Head-to-head reliability
Mercury Montego vs FORD F 150
How the Mercury Montego and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercury Montego vs FORD F 150: The Montego averaged 85.3 complaints per year over 3 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,131.1 over 10 years. The Montego had 3 recalls and 11 injuries; the F-150 had 145 recalls and 287 injuries. Both show power train and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercury Montego or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercury Montego
The Mercury Montego is a sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with. Over three years, it averaged 85.3 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the power train, vehicle speed control, and electrical system. Many reports describe sudden loss of power, transmission jerking, and cruise control failures, which can be both frustrating and potentially dangerous. With only 3 recalls, owners may face out-of-pocket repairs for problems that feel like they should be recalled.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—averaging 1,131.1 complaints per year over ten years. The most frequent problem areas are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners report hard shifting, loss of power, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. With 145 recalls, many issues have been addressed, but the sheer number of complaints suggests that some problems persist.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercury Montego | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 256 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 85.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercury Montego
- 01POWER TRAIN86
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL50
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
- 04ENGINE30
- 05SERVICE BRAKES26
Owners report sudden loss of power, harsh jerking, and transmission slipping into neutral. One complaint describes accelerating to pass and the car suddenly losing power, which could leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Complaints include cruise control failing to disengage when the brake is pressed, and throttle control transmission failures that cause the vehicle to stop in traffic. These issues can make the car unpredictable and hard to control.
Drivers report instrument cluster gauges dropping to zero and flickering, as well as jerking and clunking that feels like the transmission will drop out. Electrical gremlins can be costly to diagnose and fix.
Some owners experience lurching when shifting from park or neutral, and a burning odor with loss of power steering. These symptoms suggest engine and transmission coordination problems that can be dangerous in tight spaces.
“MY CAR HAS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE, I CALLED AND WAS TOLD SORRY YOUR 189,000 IS OVER 150,000 LIMIT TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS YET. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL VS A CUSTOMER CARE ISSUE. I DROVE TO MY SON'S ON MONDAY AND CAR LOSS POW…”
“I AM ALSO IN THE GROUP OF BAMBOOZLED PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE OF OWNING A 2006 MERCURY MONTEGO. RECENTLY ON A 90 MILE TRIP ABOUT 40 MILES IN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 GOING UP A HILL I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE AND MY CAR SUDDENLY AND UN…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report hard or delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission, and instances where the truck loses all power and shuts off. This can happen at speed, increasing crash risk.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These electrical faults can distract the driver and affect safety features.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though specific symptoms aren't detailed in the sample. However, with 1,164 complaints, issues like failing headlights or taillights are common and can reduce visibility.
Engine problems are reported, though the sample complaints focus more on transmission and electrical. Still, with 847 complaints, buyers should be aware of potential engine-related issues that may require costly repairs.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercury Montego — 3 recalls
The defect: 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 FUE…
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
The defect: 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,…
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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).
The risk: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Mercury Montego or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercury Montego has far fewer complaints per year (85.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the F-150's higher volume is partly due to its much larger sales. In practice, the Montego's issues tend to be transmission and throttle-related, while the F-150's are more varied, including electrical and lighting problems. Both have serious safety-related complaints, so neither should be considered trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Montego averages 85.3 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1, but the F-150 sells in much higher numbers.
- Montego owners frequently report sudden power loss and cruise control failures; F-150 owners report hard shifting and transmission shutdowns.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus only 3 for the Montego, meaning many F-150 issues may have been addressed by dealers.
- Electrical problems are prominent in both, but the F-150 also has many exterior lighting complaints, which are not a top issue for the Montego.
- During a test drive, check for sudden loss of power or hesitation when accelerating, especially uphill or when passing—this matches multiple power train complaints.
- Test the cruise control: engage it and then press the brake to ensure it disengages properly; failure to do so is a reported safety issue.
- Pay attention to transmission behavior: look for hard or delayed shifts, jerking, or clunking, especially between gears 4-5 and 5-6, as these are commonly reported.
- Check for electrical warnings on the dashboard, such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' which owners say appear frequently.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls were performed, especially for the F-150 which has many.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, as these are the most complained-about areas for both vehicles.
- During a test drive, deliberately test acceleration, braking, and cruise control to reproduce reported symptoms.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and electrical repairs.
- Check for any open recalls by entering the VIN on the NHTSA website before purchase.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercury Montego or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercury Montego vs FORD F 150
- Mercury Montego total complaints
- 256
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercury Montego total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercury Montego avg complaints/year
- 85.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Montego
- Mercury Montego top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN