My son was driving my 2005 Mercury Monterey with his 2 year old and 9 year old in the van down a very busy road at approximately 50mph when all of a sudden the van's engine started racing and all power was lost. He was forced to get off the road with no power. Once off the road he checked all gears and nothing worked. We had to get it towed to our house to await going to the shop on Monday. Now that I have looked online I see that there are hundreds of claims about a faulty transmission that you are currently investigating. Our van did exactly what happened and almost cause a major accident with my son and two grandkids.

- Seminole, FL, USA

Driving down the highway at a speed of 55 mph when my transmission just failed. I had no gears (forward or reverse) and had the van towed to the repair shop. The vehicle is a 2005 Mercury Monterey with about 81,000 miles.

- Mont Vernon, NH, USA

Driving down route 3 Virginia...car stopped having forward propulsion. Had to have it towed 65 dollars. And then to shop..they are saying 3500 + for replacement. Transmission - needed at less then 65,000 miles.

- Locust Grove, VA, USA

2005 Mercury Monterey transmission failure.

- Finleyville, PA, USA

We have a 2005 Mercury Monterey van. I have read numerous reports regarding transmission failures in which the us government has failed to react to. It happened to my wife and I on Sunday, June 21, 2010 at approximately 9pm while traveling on a busy 4 lane road. We were proceeding home and the transmission completely dis-engaged leaving us powerless in the left lane of the road. Fortunately we were able to avoid traffic and safely get the vehicle off the road. What I don't understand is the neglect associated with this defect as I have read numerous reports of families put in harm's way with the associated transmission problems that the NHTSA and Ford are aware of. Have eyes been turned because this is an american company? you guys jumped all over Toyota for problems. I expect an answer!

- Sherwood, AR, USA

We were driving our 2005 Mercury Monterey minivan about 45 mph on a fairly busy street when the car began losing speed. My husband thought maybe the car had slipped into neutral so he downshifted from drive to 3 but still no power. He tried lower gears and he stepped on the gas several times. The tachometer responded but the car would not accelerate or go into any gear. We were fortunate enough to be able to coast to a nearby parking lot without being struck but the car would not go into any gear. It was like the transmission totally failed. No warning lights, no noises, nothing alerted us that the transmission was about to fail. It was a little frightening and very frustrating.

- Helotes, TX, USA

Driving on a flat residential road at 30 mph my minivan lost power. The engine continued to run and the van rolled to a stop on the side of the road. The transmission would not engage forward or reverse. The van was towed to a repair shop and the estimate for the repair is $3000. Old parts are available.

- Victoria, MN, USA

I have a 2005 Mercury Monterey minivan. When the incident happened in September 2009, it had 87,728 miles (based on repair bill dated 9/16/2009). On that September, 2009 evening, I was driving on us 27, and was coming up on a slight hill, and all of a sudden without any warning sign, I lost acceleration. I couldn't even make a turn to a side rode, it just stopped! later a police car pulled over, and helped me to push my van to the side. I had the van towed to the dealer, and was told that my torque converter assembly needed to be replaced, and it cost me $2000! however, ever since I took my van back, every now and then, after I stopped at the red light, I have trouble to accelerate. When I accelerate, the transmission acts like it's at neutral, and the RPM would shoot up, and the van jolt forward. I have to let my foot up and then gently press several times for the van to slowly gain speed while all other cars just have to drive around to pass me. And when this happens, it felt almost like last September, and I worried the van will quit on me again. I had take the van back to the dealer twice for them to investigate this problem, but both time they said they could not duplicate the problem, so nothing could be done. (it's true that it doesn't happen all the time, it's kind of unpredictable). I'm kind of scared of driving this van, because I don't know when it will just stop right in middle of road again.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Monterey. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle began stuttering and shifting hard. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center where the contact was informed that the failure was caused by the automatic transmission which needed to be replaced. The mechanic pulled the pan from the transmission and found copper shavings attached to the magnet area. The vehicle was repaired at the transmission center. When the contact called the manufacturer, he was told that he was responsible for the repair costs. The failure mileage was 89,048.

- Independence, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Monterey. While driving at approximately 30 mph during rainy and snowy weather conditions, the vehicle suddenly lost power. He had to take his foot off the brake and roll backward to get into the emergency lane. The vehicle was then towed to a dealership where it was located at the time of the complaint. The dealer advised the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact had not called the manufacturer in regards to the failure. The contact is unable to provide a vehicle identification number at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were approximately 54,000.

- Umrrieta, CA, USA

Transmission failure without warning on my 2005 Mercury Monterey van. This car was well maintained. Transmission fluid level was found to be okay. Torque converter failed. I was parked at the time at university parking lot where I work. Started engine, no noise or indication on electronic warning system, and when put into gear the system simply was in neutral. Had to have vehicle towed to dealers where they did the repair. They also noted no apparent indications that this was problem as they noted if there was recall that I should keep my bill and that should be covered. It was lucky that this occurred when it did as I usually travel freeway home at rush hour. No accident or other event from the occurrence - which was also a blessing. I have been a Ford owner for many years and was surprised by this failure. Upon searching the internet I noted that other 2005 Montereys were also showing same problem and that NHTSA was doing a study, so I felt it was important to let you know of this problem. I can imagine that this would be very unsafe if the failure had occurred when driving. Car is now repaired and appears to be in proper working order.

- Benton, AR, USA

Driving down the road and lost all power to front wheels. Fluid levels good. Fluid not burnt or discolored.

- Gladstone, MO, USA

Transmission issues, will just go out while driving down the freeway! engine will then shut off leaving me without anyway to steer or brake!

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

I drove my 2005 Mercury Monterey to take my daughter to school this morning and came right home. About two hours later, had to leave and started car. I put car into reverse and nothing happened. Without any warning what so ever, my car no longer appears to have a working transmission. No matter what gear it is in, nothing at all happens. Car has just been towed to mechanic to be looked at first thing in the morning. Car has just over 53,000 miles. After reading the numerous other victims of this transmission problem, I am thankful it at least happened at my own home rather than being out somewhere with my kids in tow - or worse off while driving! still doesn't make this any better of a situation to be dealing with.

- Lithia, FL, USA

My wife was backing out of a parking space at her job. She then put the vehicle in gear and it would not move. The transmission quit working without warning. There were no warning lights or any sign of a problem prior to the incident. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership.

- Deridder, LA, USA

Took the kids to the movies and drove around town for a good part of the day. About an hour after getting home I had to go to the store I got into the van and started the engine the RPM's went up to about 4K. I backed out of the driveway and put the van into drive. The RPM's went up again to about 4K again. After driving for about 20 feet the van lost power, then engine was still on but the van would not move. I stepped on the gas and the engine turned off. Per the Ford dealer it appears to be a transmission problem that is currently being investigated and might not be covered by my extended warranty.

- Fresno, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Monterey and while drivign 60 mph the transmission failed. The failure only happened once. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The failure miles were 74382 and 75301 are the current miles.

- Mccormick, SC, USA

Re: 2005 Mercury Monterey transmission. As noted in other posts, my wife was traveling to work at 6:15 in the morning (dark), heard a strange sound and immediately the cars systems all stopped and she struggled to get it to the side of the road. Aaa towed the car to a well known a reputable repair service and they were able to very quickly diagnose a complete transmission failure. Estimated cost of the repair was $2500-3000. Dealer cost before discounts was $3795 down to $2217. Dealer, fiesta Lincoln Mercury in mesa, AZ. Refuses to acknowledge that this is a known serious issue. Mileage on the vehicle is 40,292. As is so with many others, I am in no position to lay out that kind of money, so vehicle is sitting in our driveway. I understand that investigations like this can take some time, but we are dealing not only with a significant repair issue and a safety issue. I find it amazing that no one has been hurt or killed when their vehicle fails in the middle of a freeway.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

Please add me to your already long list of people begging for a recall on the 2005 Mercury Monterey transmission issues.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

Our 2005 Mercury Monterey's transmission stopped working as my wife and 4 kids were driving on a busy Kansas City highway. She had vehicles behind her in front and to the side of her, now she was coasting on a 70mph highway trying to find a way to get to the shoulder with 2 kids crying and 2 yelling why are you stopping in the middle of the road. With cars swerving all around her, luckily she did make it. Now they are sitting in the van just barely off the highway for 2 hours with cars just feet away driving 70-80mph.I have to borrow another vehicle large enough to go get them, because we all can't fit in my truck. Now I'm parked behind them with flashers on trying to unload 4 kids and car seats ages 1 to 10, with cars driving by 70 to 80mph. I get them home safely. I have it towed to Ford dealership they charge me $160 just to tell me it has a bad transmission, output shaft or torque converter, and to fix it would be 3,000, I ask the service manager if this is a common problem, and he said no. Well as far as I'm concerned he just flat out lied. Now we all know the truth. This should be a safety recall now!!!!!

- Louisburg, KS, USA