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Body and structurePart report

2004 Mercury Monterey Body and structure Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
7%of 283 total for the year
Median mileage
124,440miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the body and structure of the 2004 Mercury Monterey, 7% of the 283 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,440 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When my 10 year old son was getting in the car today he noticed that the 3rd row seat was wobbly and moving around. We saw that the latch that holds the seat in place was no longer there! In its place was a hole to the outside of the car. I looked in the drivers-side rear wheel well and saw that the entire latch anchor plate had rusted completely off! …”

NHTSA complaint #10470216, filed 2012-08, 115,170 miles

“Lower control bolt that mounted to subframe rusted threw frame . If not caught on time the tire would seperate I took the vechicle to a wedler for temperary repair. But unfortanley the design on the subframe has holes so it allows water to enter and cause frame to rust! Alert when braking you may experience clunking that is the lower control arm bolt broken. Very dangerous. I have vechicle with physical proof of rusted frame if needed I can take pictures when the time comes.”

NHTSA complaint #11256944, filed 2019-09, 126,000 miles

“After a rainstorm I opened the tailgate of my vehicle and was surprised to find that the rear wheel well was wet. I vacuumed the water out and brought it to the dealer almost 2 months later after finding moisture several other times. The dealer had a service tech try to recreate how the water got in and determined that I had cracked a panel. The only crack visible to me was in a trim piece around the license plate. They told me it would cost over $600 to repair. I told them nevermind. That much water could not come from that crack. Fast forward to a time near the present. …”

NHTSA complaint #10449958, filed 2012-03, 23,000 miles

“While driving I noticed my third row seat was bouncing some, when I stopped I found that the latch holding the seat down was unattached. When I took it into the dealer he said that it is rusted through. I had my special needs son in that seat, hit his head but nothing major. Unfortunately I now am unable to transport my special needs son because he has to be in the third row seat. My drivers side wheel well is also totally rusted through and water is getting into the car. I am not sure if it is related but my traction control light is always off and on along with the tire pressure indicator. …”

NHTSA complaint #10482620, filed 2012-10, 178,000 miles

“Corrosion of third row seat attachment. On 23 june 2016, removed interior panel to service auxiliary A/C unit and discovered severely rusted area around the third-row seat attachment. Both left and right sides of the vehicle are rusted; the left side is much worse than the right side at this time. Contacted local dealer and their representative body shop; both refused to repair the problem due to potential liability issues. Was referred to ford customer relationship service. …”

NHTSA complaint #10876443, filed 2016-06, 249,950 miles

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200612%
200587%
2004197%

Other parts of the 2004 Mercury Monterey

Transmission and drivetrain
203 complaints
Seats
16 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Wheels
7 complaints
Other or unknown
6 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercury Monterey

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology