IN FREEZING WEATHER, DOOR LATCHES WILL NOT LATCH AND THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS LEFT OUTSIDE AND IS NOT "FIXED" UNTIL THE DOOR MECHANISMS WARM UP FROM BEING IN THE SUN. DUE TO THIS ISSUE WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DOORS LATCH AGAIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL (#06S45), BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED AND W…
2005 Mercury Montego body problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I BOUGHT A 2005 MERCURY MONTEGO USED IN 2012. STARTING LAST YEAR DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WHEN YOU GO TO CLOSE IT THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. IT WILL LATCH ONCE THE WEATHER HAS WARMED UP OR THE CAR ITSELF HAS WARMED UP ENOUGH INSIDE. THE CONDITION GOES AWAY IN ANY OTHER WEATHER. THIS YEAR 2013 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. IVE LOOKED ONLINE AND I SEE A FORD RECA…
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2005 Mercury Montego?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.