Mercury Milan Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls ā NHTSA data
Comparing used Mercury Milan options? We analyzed 6 model years (2006ā2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Mercury Milan? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns ā they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mercury Milan has 2,575 owner complaints and 44 safety recalls across model years 2006ā2011. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2010 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mercury
- Model
- Milan
- Model years analyzed
- 2006ā2011 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 2,575
- Safety recall campaigns
- 44
- Crash-related complaints
- 97
- Fire-related complaints
- 11
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2010 (1,060 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2011 (190 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mercury Milan: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used ā lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record ā lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MERCURY MILAN has 2,575 NHTSA complaints and 44 recalls on record. 97 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 2,575 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 44 federal recall campaigns
- 97 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
44 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
EQUIPMENT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
EQUIPMENT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2006ā2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 2,575 NHTSA complaints ā these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
2,575 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owned a 2006 Mercury Milan. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the contact no longer own the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified several times via phone, online, and in person.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Milan. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was an extensive amount of time between depressing the brake pedal and when the vehicle would come to a stop. Occasionally, the contact had to pump the brake pedal to assist while stopping the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic,) and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the HCU had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Ray Skillman Ford (1250 US 31 S, Greenwood, IN 46143), who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was no longer covered under the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 166,230.
I have a safety recall I did a yr ago at ford dealership in hazelwood at Saint Louis mo Iām reporting them because they never fixed my recall I waited for my part for a while and I believe they never put it on now my ABS is getting worse and I need a recall to be fixed right
The contact owns a 2006 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while his 16-year-old daughter was driving in traffic and was making a complete stop while she was depressing on the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that his daughter desperately depressed on the brake pedal and felt the brake pedal travel the floorboard but failed to respond causing her to strike the hitch of the vehicle in front of her causing front damage to the vehicle. No major injuries were reported and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact explained to the dealer that the vehicle experienced the same failure as recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and that there was no failure with the brakes. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure was approximate 150.000.
1. The Airbag light on the driver side is on 2. The vehicle under is extensively rusty 3. Braking is very slow
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 19V904 APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE AND IS NOW OVER A YEAR OLD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO ISSUE A REMEDY. THIS IS FAR TOO LONG FOR A RECALL TO BE IN PLACE AND STILL NOT HAVE A FIX. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE NOW HAS A SECOND RECALL, 21V158. HOW LONG WILL THIS ALL TAKE?
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAMELBACK FORD (1330 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 635-7551). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.
MY BREAK PADDLE IS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER DAYS, IS HARD TO BREAK FROM A SHORT DISTANCE. FEELS LIKE IS DOESN'T WANT TO STOP.
WHEN DIVING ON ANY ROAD IN WINTER CONDITIONS THE BACK END STARTS TO WIGGLE SIDE TO SIDE EVEN WITH NEW TIRES 15 MPH AND UP NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO REAR END GOES LEFT TO RIGHT BACK AND FORTH VERY UNEASY FEELING LIKE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL MAKES OTHER DRIVERS NERVOUS SEEING IT THERE'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT WITH HOW MANY CLAIMS OF THIS HAPPENING TOO MANY PEOPLE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY AND STILL LEFT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE A FAMILY ME MY WIFE AND 5 KIDS JUST ON MY INCOME I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MONEY FOR GUESSING GAMES IT'S [XXX] STOP PLAYING AROUND PLEASE BEFORE PEOPLE START CRASHING AND GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT OR DEAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS CAR WAS SOLD 3 YRS AGO FOR PARTS ONLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V904000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, MURRAY'S FORD LINCOLN (3007 BLINKER PKWY, DUBOIS, PA 15801; (800) 371-6601) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
MY CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED RESULTING IN A CRASH INTO THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH CARS WERE GETTING READY TO ENTER THE MAIN ROAD FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS STARTING TO PROCEED AND WE HAD TO STOP AND WAIT FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT DID NOT STOP BEFORE I HIT THE CAR. RECALL # 19S54
OPERATOR DOOR HANDLE BROKEN PAWL SPRING TAB, DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE DRIVING
MOUNTING BOLT CONTINUOUSLY UNWINDS AND BREAKS INSIDE PULLEY CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO TEAR AND/OR COME UNDONE. SAME BOLT @ LEAST 4(FOUR) TIMES WITHN A SEVERAL MONTH PERIOD. (OCTOBER 2018-MAY 2019)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 MERCURY MILAN ON 65MPH HIGHWAY ENGINE STARTED SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS REVING UP. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN DRASTICALLY. A SMALL WARNING LIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE A WRENCH CAME ON. AFTER SHUTTING ENGINE OFF I RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MADE IT HOME WITH LIGHT OFF. NOW EACH TIME I START TO DRIVE ANYWHERE WRENCH LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND ENGINE SEEMS TO REV UP AND UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED. VEHICLE IS ALSO IDLING FAST. I'VE NOTED PER ONINE CONVERSATION THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH MERCURY MILAN VEHICLES. UNCERTAIN IF THIS IS RECURRING ISSUE AS I'VE OWNED CAR LESS THAN 30DAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. ONE MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS), THE AIR BAG AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO KEITH HAWTHORNE FORD OF BELMONT (704-825-5186, LOCATED AT 617 N MAIN ST, BELMONT, NC 28012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000. *BF *AS
HAD AIR BAG REPLACE APRIL 8 2019 RECALL. BUT AIR BAG ICON STAYS ON. DEALER WHO DID WORK WOULDN'T FIX. SAYING IT'S NOT PART OF RECALL. SO HOW DO I KNOWN THIS NEW AIR BAG WORKING PROPERLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) AT MURPHY FORD (3310 TOWNSHIP LINE RD, CHESTER, PA 19013, 610-494-8800). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,103. *TT*JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS). GRIECO FORD DELRAY BEACH (3000 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, 561-278-0303) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN IT WOULD GO OFF. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AIRBAGS. I HAD NO IDEA WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR FOR 2 YEARS THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR IS MOTION AND WHILE ON IN TOWN STREETS
Showing 20 of 2,575 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mercury Milan
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations ā hereās what each number actually tells you about a used Mercury Milan, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is ā but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mercury Milan has 2,575 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mercury Milan has 44 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 97 of the Mercury Milan's 2,575 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions ā a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable ā simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mercury Milan vehicles on the road ā not any specific car. Two Mercury Milan vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage ā NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mercury Milan has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Mercury Milan stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Mercury Milan by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mercury Milan.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Mercury Milan reliability ā frequently asked questions
Is the Mercury Milan reliable?
Poor. The Mercury Milan has 2,575 NHTSA owner complaints and 44 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mercury Milan years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2010 (1,060 complaints), 2008 (451 complaints), 2007 (434 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mercury Milan problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (787 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (587 complaints); STEERING (349 complaints).
Does the Mercury Milan have recalls?
Yes ā 44 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Mercury Milan. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.