CarModelProblems.com

2004 Mercury Monterey Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 8.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
283Complaints
5Recalls
2Crashes
6Fires
1Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (45.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 8.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission130 · 45.9%RecalledRecall 12V006000
Power Train70 · 24.7%RecalledRecall 12V006000
Seats15 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 13V081000
Structure:body14 · 4.9%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter12 · 4.2%RecalledRecall 12V006000
Vehicle Speed Control10 · 3.5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN70 · 24.7%
SEATS15 · 5.3%
STRUCTURE:BODY14 · 4.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER12 · 4.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 3.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 3.2%
STEERING8 · 2.8%
ENGINE7 · 2.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 283 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 12V006000 · 2012 · reported 01/09/2012

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats

NHTSA campaign 13V081000 · 2013 · reported 03/07/2013

In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

NHTSA campaign 03V457000 · 2003 · reported 11/06/2003

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels:hub

NHTSA campaign 04V446000 · 2004 · reported 09/13/2004

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“SUDDEN (AND SILENT) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY WITH 59876 MILES. STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT, PROCEEDED ON GREEN LIGHT AND ACCELERATED TO…”NHTSA complaint 10365400 — filed 11/11/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“2004 MERCURY MONTEREY 59,700 MILES AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. AFTER REVIEWING A BUNCH…”NHTSA complaint 10362991 — filed 10/30/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING OUR 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY HAD DRIVETRAIN ISSUES. WE WERE AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN WE WENT TO ACCELERATE THE VAN DID…”NHTSA complaint 10361732 — filed 10/22/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

452009734620115027201325132015692017642019422021212026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mercury Monterey?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 130 of 283 NHTSA complaints (45.9%), followed by power train (70), seats (15), structure:body (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have?

283 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Mercury Monterey have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V006000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Mercury Monterey's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.