Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (45.9% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 8.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 130 · 45.9% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
| Power Train | 70 · 24.7% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
| Seats | 15 · 5.3% | Recalled | Recall 13V081000 |
| Structure:body | 14 · 4.9% | Investigation closed | EQ12010 · EA12003 → recall 13V081000 · PE11039 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter | 12 · 4.2% | Recalled | Recall 12V006000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 · 3.5% | Investigation closed | PE10033 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 283 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 12V006000 · 2012 · reported 01/09/2012
THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V081000 · 2013 · reported 03/07/2013
In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V457000 · 2003 · reported 11/06/2003
IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V446000 · 2004 · reported 09/13/2004
IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“SUDDEN (AND SILENT) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY WITH 59876 MILES. STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT, PROCEEDED ON GREEN LIGHT AND ACCELERATED TO…”NHTSA complaint 10365400 — filed 11/11/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“2004 MERCURY MONTEREY 59,700 MILES AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. AFTER REVIEWING A BUNCH…”NHTSA complaint 10362991 — filed 10/30/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING OUR 2004 MERCURY MONTEREY HAD DRIVETRAIN ISSUES. WE WERE AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN WE WENT TO ACCELERATE THE VAN DID…”NHTSA complaint 10361732 — filed 10/22/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 130 of 283 NHTSA complaints (45.9%), followed by power train (70), seats (15), structure:body (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
283 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V006000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
