The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. While driving between 3-5 mph out of the driveway, the vehicle just stopped moving. The vehicle would drive in reverse, but would not go forward. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the contact was informed that a new transmission was needed. In addition, both sliding doors on the vehicle failed to close properly. The doors would pin an adult or bounce back open instead of closing as they should. The doors were repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 52,000.

- Camden, NY, USA

My wife and kids were driving our 2004 Mercury Monterey with 52,000 miles on it. Traveling at 45 mph when suddenly the vehicle seems to shift into neutral with no prior warnings or problems. This was a very dangerous situation as the road is very narrow with few places to pull over. Had this happened in traffic or at highway speed they may have been rearended. The transmission had let go. Torque converter shot and a total rebuild needed. This appears to be a problem that is occurring at an alarming rate as I find many other people with the same situation. I pulled the transmission myself and had someone rebuild it for me. I then reinstalled the transmission. This was the only way I could afford to fix the problem on a vehicle my family requires.

- Roanoke, WV, USA

I was pulling out of an intersection on to a state route and just as I got into the lane my transmission popped into neutral. I had to coast to the side of the road causes the cars behind me to hit their brakes and go around me to keep from hitting each other.

- Findlay, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact experienced transmission failure while driving 5 mph. The failure caused the vehicle to stop in the middle of the intersection. There were no warning lights illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic, but the results indicated that the transmission was fine. The failure and current mileages were 78,000.

- Jaffrey, NH, USA

Driving home from a family road trip, car began slipping and went into neutral. Will not go into drive or reverse. No accident, but very close calls during stop and go traffic on the way home. Very stressful situation for a 2004 Mercury Monterey with 69,000 miles on it.

- Maineville, OH, USA

At 44,000 miles, with absolutely no warning, my transmission simply quit working. Luckily I was on a small street and not a major highway. I had my van towed to the dealership from which I purchased the vehicle. Turns out the torque converter had disintegrated into lumps of metal. Since I had purchased the extended warranty I wasn't worried. What a dreamer! the Ford people said since I had not had the transmission fluid changed at 30,000 miles (would not have prevented this problem) they didn't and wouldn't have to pay for the repair. I had it towed to another dealership who said the same thing. Both dealerships claimed that they had never encountered this problem before. I have since found out it is a widely known problem. I had the car towed to aamco (I will give Ford no more of my money). The mechanic there told me that the transmission Ford put into these vans is too small for the engine. That is why they are all going out. It is truly a design flaw by Ford. Unfortunately no one is holding them responsible. The repair cost me almost $3500. Somebody should do something about this.

- Sterling, VA, USA

I purchased a 2004 Mercury Monterey van new in June 2004. It has 69K miles. I was driving on interstate 44 at milepost 46 in Missouri at 70 mph when suddenly the engine revs up and the van is not engaged in gear. It was a scary experience trying to get the vehicle from the passing lane to the shoulder when traffic is heavy and you only can coast to the shoulder. I am extremely happy that we were not injured and we did not injure anyone else. We had the vehicle towed to a nearby Ford dealer. The torque converter was replaced in 8 days. According to the dealer there was a nationwide shortage of the part. The service writer also indicated to me that he has personally has written repair orders on three similar models within the past year with less miles than my van. My internet search also indicated pages of similar breakdown on the Ford product. I have contacted Ford and they do not plan on any recall or restitution. Although I have been inconvenienced and responsible for the $1,800 in related repair cost, I hope and pray that no one will be killed with this parts failure that gives you no advance warning.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

2004 Mercury Monterey 4.2 liter engine, 4 speed automatic- no warranty 38,960 miles without warning, the van stopped accelerating on freeway on-ramp and the driver had to coast to side of highway cloverleaf. When vehicle was safe from merging traffic but still on freeway shoulder the accelerator was pushed and the van would rev it's engine in all gears, forward and reverse without moving forward or reverse. Since the van would not move under it's power ' the van was towed to a Lincoln Mercury dealer. My wife and 1 year old child got a ride from family. The dealer inspected the vehicle and said we would need an entire rebuilt transmission from Ford, parts and labor was $3500 (3yr warranty). They showed me the transmission fluid pan with many metal shavings stuck to the magnet. I spoke with Ford customer relations three times and after a two day delay (their computer system had problems) they got back with me to say Ford would provide no assistance with the repair. I never complained to anyone at Ford customer service, I only asked for the ability to purchase an extended warranty post-breakdown or a discount in the repair cost. This van operated, looked, and drove like new before the breakdown ' and we've only had it for one oil change since we bought it used from the dealer. My wife is uneasy with the idea of driving it again with small children for fear of becoming stuck in an unsafe location without warning. I feel this is a safety concern and design defect ' please look under Ford freestar vans to see the number of similar and recent complaints. Currently the vehicle is at dealer to replace transmission with a rebuilt Ford item.

- Worthington, OH, USA

I was driving along at about 40 mph when my 2004 Mercury Monterey suddenly slipped out of gear and began slowing down. Fortunately I was able to pull off the main road onto a side street so the car could coast to a stop. According to two seperate Ford dealerships the problem is with the transmission. Both dealerships claim the entire transmission needs to be repaired at my expense for a cost of $3500. The car only has 46,000 miles on it. Upon searching the internet I discovered that this is a problem that Ford has known about for some time and they refuse to issue a recall. The reason that the transmission has to be replaced is due to the thousands of transmission failures there are no parts to repair the problem. This is an expensive repair that is not the fault of the owner. There should be a recall by Ford to repair these transmissions. Duplicate to 10231864 *smch

- Sterling, VA, USA

My 3 year old was in my Mercury Monterey we were in the process of leaving. She turned the key 1 spot on the ignition and pulled on the gear selector. My van with my child rolled out of my driveway. Hitting 2 mail boxes and a cable router before coming to a stop. I took the vehicle back to the dealer ganley Mercury in brunswick, Ohio. They told me the car was made this way. I have tried every type of vehicle and had friends try this in theirs. Not 1 vehicle will go into gear with out the brake depressed or will not go at all. I think there is a defect in this vehicle. Nobody at Ford or the dealer ship wants to talk about this, all they say is its supposed to do that. I don't think it is. If you could contact me I would be grateful. Thank you.

- Brunswick, OH, USA