6
Fuel/Propulsion System	6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	5

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 130
Structure › Body — 14
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter — 12
Wheels › Hub — 3
Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components — 1
Tires › Sidewall — 1
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 78,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Mercury Monterey complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 361,749 miles · reported Feb 3, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Mercury Monterey. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 223,476 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 361,749.

Unknown or Other · reported Aug 19, 2024

Reported on third seat on 2004 Mercury Monterrey premier van was recalled , also air bags was recalled and also on wheel of vehicle was recalled in which I want to see if I can take my vehicle and have it inspected and keep my vehicle on the list if any recall and Thank You .?

Power Train · at 104,000 miles · reported May 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated that while driving through a drive thru, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral and was unable to shift into the intended gear. The automatic transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A dealer was contacted back in 2012 who confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train); however, parts were not available. The contact called that same dealer in 2015 who confirmed that parts were available for the recall repair however, there was no available…

Service Brakes · at 184,000 miles · reported Sep 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The driver manually shifted gears to slow the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the return spring part was no longer being produced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

Power Train · at 93,000 miles · reported Dec 10, 2020

The contact owns a 2004 mercury monterey. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine light was illuminated on the instrument panel prior to the failure. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and then to newton ford south (2010 n main st, shelbyville, tn 37160) where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12v006000 (Power train) however, the VIN was not included. The…

Other Mercury Monterey years

2007 2006 20052004

Compare all Mercury Monterey years · All Mercury models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2004 Mercury Monterey: 13V-081 (seats), 12V-006 (power train), 04V-446 (wheels), 03V-457 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Mercury Monterey?

Owners report power train problems most often (214 reports), followed by structure (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 78,000 miles.

Are Mercury recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mercury dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.