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 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Mercury Montego, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 22% |
| Power train | 7 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2007 Mercury Montego. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
REFERENCE TSB 11-10-21, THE CAR WILL SURGE AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY WHEN AT LOW IDLE AND SLOWLY MOVING AT TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR SUCH AS PARKING IN A PARKING LOT. IF THE DRIVER ISN'T QUICK-RE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF MY CAR ACCELERATING WHILE IN A LOWER RPM SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT, DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND PARKING LOTS. ESPECIALLY INCREASED INSTANCES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I GOT MY 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO PREMIER FROM MY MOM, WHO I BOUGHT IT FROM. AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS ONLY 52,000 MILES ON IT. AT 52,000 MILES, WHENEVER THE CAR WOULD BE PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. OVE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HESITATED TO UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS UNLATCHED, IT NO LONGER LATCHED I
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE KNOWN AS THE SMART JUNCTION BOX HAS FAILED 3 TIMES SINCE NEW.THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER"S WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND IT FAILED AGAIN. THIS PART I
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED, VEHICLE LIGHTS ALL FLICKERED THE LOST POWER..ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, WAS ABLE TO COAST VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF 35W, APPLY BRAKES AND STOP. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED WITHIN A FEW MINUTE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2007 Mercury Montego. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FU
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | 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 36 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 8 of them (22%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 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 69/100. 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.