NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 12 recalls, 1059 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Mercury Milan.
24–39 mpg combined
6–9.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
Steering is the dominant complaint pattern for the 2010 Mercury Milan. Owners frequently report the electric power steering failing abruptly, describing the wheel becoming extremely difficult or impossible to turn, often accompanied by a "Service Power Steering" warning light and the AdvanceTrac stability control warning illuminating at the same time. This happens both at highway speeds and in low-speed situations, and several owners note the failure occurring in winter driving conditions. Exterior lighting draws the second-highest complaint volume, though the steering issue is far and away the most consistent theme in this model year. Vehicle speed control rounds out the top three reported systems. The power steering complaints often describe a sudden onset with no gradual warning, leaving drivers with heavy, unresponsive steering mid-trip before the dashboard alerts appear.
1,059
Total Complaints
39
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Mercury Milan has 12 recalls, the most serious being a Takata airbag defect affecting both the driver and passenger sides where the inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag issue spans multiple recalls and prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the problem, so owners who received a replacement passenger airbag under an earlier recall may still be affected. On the chassis side, wheel studs on vehicles equipped with 17-inch steel wheels can fracture and allow a wheel to separate from the vehicle while driving. A fuel vapor canister purge valve can fail and cause abnormal pressure in the fuel tank, which may crack the tank and leak fuel near potential ignition sources. Accessory all-weather floor mats sold for this vehicle can shift and trap the accelerator pedal, preventing it from returning to idle and causing unintended acceleration.
Several other concerns round out the list. The front seat manual recliner on certain vehicles may not meet head restraint standards, allowing the seatback to shift rearward in a crash. The automatic transmission park rod on some vehicles may not fully engage the park pawl, allowing the car to roll when parked. The ABS hydraulic control unit valves can react with certain brake fluids and fail to close properly, requiring more pedal travel to stop the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode. This can happen when the propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag module and replace the module or inflator if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake fluid additives can react with valves in the ABS hydraulic control unit, preventing them from closing properly and affecting braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealer will flush brake system with DOT 4 fluid, install new reservoir cap, test the control unit, and replace it if a stuck valve is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bracket holding the passenger air bag inflator to the module housing may bend during a crash, causing the inflation gas to escape instead of deploying the air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire passenger air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel vapor canister's purge valve may not work correctly, causing abnormal pressure changes inside the fuel tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software, test the purge valve, inspect the fuel tank for cracks, and replace parts as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The all-weather driver side floor mat may shift and interfere with the accelerator pedal during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will install replacement floor mats at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wheel studs on certain 2010-2011 Fusion and Milan models may fracture, which could cause a wheel to separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace rear brake discs if needed, and replace wheel lug nuts on all four wheels.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The park rod guide retention pin may not be properly installed, which could allow the shift lever to move without intent, risking unintended vehicle rollaway.
What the fix does
Dealers will reinstall the park rod guide retention pin correctly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat manual recliner gear plate teeth may be incorrectly sized, reducing engagement with the locking pawl and potentially allowing the seat back to move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both power and manual front seat recliners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.