Mercury Monterey owners have reported 4 traction control system related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common traction control system problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's traction control system (4 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Traction Control System problems |
Pulling out into hwy to cross traffic, car quit accelerating. Started "jumping" like out of gas. Was sitting crosswise in the road now, with cars coming from both directions, just kept pushing gas, and it'd move a few inches at a time. Finally got across into lane, and had to drive it like that to turn off a few hundred yards. Turned ignition off, and on, and was normal again. Has done this several times, yet Ford says nothing is wrong.
Incident first occurred on 6/20/2010, on I-64. I was driving our 2004 Mercury Monterey when I realized that the transmission had slipped from d3 to d2. I stopped van and it worked fine after restarting, but was afraid to use it; only used several times for short trips in the interim - no problems, however, with the transmission. Took to dealer on 7/30 - 41,779 miles - extended warranty (esp) expired 2/5/10. Dealer replaced transmission range sensor and brake pressure switch at a cost of $325. 22, including diagnostic check. Dealer also flushed and filled transmission - twice to remove water - cost: $184. 87. I asked for the old parts - dealer did not return them. Picked up vehicle on 8/1/10; transmission worked fine, but the traction control system (tcs) light turned on and stayed on. Did not drive until 8/6 when I took it tire shop to have tires replaced - no cruise control and the tcs light was on. The service manager at the tire shop checked alldatapro. Com and found a TSB that indicated that Ford had learned that some 2004-2007 freestar and Monterey transmissions had water/moisture problems causing problems with the tcs, among other things. Also, in checking other complaints reported to NHTSA, found one where a Ford dealer noted that a transmission seal had failed allowing water to enter computer (transmission range sensor?) causing both computer and transmission to fail. On 8/7, found that dealer had not reconnected cruise control, and noticed that the tcs light turned on after depressing the brake twice. Then noticed that the transmission would not shift to drive 3 - stayed in d2 - back to the original problem from 6/20! stopped and started van again, no change in the transmission, and the tcs light turned on after pressing brake twice. Have not tried to drive the car today, and now, after reading many of the complaints regarding transmission failures in 2004 Montereys, I'm not sure if I should even attempt to drive it the 38 miles back to the dealer.
About 1 out of every 100 times I drive my 2007 Mercury Monterey van, the "advancetrac" system engages for no apparent reason. I lose control of acceleration, and must pull over, stop, and completely shut down the van, and start it up again to regain control. I have taken it to the dealer and told them about it, but they don't do anything because they say it doesn't happen when they test drive it. This has occurred on sunny days, on dry pavement, on highways, back roads, anytime anywhere really. I have not been in an accident because of it, but have almost been hit several times trying to get out of the way when it has happened. It is always very scary and very frustrating that the dealer won't do anything about it.
I do not know the dates or mileages at the time, I'm sure it was over 36,000 miles or else I would have taken it into the dealer. Actually the first time I may have, and they probably said "your car didn't throw out a code" I've heard that many times. . . On at least two occasions, possibly three, I hit the brakes *lightly* in dry weather and it sets off the traction control. One time I was rushing my son to the hospital and I could not go over 40 miles an hour, I was on a highway so I could not safely pull over (that was not the first time it had happened so I knew I needed to stop and shut the car off to "reset" it. I just cried all the way to the hospital). I believe it went off when I tapped the brakes to get onto the onramp, I had a "yield". Another time I was on a busy two-lane road with traffic behind me, that may have been the first time it happened because I was freaked out. I could not go the minimum speed on the road and I could not pull over (no shoulder). At the stop light I did everything I could think of to get it working again. I tried shifting into park, but that did not help. I think I made it to the next light and turned the car off and it restarted fine. Actually, this issue probably happened 4 or 5 times overall. I believe it happened to my husband once, then he finally believe me. This should be looked into as well.