NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
95 reportsClear category filter58,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. ALL GAUGES DROP TO ZERO. MULTIPLE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THEM GO BACK OFF LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN REVERSE. PROBLEM STARTED THIS MORNING 9/20/2010 I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THE…
Read full complaint
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. ALL GAUGES DROP TO ZERO. MULTIPLE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THEM GO BACK OFF LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THE REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN REVERSE. PROBLEM STARTED THIS MORNING 9/20/2010 I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT MADE FORD ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356581
96,000 miles · Sep 4, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
WE OWN A 2005 FORD 500 AND MY WIFE HAS TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS TO HAVE AN ISSUE LOOKED AT. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON HER OVER A DOZEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS GONE INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO LURCH WHEN IN GEAR EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. I'VE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ON LINE AND IT …
Read full complaint
WE OWN A 2005 FORD 500 AND MY WIFE HAS TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS TO HAVE AN ISSUE LOOKED AT. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON HER OVER A DOZEN TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS GONE INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO LURCH WHEN IN GEAR EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. I'VE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ON LINE AND IT APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMING OF THE PCM. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SEVERELY HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353901
70,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
FORD 500 2005 - 74K MILES....CAR STARTED JERKING FORWARD AS SOON AS I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE,WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THINGS IN A PARKING LOT FULL OF CARS. THE SENSORS WENT OUT,WHICH I WASN'T AWARE OF UNTIL I BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS GONE OUT AND IT SEEMS MY CAR IS NOT TH…
Read full complaint
FORD 500 2005 - 74K MILES....CAR STARTED JERKING FORWARD AS SOON AS I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE,WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THINGS IN A PARKING LOT FULL OF CARS. THE SENSORS WENT OUT,WHICH I WASN'T AWARE OF UNTIL I BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS GONE OUT AND IT SEEMS MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348088
75,200 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE TURN SIGNALS. ALL OF T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE TURN SIGNALS. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO SHUT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,200.
NHTSA ODI #10341095
106,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 08/24/10*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY ACCELERATES AT A RATE OF 65 MPH WHEN HER FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS WIRING PROBLEMS THAT LEADS TO THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE WIRES OVERHEAT AND SOMETIMES FLICKERS. THE CASING MELT AS WELL AND THEN THE LIGHTS BEGIN TO SMOKE. UPDATED 08/25/10 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10334487
84,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD 500 LTD. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM ATLANTIC CITY. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE I WAS STARTING THE CAR AND WENT INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. AFTER PULLING OVER, THE CAR RAN NORMAL. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS ON NUMEROUS OCC…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD 500 LTD. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM ATLANTIC CITY. THE DASHBOARD LIT UP LIKE I WAS STARTING THE CAR AND WENT INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. AFTER PULLING OVER, THE CAR RAN NORMAL. THE NEXT OCCURRENCE WAS WHEN THE CAR STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS ON NUMEROUS OCCASTIONS. THEN THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AGAIN AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS STAYED ON. THIS WINTER SEASON THE DOOR LATCHES WOULD NOT CATCH TO KEEP THE DOORS SHUT. AFTER IT RAINS THE REAR DOORS HAVE WATER SITTING INSIDE OF THEM. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THESE PROBLEMS WERE ON FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITEN (TSB). I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS WORK DONE PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAD THE CAR WORKED ON FOR THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS FIXED. THE CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. I DON'T HAVE THE FINANCES TO CONTINUE TO HAVE WORK DONE AND THE PROBLEMS NOT BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318440
59,000 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash
IT STARTED WITH MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOING OUT (NO LIGHTS, GAUGES, ANYTHING) AND IT CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 15 MINUTES TO HOURS. THE OTHER NIGHT MY BOYFRIEND AND I HIT A DEER AND WE WENT FROM 70 TO 50 ON IMPACT (WHICH WAS HEAD ON) AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE IMPACT, THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING SO…
Read full complaint
IT STARTED WITH MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOING OUT (NO LIGHTS, GAUGES, ANYTHING) AND IT CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 15 MINUTES TO HOURS. THE OTHER NIGHT MY BOYFRIEND AND I HIT A DEER AND WE WENT FROM 70 TO 50 ON IMPACT (WHICH WAS HEAD ON) AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE IMPACT, THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291186
25,281 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT IS TRYING TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT HER CLAIM WOULD BE REVIEWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,281 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES, THE GAUGE ACT ERRATICALLY. UPDATED 11/18/09
NHTSA ODI #10284843
58,150 miles · Jun 6, 2009
Electrical SystemFire
MY WIFE CALLED ME OUTSIDE AND SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, I SAID NO PROBLEM I'LL HAVE IT REPLACED IN THE MORNING, GO AHEAD WITH ONE HEAD-LIGHT, SHE ONLY WENT AROUND THE BLOCK AND CAME BACK SCREAMING THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, AND THE FIRE WAS RIGHT BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT THAT JUST WENT OUT. I EXTINGUISHED THE FLAME A…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE CALLED ME OUTSIDE AND SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, I SAID NO PROBLEM I'LL HAVE IT REPLACED IN THE MORNING, GO AHEAD WITH ONE HEAD-LIGHT, SHE ONLY WENT AROUND THE BLOCK AND CAME BACK SCREAMING THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, AND THE FIRE WAS RIGHT BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT THAT JUST WENT OUT. I EXTINGUISHED THE FLAME AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER, THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, 2005 FORD FIVE-HUNDRED WITH 58,150 MILES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HE SAID " THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING BEFORE, AND TO CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON MONDAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273002
112,000 miles · Mar 7, 2009
Electrical System
WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF OUR 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD GO OUT. ALL THE GAUGES DROP DOWN TO ZERO. SOMETIMES THIS LASTS FOR A SECOND. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO OUT FOR HOURS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A SPEEDOMETER READING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261024
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Illustration