2005 Mercury Montego Review
Price Estimate: $1,604 - $2,429
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Average price: $5,698
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Spacious cabin, huge trunk, smooth ride quality, available all-wheel drive, plenty of safety features.
Cons
- Mediocre engine performance, some low-grade interior materials, no stability control.
What’s new
The Montego is an all-new premium family sedan built on the Volvo S80 platform. Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available.
Edmunds says
Roomy, stylish and practical, the Montego is well suited for family duty, but with its mediocre engine performance and interior materials, it's simply one of many solid choices in the under-$30,000 price bracket.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
13 listings
- 97,030 miles
- 17 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- 191 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
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Located in Bridgeport, OH
- Features and Specs:
- 19 Combined MPG (17 City/23 Highway)
- Listing Information:
- VIN:
- 1MEFM43135G605511
- Stock:
- 123
- Certified Pre-Owned:
- No
- Listed since:
- 05-05-2026
- 82,149 miles
- 19 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- 650 mi away
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
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Located in Jacksonville, FL
Very clean and low miles sedan . We also have SUVs and pickup trucks.
- Features and Specs:
- 21 Combined MPG (19 City/26 Highway)
- Listing Information:
- VIN:
- 1MEFM42115G624690
- Stock:
- 624690
- Certified Pre-Owned:
- No
- Listed since:
- 05-05-2026
Owners' Opinions
What Owners Like
Owners consistently appreciate the 2005 Mercury Montego for its spacious and comfortable interior. Many note the elevated seating position, which enhances visibility and contributes to a feeling of safety on the road. The Montego’s large trunk is another highlight, accommodating everything from golf clubs to multiple pieces of luggage, making it an asset for frequent travelers. Its smooth and comfortable ride, along with supportive seating, is often mentioned as ideal for long trips. Handling receives positive feedback, particularly in inclement weather conditions, thanks to features like all-wheel drive and traction control. Despite mixed opinions on power, drivers commonly find the 203-horsepower V6 sufficient for their everyday needs, especially praising its responsive performance at higher speeds. Additionally, the Montego’s numerous safety features, including a five-star safety rating and optional packages, provide peace of mind to families and individual drivers alike.
Common Issues
The 2005 Mercury Montego often draws criticism for its braking performance. Numerous drivers report frequent issues with brake wear, particularly the rear brakes, which require replacement more often than anticipated. Some owners experience water accumulation in the rear doors, which can lead to rust if not addressed promptly. The dual-zone air conditioning system is another point of concern, with several accounts of warm air at idle and ineffective cooling unless at higher RPMs. The transmission can feel rough or sluggish, especially during cold starts or gear shifts. Engine hesitancy and occasional stalling problems are noted, sometimes requiring cleaning of components like the throttle body. These recurring issues highlight areas where the Montego’s driving experience might feel less refined compared to competitors.
Final Takeaways from Everyday Drivers
Drivers agree that the 2005 Mercury Montego strikes a balance between comfort and practicality for daily use. Despite some mechanical concerns, many find it a reliable choice over the years with regular maintenance. The comfortable seating and elevated driving position continue to appeal, creating a stress-free environment for commuting or family trips. Storage space is exceptional, accommodating everything from everyday groceries to travel gear with ease. While its engine performance may not win races, it provides competent and smooth power delivery for most driving scenarios. High safety ratings and practical features contribute to a sense of security on the road. Owners consistently appreciate its robust build and the peace of mind it offers, making.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$215/mo for Montego Luxury
Montego Luxury
vs
$244/mo
Avg. Large Car
Reliability
The 2005 Mercury Montego has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
2 recalls foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 06V383000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 06S45
- Manufactured from:
- 2004-02-16 to 2005-06-20
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 139537
- Defect Description:
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
- Defect Consequence:
- AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
- Recall Number:
- 05V515000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- 05S37
- Manufactured from:
- 2005-01-03 to 2005-06-21
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 123206
- Defect Description:
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
- Defect Consequence:
- IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Corrective Action:
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Warranty
3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 5 years / unlimited miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Mercury Montego Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(77%)
4(17%)
3(6%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Very reliable have lot of pros and cons
5 out of 5 starsAbrahim Yousif, 11/25/2015
2005 Mercury Montego Premier Fwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
I own a 2005 Mercury Montego Premier FWD V6, I bought it in 2014 with 160K miles and as of today 11/25/15 I have 178,139 Miles on the odometer. I will talk about all good and bad stuff about the car, but first let me talk about good stuff and everything I'm mentioning comes from my personal experience with this car. I love the huge trunk size you can loaded with many many stuff, The car … is a full size sedan which is very rare to find a sedan with the same size as this car now, a 6.1 guy can comfortably sit in any seat, for a 2005 car the interior looks nice and so classic,wish if they had auxiliary jack but it's missing it, Xenon lights and fog lights, visibility in this car is excellent and this is so critical, the tires are big enough to give you a good traction and ride quality of this car is something you will love, back up parking sensors are very helpful and one of my favorite features in this car, even I bought this car 9 years old with 160K miles but it has been a trouble free car as of today the only thing I ever changed is oil and I had to change one of the oxygen sensors which is not a big deal, the car takes me from 0-60 mph in 7 seconds. Now let me talk about the bad stuff, Brakes! yes brakes in this car are not as good as they should be in and they are really not good even though I changed the brakes they are still not good, the rear doors collects water if you wonder how! when it rains the water goes down inside the rear door and as I was told this is the way the car was designed, so when you drive in winter after rain you can hear the water when you stop the car or turn.
2005 Montego Premier AWD CVT
5 out of 5 starsDave Croft, 04/12/2010
2005 Mercury Montego Premier AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl CVT)
This is probably the last car I'll ever need to buy. I like everything about it. I've had dozens of cars and trucks before. This one's a keeper. It's comfortable and fun to drive. I've found the 3.0 liter to have plenty enough power for my needs and the gas mileage is amazing for this class of vehicle. Average 23-24 local driving and on a long trip using cruise control this thing jumps … up to an average of 32-33 mpg. Since 2007 I've driven it 40,000 miles. I bought it with 23,000 on it for a total of 63,000 miles. It runs like new. The Montego is built like a tank, rugged. The AWD coupled with Traction control and the CVT transmission work together allow the car to walk over any ice or snow.
Best Car Ever
5 out of 5 starsStan Dieckmann, 09/11/2015
2005 Mercury Montego Premier Fwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6A)
I bought my 2005 in 2009, it had 48K miles and had been a one owner car. It now has 162,000 and I took it to a shop to go through it front to back, to let me know their thoughts on if I should keep it or sell it. I like the car SO much, I am going to spend about $3,000 on it to make it "new" again. I have searched and searched for a car that I would like equally well, both new and … used, and I can't find it.
My wife's 2013 Ford Edge has all the new techno gadgets that I don't have, and I wish I did have, but I can add that after market. The car is such a good car. I take it to Ford for every service at 5,000 miles, change the transmission oil at 50,000, and what a car!
I can't think of any other car that I have looked at and researched that I am more willing to spend money on right now than the car I have. And I have the money and or credit to buy any car I want. Just so you know, I don't want a 7 Series BMW, I can't buy that, but I can buy a nice car. I like this car so much, I have looked at 2009's, both Ford and Mercury, to see if I could find the right one with low miles so I could stay with basically the same car, and I can't.
So another $3,000 and many more miles...here I come.
Most reliable car I have ever owned
5 out of 5 starsIsha, 09/08/2015
2005 Mercury Montego Premier AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl CVT)
Bought brand new and this car has been so reliable and never needed any major work just regular maintenance and nothing more.
2005 Montego Features & Specs
Luxury
| MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee | $24,365 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $215/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.2 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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