Ford Freestar vs Mercury Monterey
The Ford Freestar is more fuel-efficient at 18 MPG combined, against 17 MPG for the Mercury Monterey. At EPA assumptions that is about $250 less in fuel per year. (Comparison uses each model's most efficient version.)
Side by side
| Ford Freestar | Mercury Monterey | |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints (NHTSA) | 1,600 | 346 |
| Most reported problem | Transmission | Transmission |
| Crashes and fires | 25 and 17 | 2 and 10 |
| Typical mileage at complaint | 87,000 miles | 85,000 miles |
| Recalls | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel economy, combined | 18 MPG | 17 MPG |
| City and highway | 15 and 21 | 15 and 21 |
| Yearly fuel cost (EPA) | $3,700 | $3,950 |
What the numbers say
NHTSA has 1,600 complaints for the Ford Freestar and 346 for the Mercury Monterey. Complaint counts depend heavily on how many of each vehicle were sold, so a higher count does not by itself mean a less reliable car.
Safety recalls on file: 4 for the Ford Freestar, 4 for the Mercury Monterey.