MercuryMonterey2006Overview/mercury/monterey/2006/base/

2006 Mercury Monterey

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Monterey.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Mercury Monterey is a van that carries a 5.0‑quart oil capacity and is lubricated with 5W‑20 API‑rated oil, paired with an Automatic 4‑speed transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 15 city/21 highway/17 combined mpg. Its powertrain accounts for the majority of the 44 total owner complaints recorded for the model year, with only three recall actions issued. Within the 20042007 complaint window, 2006’s figures sit well below the 2004 peak of 283 complaints but above the 2007 low of seven, marking a mid‑cycle reliability profile that researchers can treat as representative of the model’s stability.

Model year200720062005200419741973197219711970

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts118 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 2.25. With auxiliary A/C, 3.31. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 10.00. With auxiliary A/C, 12.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs / 75 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.141 in / 0.748 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.118 in / 0.724 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Mercury Monterey shows a sharp decline in federal complaints, falling from 283 in 2004 to 44 in 2006, and further down to 7 in 2007, indicating a clear downward trend. Recalls also dropped from five in 2004 to three in 2006, while investigations and TSBs mirrored this reduction, suggesting fewer safety or reliability concerns. Power‑train issues dominate the remaining complaints, accounting for 29 of the 44 reports, but there are no recorded crash or fire complaints for the year. Compared to its predecessors, 2006 sits near the bottom of the complaint/recall arc, implying improved reliability for that model year. Therefore, 2006 is a relatively good year to consider buying a used Monterey, though buyers should still scrutinize power‑train components.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
14
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
44
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train29
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control3
Power Train,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Engine1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V081000SeatsReported 07/03/2013

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… Remedy: 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…

06V069000Structure:Body:Hatchback/LiftgateReported 09/03/2006

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 14 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 460852016-09-21Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB1600692016-04-21SeatsSafety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers…
16-00692016-04-21SeatsFor 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for…
TSB-14-01662014-09-09SeatsFORD/MERCURY: SAFETY RECALL REGARDING SHEET METAL SUPPORT FOR FOLDING 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH…
TSB-14-01442014-08-11Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD/MERCURY: SHEET METAL SUPPORTING FOLDING 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKERS WILL EXPERIENCE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Monterey. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Monterey take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Monterey have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Monterey get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.