CarBrief

NHTSA has 434 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Milan, and the largest group is about air bags[1][2]. The car also has 4 recalls, three tied to air bag inflators and one to the ABS brake unit[3][4][5][6][7].

434owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
19–23MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Reported problems

Owners filed 434 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 9 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 232
Brakes[9] 127
Power train[10] 22
Speed control[11] 18
Engine[12] 18
Structure[13] 17
Electrical system[14] 14
Unknown or other[15] 11

Air bags. The 232 air bag complaints include 8 crashes and 7 injuries, with a median mileage of 93,250 at the time of the problem[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 6 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. Four describe a warning light, with a dealer pointing to the passenger-side module or seat parts[2]. Three describe the passenger air bag cover or dash area buckling or coming loose[2].

Brakes. The 127 brake complaints include 6 crashes and no injuries, with a median mileage of 92,489[9]. In a sample of 12 we read, 11 describe the pedal sinking or going soft, often after a bump or an ABS event[9]. Five say the dealer could not find a fault or the problem came back after repair[9]. Read this together with the ABS recall below.

Power train. There are 22 complaints, with no crashes, fires or injuries and a median mileage of 88,479[10]. In a sample of 12, 7 describe the automatic transmission shifting hard, slipping or refusing to shift up[10]. Four describe a sudden loss of power or stalling[10].

Engine. There are 18 complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 fires and a median mileage of 80,000[12]. In a sample of 12, 8 describe stalling, shaking, surging or lost power[12]. Owners in that sample mention ignition coils, the engine computer or the throttle body in repairs[12].

Speed control has 18 complaints with 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries[11]. We did not read a sample of those.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2007 Milan[3]. Newest first:

Before you buy or keep one, check the VIN on NHTSA's recall page to see which of these are open for that car. For the two passenger-side recalls, ask whether the remedy is available yet.

Fuel economy

EPA lists these ratings for the 2007 Milan, in city, highway and combined MPG[8][16][17][18].

Version City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
2.3L 4-cyl, automatic 5-spd, front-wheel drive[8] 20 / 29 / 23 $2,900
2.3L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd, front-wheel drive[16] 20 / 29 / 23 $2,900
3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 6-spd, front-wheel drive[17] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 6-spd, all-wheel drive[18] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. All versions use regular fuel.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Milan 5 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.2%[19]. Our facts do not include crash test star ratings.

How 2007 compares with other years

2006: 214 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 434 complaints, 4 recalls43420072008: 451 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 226 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 1,062 complaints, 11 recalls20102011: 191 complaints, 7 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Milan model year. The 2007 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20062144
20074344
20084514
20092266
20101,06211
20111917

NHTSA counts for each Milan model year[3]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2006 214 4
2007 434 4
2008 451 4
2009 226 6
2010 1,062 11
2011 191 7

By complaints, 2007 sits third of the six years, behind 2010 and 2008. Its 4 recalls tie with 2006 and 2008 for the fewest[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only[3].

Should you buy a used 2007 Milan?

The 2007 Milan carries 434 complaints, with air bags and brakes the two biggest groups[1][2][9]. It also has four recalls, and two of them cover passenger air bag inflators where owners were told not to drive the car until repair[6][7]. If you are considering one, run the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof that the air bag and ABS recalls were done. Fuel economy is modest and depends on the engine, from 23 combined MPG for the 2.3L to 19 for the 3.0L all-wheel drive[8][18]. A small sample of complaints is not proof of how any single car will behave, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes the brakes and transmission is sensible.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2007 Mercury Milan?
NHTSA has 434 complaints[1]. Air bags have 232 and brakes 127, far more than any other group[1][2][9]. In samples we read, owners describe air bags not deploying, soft brake pedals, transmission slipping and stalling[2][9][10][12].
Does the 2007 Mercury Milan have recalls?
Yes, 4[3]. Three involve air bag inflators (21V158, 17V024, 16V384) and one involves the ABS control unit (19V904)[4][5][6][7][3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2007 Mercury Milan?
EPA lists 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined MPG for the 2.3L[8]. The 3.0L front-wheel drive gets 18/26/21[17] and the all-wheel drive 17/24/19[18].
Is 2007 a good year for the Mercury Milan?
By complaints, 2007 has 434[3], behind 2010 (1,062) and 2008 (451) and above 2006, 2009 and 2011[3]. It has 4 recalls, tied for fewest[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 434 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Mercury Milan (17 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 232 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Milan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V904, filed December 18, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Milan, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 127 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,489). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,479). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 18 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,905). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 18 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 17 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,793). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,672). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for Milan, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Milan, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Milan AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.