Model year guide

2006 Mercury Monterey

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Mercury Monterey is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

2006 Mercury Monterey — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2006 Mercury Monterey at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints44
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$3,300

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2006 Mercury Monterey recalls 3

Seats NHTSA Campaign #13V081000 · manufacturer #13S01 · 07/03/2013

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,…

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E056000 · 13/06/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate NHTSA Campaign #06V069000 · manufacturer #06S42 · 09/03/2006

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2006 Mercury Monterey common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Traction Control System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2006 Mercury Monterey safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2006 Mercury Monterey. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2006 Mercury Monterey MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,950
EPA size classMinivan - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2006 Mercury Monterey worth?

Low
$1,500
Typical price
$3,300
High
$5,200

From 5 comparable 2006 Mercury Monterey listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Mercury Monterey costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,750
Fuel only$19,750
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing Closed

Please see the attached closing resume summary. It has been attached to this document as a PDF.

NHTSA #EQ12010 · Structure · opened Sep 2012 · closed Dec 2012

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment Closed

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details). The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the "salt belt" states or high corrosion areas of the United States: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia,…

NHTSA #EA12003 · Structure, Seats · opened Apr 2012 · closed May 2013

Engine Stalling Closed

The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the circuit board became wet or which of the connector pins shorted out. In addition to causing an engine t…

NHTSA #PE10033 · Vehicle Speed Control, Power Train · opened Aug 2010 · closed Jul 2011

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 14

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 14.

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these P…

Bulletin SSM 46085 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine · Sep 2016

Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action

Bulletin TSB160069 · Seats · Apr 2016

For 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the sheet metal that supports the folding 3rd row seat latch strikers could experience corrosio…

Bulletin 16-0069 · Seats · Apr 2016

FORD/MERCURY: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING SHEET METAL SUPPORT FOR FOLDING 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKERS CAN EXPERIENCE CORROSION AND WILL COMPROMISE MOUNTING POINT CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE. MODEL 2004-07 FREESTAR, MONTEREY. *PE

Bulletin TSB-14-0166 · Seats, Equipment Adaptive/mobility, Equipment · Sep 2014

FORD/MERCURY: SHEET METAL SUPPORTING FOLDING 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKERS WILL EXPERIENCE CORROSION AND COMPROMISE MOUNTING POINT FOR FORWARD PORTION OF 3RD ROW SEAT, IF VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR EXTENDED PERIOD. MODEL 2004-2007 FREESTAR,…

Bulletin TSB-14-0144 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility, Seats · Aug 2014

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 06B37. CRANK POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR INSPECTION. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY SEATED IN THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. IF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BECAME DISCONNECTED, THE ENGIN…

Bulletin 0637 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2006

REAR CLIMATE CONTROL NOISES - SERVICE TIP. *TT

Bulletin 19004 · Equipment · Jan 2006

LOW TIRE INDICATOR ON - TPMS SYSTEM SENSOR WAKE UP. *TT

Bulletin 0637 · Tires · Jan 2006

IGNITION DIAGNOSTICS. TO INCLUDE LINCOLN ZEPHYR 2006. *TT

Bulletin 05225 · Electrical System · Nov 2005

RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2296 - SERVICE TIP. *TT

Bulletin 18834 · Air Bags · Sep 2005

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MONTEREY FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Mercury Monterey

The Mercury Monterey is a series of full-size cars that were manufactured and marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1950 to 1974. Deriving its name from Monterey Bay, the initial Mercury Monterey served as the top-of-the-line two-door sedan model for 1950 and 1951 to compete with the hardtop models of Oldsmobile and Buick. It came with a vinyl roof covering, upgraded upholstery, and other features. The hardtop was introduced for 1952. During its production, the Monterey would be offered in multiple body styles, ranging from coupes, convertibles, sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2006 Mercury Monterey trims & engines on record

Trims
Luxury
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl 201 hp

2006 Mercury Monterey vehicles on record

Other Mercury Monterey model years

2006 Mercury Monterey — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Mercury Monterey have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mercury Monterey?

Across all 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, service brakes, hydraulic.

What is the 2006 Mercury Monterey safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2006 Mercury Monterey crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mercury Monterey get?

The 2006 Mercury Monterey has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2006 Mercury Monterey worth?

Comparable 2006 Mercury Monterey listings run roughly $1,500–$5,200, typically around $3,300 (from 5 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.