2005 Mercury Monterey Luxury
2MRDA22225BJ05229
Vehicle history report for the 2005 Mercury Monterey Luxury (VIN 2MRDA22225BJ05229). Blue, minivan, 4.2L 6-cyl 201 hp, gasoline. 124,860 mi reported. Registered in Nj. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 4 recall campaigns exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Owners most often report power train trouble on this model — inspect it closely.
- Lower mileage than typical for the year.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN 2MRDA22225BJ05229, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 4 recall campaigns for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2005 Mercury Monterey data →
📋 All factory specifications on file6 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
⚙️ Engine, fuel & battery
📐 Body, chassis & dimensions
🛡️ Safety & driver assistance
🏭 Manufacturing & other
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2005 Mercury Monterey with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Crash-test safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mercury Monterey.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, tested as the 2005 Mercury Monterey. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2005 Mercury Monterey costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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 6
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 2012Corrosion 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 2013Service Jack Failure Closed
The subject vehicles (SV) are all automatic transmission, front wheel drive vehicles with hand actuated mechanical park brakes. The investigation focused on allegations that the service jack failed and caused the vehicles to fall. The subject scissors-type jack appears to fail at the slotted hinge joints where the jack screw is located (bends at mid-point). The failures occur while the jack is in use, and vehicle mov…
NHTSA #PE11033 · Equipment · opened Sep 2011 · closed Dec 2012Engine 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 2011Transmission Torque Converter Failure Closed
On January 4, 2012 Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall No. 12V-006) to NHTSA regarding a defect in the performance of the transmission torque converter for approximately 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles. The supplier of the torque converter manufactured converters containing a pump shaft spline that did not consistently meet the specified heat treatment requiremen…
NHTSA #EA09016 · Power Train · opened Nov 2009 · closed Feb 2012TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE Closed
ODI HAS RECEIVED 227 OWNER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. OF THOSE COMPLAINTS, 124 CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINES STRIPPING CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. THE REMAINING 103 COMPLAINTS EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER BUT THE SPECIFIC INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSE WITHIN THE…
NHTSA #PE09033 · Power Train · opened Jul 2009 · closed Nov 2009An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 41
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 41.
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 2016Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action
Bulletin TSB160069 · Seats · Apr 2016For 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 2016FORD/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 2014FORD/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 2014REAR CLIMATE CONTROL NOISES - SERVICE TIP. *TT
Bulletin 19004 · Equipment · Jan 2006RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2296 - SERVICE TIP. *TT
Bulletin 18834 · Air Bags · Sep 2005SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT
Bulletin 042421 · Seat Belts · Jun 2005SERVICE WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
Bulletin 04147 · Electrical System · Jun 2005INABILITY TO PLAY HOME MADE CD ON SINGLE CD AUDIO SYSTEM WITHOUT MP3 CAPABILITY. *EH
Bulletin 18448 · Equipment · Mar 2005Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MONTEREY. 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.
Safety recall campaigns 4
SEATS
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, Rho…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #13V081000 · manufacturer #13S01 · 07/03/2013POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA Campaign #12V006000 · manufacturer #11S25 · 09/01/2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #06E056000 · 13/06/2006STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #06V069000 · manufacturer #06S42 · 09/03/2006These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 4 Nov 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Mercury Monterey, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🚑 7 reported injuries
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 119
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2005 Mercury Monterey.
POWER TRAIN
The contact's fiancée owns a 2005 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated while his fiancée was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond and inadvertently stopped. The contact’s fiancée pushed the vehicle over the third of a mile by herself until she received assistance to push the vehicle to a parki…
NHTSA ODI #11482079POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WHILE SWITCHING GEARS THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER FORSOM LAKE FORD (12755 FOLSOM BLVD, FORSOM LAKE CA.) WAS NO…
NHTSA ODI #11307746ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY IN FEB/MARCH 2018, IN JULY OF 2018 I GO OUT TO START MY VAN TO LEAVE AND NOTHING HAPPENS WONT START, SO WE LOOK UNDER THE HOOD EVERY THING SEEMS FINE, I CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, OIL SPILLS OUT ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY, THERE IS A HUGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE, SO WE HAD A USED ENGINE PUT IN MARCH 2019, SEPT …
NHTSA ODI #11255668STRUCTURE,SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CARPET ON THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR WAS MOIST. ALSO, THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH WAS SO CORRODED THAT THE CONTACT COULD SEE THE GROUND. THE CONTACT CALLED WESTLAND FORD DEALER (801) 629-5500 (LOCATED AT 3450 WALL AVE, OGDEN, UT 84401) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN AND STATE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN…
NHTSA ODI #11176569POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. RIVERTOWN FORD (1680 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904, (706) 653-7420) INDICATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL M…
NHTSA ODI #11155166STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK CLOSED UNINTENTIONALLY WHILE IN USE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SPARE TIRE COULD NOT BE REACHED BECAUSE THE HATCHBACK FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. FOX FORD MAZDA (3560 28TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512, (616) 956-5511) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD HA…
NHTSA ODI #11122949AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. TRAVELING ON ROAD APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. TRIED RO AVOID HITTING SOME DEER WHO SUDDENLY RAN OUT FROM THE WOODS IN FRONT IF MY VAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DEFLATED AFTER IT HIT THE DITCH. THEN THE VAN SWERVED INTO THE DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. FRONT WINDSHIELD CAME OUT BACK WINDOW CAME OUT. ROOF OF VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED. PASSENGER SIDE WAS…
Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #11113228AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCURY MONTEREY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND BRUISES TO THE TORSO WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS R…
Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #11105387+ 111 more complaints on record.
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