I was pulling out of a gas station driveway in my 2005 Mercury Monterey minivan onto a main two-way road. I did not have to punch the gas to merge into traffic, it wasn't busy. As I accelerated across one lane of traffic and a turn lane, my vehicle lost forward motion. The engine functioned properly -- no safety or warning lights came on -- and I heard no thunk, clunk, grinding or other noise as I coasted to a stop in the turn lane. I shifted the vehicle numerous times into various gears (R, D, 3 and 1) but still the minivan would not move. I turned the engine off and on, tried again, but no movement. Again, I tried in all the gears, but the vehicle would not move. I repeated this a second time with no success in getting the vehicle to shift into any gear. Stuck, I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. This incident made me recall a comment a service manager made to me a couple of years ago at the Lincoln-Mercury dealer where I bought my Monterey and was getting it serviced. As we were test driving the minivan to try to replicate a sound the vehicle was making when it was driving the service manager commented that Ford was having trouble with transmissions. But he quickly added that it was did not affect my particular make and model. I wonder, though, about that comment since I only have about 56,000 miles on the vehicle. Clearly, the company had alerted service departments to be on the lookout for a potential transmission problem on some vehicles similar to mine. Prior to this incident, I've never experienced a problem with the drivetrain. Still, a problem such as this one should not crop up or the transmission go bad on a vehicle that is only four years old and has only 56,000 miles on it.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

While driving way back home from work the transmission failed all of sudden causing me stranded on the middle of highway during heavy rush traffic hours. End up spending $175 for towing and when called the next day to Ford dealer and Mercury dealership was approximately $3500 to $4500. Repaired the transmission from other transmission shop spending $2500.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

2005 Mercury Monterey vehicle lost propulsion while traveling down the road in drive. Would not move in drive or reverse. No warning or previous signs of ensuing failure. Van is en route to dealer for diagnosis. Van has less than 50,000 miles on it. We were very lucky that the failure occurred on a roadway that enabled us to pull out of harms way. Four women passengers were able to push the vehicle into a parking lot for hauler to pickup. Waiting for word from the dealer on course of action.

- New Boston , MI, USA

2005 Mercury Monterey 4.2 L automatic transmission - transmission stopped pulling while driving over railroad tracks - coasted to parking lot.

- Estill Springs, TN, USA

2005 Mercury Monterey torque converter shaft failure resulting in sudden loss of power on freeway, without warning.

- Canton, MI, USA

I was driving my 2005 Mercury Monterey van home and about 20 miles away from my house it was driving fine and than without any signs or warning at all I lost all acceleration I had to pull off the side of the road no cell phone coverage finally someone came along and I got it towed back home, that is the first time I ever had a problem with the transmission Ford Lincoln Mercury said it was the torque converter I bareley hit 50,000 miles when this happened now it wont go in drive reverse or anything just happened all at one alot of people are having this problem I was reading about 100's online now Mercury wants $1000 to replace the torque converter when it is a defect in alot of there vans and that's not right its not like I'm the only person this has happened to I'm just glad I was far out of town like alot of people that has had this happen to them without warning sitting at a redlight and going down the interstate I paid 38,000 dollars for the van and still owe half its not right that Mercury wants the consumers to pay for the defect car company's aren't the only ones struggling.

- Vanceburg, KY, USA

My wife was driving on SR528 at night in our 2005 Mercury Monterey coming home from work. While driving over the indian river bridge, the engine revved up on her and acted like it was in neutral. There was no warning whatsoever which placed her in a very dangerous situation. Every gear (reverse, D, 3, 1) acts like it's in neutral. Now the minivan is sitting at a gas station while we wait to find out the cost of repair. The van has 57000 miles and we've had it less than 3 years. This is apparently a common failure happening with the 2004 and 2005 Ford/Mercury minivans. Is Ford waiting for someone to get hurt or even worse before they do something? I'm extremely disappointed being a 7 time Ford purchaser.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

Driving my Mercury Monterey when suddenly there was no transmission. The dealer states a new transmission is required for 4500.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

With no warning, the transmission will go out leaving the vehicle unable to drive. I had to have the transmission replaced. This is a known issue with these minivans.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

Driving on I35 at 75 miles per hour with the cruise control engaged. I had been driving for approximately 2 hours. The car engine just started racing with no warning, I took the cruise off and had lost all ability to move forward or reverse. I had the entire family in the car. I am 800 miles from home and it will be 2 days for the fix. They estimate approximately $1800. The van is less than 3 years old and has 47,000 miles. This is hazardous and I can not believe that Ford does not recognize this as just doing and internet search on this these transmissions seem to fail around the 45K mark with no warning at all. I am currently stranded and hope that the fix will be done tomorrow.

- Round Rock, TX, USA