2008 Mercury Milan problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercury Milan, most often about brakes. There are 4 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 6
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 109,000 mi at time of problem
Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners not to drive it until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Key facts
- Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 54 of 62 complaints (87%).
- Airbags (8) and engine (1) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 109,000 mi.
- Owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
- The 2008 Mercury Milan has 4 recalls on file, including at least one “do not drive” warning.
- NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 6 Mercury Milan model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 48% more complaints than the 2007 model year (42).
2008 Mercury Milan problems by category
- Brakes · 5 crashes54 complaints
- Airbags · 2 crashes8 complaints
- Other / Unknown2 complaints
- Engine1 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion1 complaints
- Lighting1 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control1 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Electrical System1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service brakes | 39 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 14 |
| Air bags | 8 |
| Unknown or other | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 |
| Power train | 1 |
| Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2008 Mercury Milan recalls (4)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA defect investigations
Extended Braking Distance
On April 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-002 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year (MY) 2006-12 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, and MY 2006-11 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured with Continental Automotive System?s ABS hydraulic control units (HCUs). Complainants report that after an ABS braking event (initiated by slippery or uneven surfaces) the brake pedal moved towards the floor and the vehicle stopping distance increased beyond driver expectations.Inside the HCU are four hydraulic normally closed (NC) valves with zin…
- PE16017Opened Dec 20, 2016Closed May 4, 2018
Extended Braking Distance
On December 20, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 16-017 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year 2007 through 2009 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles.Complainants report that after an ABS braking event (caused by braking on a slippery or uneven surface) the brake pedal moved towards the floor and the distance in which the vehicle stopped increased beyond what was expected by the driver.The cause of the problem appears to be the Antilock Braking System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), a component manufactured for Ford by C…
Floor mat interference with accelerator
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated c…
- PE10019Opened May 28, 2010Closed Jan 11, 2013
Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat
Unsecured mats may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle. A heel blocker in the floor pan provides a platform that may lift an unsecured mat into contact with the pedal. Ford introduced new pedals as a running change early in model year (MY) 2010 vehicles. Analysis of complaints received by ODI and Ford show elevated rates of pedal entrapment incidents in MY 2008 through early 2010 production vehicles. Incidents typically occur following hard pedal applications to pass slower traffic or when merging into faster traffic. Drivers allege continued high engine power after releasing the a…
- PE08060Opened Oct 14, 2008Closed Apr 9, 2009
Tire valve cracking
On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls bo…
Recent 2008 Mercury Milan complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Apr 16, 2025NJBrakesOther / Unknown
08 merc milan abs did not work and brakes failed almost causing major accidents. I used e brake to stop. Brakes went to floor. Been calling for and dealerships for recalls I find out now about abs malfunctioning noone will fix or get back to me. Leaking brake fluid all around abs module now. Dealerships saying they not fixing abs even on recalls. Ford dealership in East rutherford nj.
NHTSA complaint #11655118 · source - Filed Nov 27, 2023WIBrakes
The ABS brake function checked out during the recall window on Nov. 2 of 2021. The Ford dealer mechanics purged the brake system with fresh fluid and tested the function. Tested OK. The car was used without issue until recently and now the brake pedal goes down nearly to the floor before the brakes engage. It is shocking at first and once used to that the driver will pump the pedal twice for a firm pedal. A recent visit to a Ford dealer to diagnose the issue revealed that…
NHTSA complaint #11556992 · source - Filed Apr 5, 2023MNBrakesOther / Unknown
The gas pedal gets stuck at the top when I go to press down on it allowing the car to keep driving when I am trying to stop the car.
NHTSA complaint #11515561 · source - Filed Oct 5, 2022TXBrakes
Was not able to drive my car because you had to press the breaks all the way to the ground in order for the vehicle to attempt to stop. A recall was issued for the hydraulic breaks in 2019 and no parts were available for almost a year. Car has been at the dealership being repaired since August 12, but now they are telling us that the hydraulic breaks issues has caused the break master cylinder to fail - leaving the car unsafe and undrivable but they are expecting us to pay…
NHTSA complaint #11488072 · source - Filed Jul 28, 2022AZAirbags
In March 2021 I received important safety recall from Ford advising me that the Airbag inflator might explode in the event of a crash and may cause injury or death to the driver or passengers. My daughter still drives this car, why have they not followed up and replaced this part?
NHTSA complaint #11476335 · source - Filed Jun 6, 202297,000 miMOTowedBrakes
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Milan. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but went all the way to the floorboard and failed to respond. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she coasted the vehicle on a hill and turned off the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to three different independent mechanics who diagnosed that the braking system had…
NHTSA complaint #11467781 · source - Filed May 29, 2022FLBrakes
I took the vehicle in earlier this year for the recall on the Brake system. They bled the brakes and said it was fine but now the brakes are just like they were before taking it in. I would assume that the HCU is bad but they did not want to change it out when they had it.
NHTSA complaint #11466614 · source - Filed Feb 1, 2022NDBrakes
RE: NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 Manufacturer Ford Motor Company Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Vehicle regarding complaint: 2008 Mercury Milan Vehicle Vin: [XXX] Good day, In September of 2021 I took the above mentioned vehicle in for the above stated recall regarding the Hydraulic control unit. The vehicle was taken to Westlie Motor Company 500 S Broadway Minot, ND 58701 [phone removed]. The vehicle was tested and did in fact fail the test and I was informed the…
NHTSA complaint #11449698 · source
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Other 2008 Mercury models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology