NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
49 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD 500 WITH APPROX. 85,000 MILES LURCHES FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AFTER PERIOD OF IDLE SUCH AS AT A RED LIGHT OR IN LINE AT A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT. THE LURCH IS SIGNIFICANT, VIOLENT ENOUGH TO MAKE PASSENGER THINK THEY WERE HIT FROM BEHIND. I NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISIONS WITH CARS IN FRONT…
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2005 FORD 500 WITH APPROX. 85,000 MILES LURCHES FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AFTER PERIOD OF IDLE SUCH AS AT A RED LIGHT OR IN LINE AT A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT. THE LURCH IS SIGNIFICANT, VIOLENT ENOUGH TO MAKE PASSENGER THINK THEY WERE HIT FROM BEHIND. I NARROWLY AVOIDED COLLISIONS WITH CARS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. PARTS TO REPAIR ARE BACK ORDERED WITH A 2 MONTH WAIT AND A COST OF $500.00. THIS IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS DEFECT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350301
63,000 miles · Aug 14, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
THE ENGINE SURGES WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE. IT REV'S UP SOMETIMES IN FORWARD BUT HE ENGINE WILL QUICKLY DIE. IT GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND ONLY GOES AT A VERY LOW SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349334
29,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEDAN, THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR WILL NOT COOL THE CAR UNLESS YOU ARE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN SITTING AT IDLE OR DRIVING AROUND TOWN, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BLOW HOT AIR INSTEAD OF COLD. THE COMPRESSOR MUST BE REPLACED …
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IN MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEDAN, THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE AIR COMPRESSOR WILL NOT COOL THE CAR UNLESS YOU ARE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN SITTING AT IDLE OR DRIVING AROUND TOWN, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BLOW HOT AIR INSTEAD OF COLD. THE COMPRESSOR MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 AND 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEDANS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348598
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…
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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
102,638 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS BEEN A VERY DEPENDABLE VEHICLE, EXCEPT WHEN THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THE COMPRESSORS ON THE FORD FIVE HUNDREDS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE AR…
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MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS BEEN A VERY DEPENDABLE VEHICLE, EXCEPT WHEN THE COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THE COMPRESSORS ON THE FORD FIVE HUNDREDS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE AROUND WITH NO AIR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR ON TOP OF THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR THE CAR. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPRESSOR GOING OUT, AND A $1200 BILL TO ENSUE, I WOULD HAVE RECONSIDERED BUYING THIS VEHICLE. ALL THE FORD FIVE HUNDRED DRIVERS, INCLUDING ME, NEED HELP ON THIS ACROSS THE BOARD REPAIR. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE MADE RIGHT BY FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342856
83,228 miles · Dec 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR WOULD GO INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE." I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY PUTTING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER AT 65 MPH. I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALER AND MECHANIC WHO RAN THE SYSTEM ON THE COMPUTER SPECULATING IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY BY CLEA…
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THE CAR WOULD GO INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE." I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY PUTTING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER AT 65 MPH. I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALER AND MECHANIC WHO RAN THE SYSTEM ON THE COMPUTER SPECULATING IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY BY CLEARED DATA SO THEY COULD GATHER MORE INFORMATION. THESE COMPUTER CHECKS (3 OF THEM) COST ME MORE THAN $420.00. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS INDEED FAULTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $947.98 TO FIX. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL. HE ALSO SAID HE WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF IT DIDN'T TURN INTO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS HOW PREVALENT THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294462
28,800 miles · Nov 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEANING TO FAILURE, INTERMITTENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WHILE DRIVING CAR GOES INTO THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE, TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR IS RATHER DANGEROUS, CAR STALLS,WON'T GO, THEN SUDDENLY TAKES OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TOLD, THROTTLE BODY BAD AND THE PART IS …
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NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEANING TO FAILURE, INTERMITTENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WHILE DRIVING CAR GOES INTO THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE, TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR IS RATHER DANGEROUS, CAR STALLS,WON'T GO, THEN SUDDENLY TAKES OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TOLD, THROTTLE BODY BAD AND THE PART IS BACK ORDERED (THE #3 MOST BACK ORDERED PART OUT OF 500). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292150
60,945 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED THAT SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE WITH A SAFE ENGINE MODE. THE OBDII SHOWS A P2111 CODE THAT THE THROTTLE IS STUCK OPEN. IS THERE ANY RECALL TO THIS CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290880
97,400 miles · Jul 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE GRAPE VINE IN CALIFORNIA THE TRANSMISSION STARTED BUCKING, AND KICKED IN TO NEUTRAL, I ALMOST GOT RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AT A COUPLE THOUSAND FEET ELEVATION BY A SEMI BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO. I HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE WHICH IS 8 HOURS FROM WHERE WE RESIDE …
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE GRAPE VINE IN CALIFORNIA THE TRANSMISSION STARTED BUCKING, AND KICKED IN TO NEUTRAL, I ALMOST GOT RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AT A COUPLE THOUSAND FEET ELEVATION BY A SEMI BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO. I HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE WHICH IS 8 HOURS FROM WHERE WE RESIDE IN ARIZONA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278260
4,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HER RESIDENCE AND DROVE THERE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. A D…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HER RESIDENCE AND DROVE THERE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE PCM AND TCM WERE REPROGRAMMED. IN APRIL OF 2008, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. UPDATED 07/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/15/08
NHTSA ODI #10224884
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.
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