DecodedCars2006 Mercury Monterey
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Engines
- 4.2L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Overview
The 2006 Mercury Monterey is a minivan offered with a 4.2L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 21 highway), 9% worse than the 2006 minivan average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Monterey — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Monterey →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Wagon FWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -9% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Mercury Monterey under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Mercury Monterey (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Toyota Sienna | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2006 Kia Sedona | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Honda Odyssey | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Chrysler Town and Country | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Nissan Quest | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Ford Freestar | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Seats · Mar 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V081000 · 196,667 vehicles
- Problem
- 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, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
- Risk
- In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2006 Mercury Monterey is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Mercury Monterey buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 16 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Seats — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Mercury Monterey. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Monterey years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Monterey | 17 | – | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2005 Monterey | 18 | – | Not rated | 2 | 19 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercury. How we calculate this →