Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports6 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

95 reports

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85,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009

Electrical System

MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WILL BLINK OFF AND ON. STARTED ABOUT 6/1/2008. DOES IT RANDOMLY IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. MOSTLY ON INITITAL START UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258798

60,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009

Electrical System

SPORADICALLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY CAR FAILS. SOMETIMES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, SOMETIMES ALL THE NEEDLES GOT TO "0" AND JUST TWITCH FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THEY COME BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT, WARM AND COLD. IT STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 60,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254077

47,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009

Electrical System

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I AM DRIVING A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TSB 06-17-9 WHERE THE INSTRUMENTATION QUITS WORKING AND THEN COMES BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, IN ADDITION TO THAT, SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BACK UP LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS NOT IN REVERSE. AFTER THE CAR SITS A WHILE, THIS CLEARS UP, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BE ON. IT IS GOING IN THE SHOP IN TWO DAYS AND HOPEFULLY CAN BE FIXED, HOPEFULLY NO CHARGE. THE TURN SIGNAL ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253829

52,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INVESTIGATION REOPENED FOR NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE07058 AND A RECALL BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD DECREASE AS IF I WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL (JUST THE INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER), AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THIS WOULD LAST FROM A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE AND GIVEN A VERBAL WARNING IN REGARDS TO MY REVERSE LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE POLICE ASSUMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE(BLOWN BULB/BROKE LENSES) AS MY REVERSE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALER NOW, THE DEALER DID SUPPLY ME WITH ANOTHER CAR UNTIL MINE WAS REPAIRED AS THEY DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT I WILL BE LOOKING AT A $100-200 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE AS THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY COVERED ON THE WARRANTY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT/DEATH OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THIS KNOWN EXISTING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244077

74,500 miles · Sep 12, 2008

Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

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STARTED DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AS I NORMALLY DO, EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING, MY A/C TURNED OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED, ONLY THIS TIME JUST THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. MY CRUISE CONTROL STILL WORKED BUT MY TACH, SPEED, BATTERY AND POWER GAUGE ALL DROPPED TO ZERO, HOWEVER THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I SAW ONLINE THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE LIGHTS CUT OFF AT RANDOM. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED OR AN ACCIDENT YET AS A RESULT OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242029

50,076 miles · Jul 15, 2008

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THEY WAS TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WOULD USUALLY DIE ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, POWERSTEERING PUMP, BELT AND THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR STILL DIES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEM IS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WHAT MADE ME TAKE THE CAR IN TO BEGIN WITH WAS THAT I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER PLAYING TENNIS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT DEAD AND THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234387

37,500 miles · Apr 8, 2008

Electrical System

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I WOULD LIKE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THE FORD 500, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS A DEFECT CAUSING ALL OF THE NEEDLES AND CONTROLS TO MALFUNCTION LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE OR TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FORD IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO THE DEALERS, HOWEVER, WITH NO RECALL YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PANEL AND THIS MAY KEEP SOME PEOPLE FROM HAVING THEM REPLACED, I WAS CHARGED A $100 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR AND IN ALL FAIRNESS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY A FORD RECALL SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223728

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2008

Electrical System

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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED USED LAST 2/07; ON 3/4/08 MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. NO GAUGES, LIGHTS, NOTHING. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER 3/5/08 WHO LOOKED AT IT, AFTER 3 HOURS RETURNED IT TO ME SAYING I NEEDED A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT THEY HAD TO ORDER ONE AND SAID TO COME BACK WHEN THEY HAD IT. THE PANEL WORKED, SO I WONDERED WHAT WAS UP; HOWEVER AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE GAUGES WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY BEFORE WORKING AGAIN PERIODICALLY. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM FORD ABOUT MY PART, ALSO, THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT, I'VE OWNED 5 CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD AN INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED EVER. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FOR 10 YEARS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE YET TO GET THE PART REPLACED, AS THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ONE YET. SO I RISK MY SAFETY EVERY TIME I DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222572

31,058 miles · Mar 21, 2008

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. ON JULY 11, 2007, THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ONE WEEK LATER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JULY 17, AUGUST 31, SEPTEMBER 25, OCTOBER 3, NOVEMBER 2, AND DECEMBER 18. THE DEALER DID NOT RETURN THE VEHICLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 23,2008. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN AND THE DEALER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 20, 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 31,058.

NHTSA ODI #10221974

23,820 miles · Mar 11, 2008

Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, TURNED OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HE WALKED INTO THE HOUSE WITH HIS KEYS AND THE VEHICLE TURNED ITSELF ON. THE CONTACT ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC START SYSTEM, BUT IT DOES NOT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO …

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NHTSA ODI #10220822

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

PE11018 · 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.