One problem related to carrier/rack has been reported for the 2004 Mercury Montego. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Opened lift gate to remove package from trunk area, hinge broke and the lift gate fell on my husband's head. He was struck with the hitch/locking mechanism. Wondering if these lift gates issues (including those recalled for 2002 & 2003 models) have any correlation to the lift gate panels cracking from below the wiper assembly, around the logo, to the bottom of the lift gate panel. I am really struggling with the reasoning that there are not enough complaints for the 2004 model to issue a recall. Is it going to take some getting hit just right in the head and dying? there is no warning.