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Mercury MontereyModel year report

2006 Mercury Monterey Problems

Complaints
44filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
81,000miles, 43 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl FWD · 15 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mercury Monterey (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 34 complaints (77% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and other or unknown (4). 43 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “My 2006 Mercury mmonterey started jumping while going down the road and making a noise when you press the gas. Mechanic said it was the tcc selenoid so we replaced it an that did not fix the issue so took it backto find the torque conveter is bad.”

NHTSA complaint #11321674, filed 2020-04, 167,195 miles

Brakes: “I do not know the dates or mileages at the time, I'm sure it was over 36,000 miles or else I would have taken it into the dealer. Actually the first time I may have, and they probably said your car didn't throw out a code I've heard that many times... On at least two occasions, possibly three, I hit the brakes *lightly* in dry weather and it sets off the traction control. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551133, filed 2013-11, 36,001 miles

Other or unknown: “I was driving down the road, just normal driving, posted speed or below,. Had gas pedal down and suddenly the vehicle has no power. Had to push to the side. Can move gear shift, but car doesn't go into any direction, forward or backward.”

NHTSA complaint #11074530, filed 2018-02, 150,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “My wife was traveling with my family on the taconic state parkway in our minivan when without warning. It loss power. The vehicle gave no signs of any problem no warning lights of any kind. My wife was able to pull over to the service road and had to wait for a tow truck. The vehicle does not move forward nor does go into reverse. A search online shows that the 2004 2005 Mercury Monterey were recalled for transmission problem however not the 2006.”

NHTSA complaint #10524683, filed 2013-07, 78,655 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 43 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,337 and 115,000 miles.

2%0–105%10–2514%25–5019%50–7526%75–10028%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (43 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 81,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2010201292014201620182020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Monterey · hatchback FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Mercury Monterey version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Monterey Wagon FWD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Mercury Monterey → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercury Monterey

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20077115,0001—17—Not enough data
20064481,0002—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200511972,8133—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200428378,0004—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mercury Monterey model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mercury Monterey have?

NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mercury Monterey as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mercury Monterey is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 34 complaints (77% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.

Has the 2006 Mercury Monterey been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercury Monterey get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mercury Monterey (Monterey Wagon FWD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mercury Monterey reported?

Among the 43 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,000 miles and the middle half falls between 59,337 and 115,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.