Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mercury Montego, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 15 | 18% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 11% |
| Engine | 7 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 6% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The throttle body on the 2006 Mercury Montego SHOULD HAVE been recalled just like the 2007 Mercury Montego that I owned previously was recalled. It has the SAME EXACT problem! The throttle is VERY DANGEROUS as it dumps f
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Montego. The contact stated that while parallel parking, the vehicle independently accelerated and lunged forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the fai
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Montego. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was jerking and shuddering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repa
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Drivers side rear toe bracket broke off the rear subframe. Rear subframe totally rusted through.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The throttle control transmission has failed me several times when I’m on the road. Thankfully it’s only left me stranded on the side of the freeway once but has made me stop during oncoming traffic several times. The wr
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE WHEN THE CRUISE IS SET AND IT APPROACHES ANY INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 15 of them (18%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.