NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
49 reportsClear category filter34,086 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY(SURGING). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME THE ENGINE BACKFIRED THROUGH THE TAILPIPE(TWICE) THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. AN EXHAUST VALVE HEAD AND THE REMAINS OF THE PISTON…
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ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY(SURGING). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME THE ENGINE BACKFIRED THROUGH THE TAILPIPE(TWICE) THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. AN EXHAUST VALVE HEAD AND THE REMAINS OF THE PISTON WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. A NEW 3 LITRE DURATECH ENGINE IS GOING TO BE ORDERED UNDER WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224191
31,058 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
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…
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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
60,300 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ON TUESDAY MORNING AND MY FORD 500 (2005) SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE CAME ON ALONG WITH A WRENCH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. CAR IS NOW IMMOVABLE AND WAITING TO BE TOWED IN TO …
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WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ON TUESDAY MORNING AND MY FORD 500 (2005) SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE CAME ON ALONG WITH A WRENCH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. CAR IS NOW IMMOVABLE AND WAITING TO BE TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221199
44,444 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages
PURCHASED MY 500 9/05 IT ONLY HAD 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS LATER LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LEAK SOME SORT OF FLUID GOT THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER PURCHASED WAS TOLD A/C LEAKING OIL AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD I WASN'T EVEN USING THE A/C WAS MARCH!!! MY DASH CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE AN…
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PURCHASED MY 500 9/05 IT ONLY HAD 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS LATER LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LEAK SOME SORT OF FLUID GOT THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER PURCHASED WAS TOLD A/C LEAKING OIL AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD I WASN'T EVEN USING THE A/C WAS MARCH!!! MY DASH CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPUTER ALSO HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED SINCE THE CAR WOULDN'T START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER THIS HAPPENED IN JAN06......MY FUEL STRAPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND MY DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND I HAD 22K MILES WHEN THE BACK BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP TOOK TO DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY BRAKES ARE UNDER WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED NOW WHICH DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GOOD HOW COULD BACK BRAKES GO BAD BEFORE FRONT BRAKES UNLESS YOU ONLY DRIVE YOUR CAR IN REVERSE????? I PAID THE $400 TO FIX SINCE WAS INFORMED 500 ROTORS CANT BE TURNED EVER WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES......THEN 6 MONTHS LATER BRAKES WERE RECALLED AND I DID REQUEST REFUND WHICH I DID RECEIVE. HOWEVER I NOW HAVE 44K NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY SINCE EXPIRED AND I DIDN'T BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY BROUGHT CAR IN TO FORD SINCE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT THEN HAD TRANS CENSOR REPLACED WAS TOLD THAT WAS PROBLEM THEN 2 DAYS LATER LIGHT STILL TURNING ON AND CAR WILL NOT REVERSE TOOK INTO DEALER AGAIN WAS TOLD TRANS AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND NEED NEW TRANS WHICH COSTS $5300 CAR IS ONLY WORK 9K!!!! FORD COMPANY SAID THEY WILL OFFER ASSISTANCE ONLY OF 3K SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HAD I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I WOULD ONLY BE PAYING $100 NOTHING LIKE THROWING THAT IN YOUR FACE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY IT NEED A CAR AND AM A SINGLE PARENT OF 2. ALSO BACK DOORS TRIM IS COMING APART PASSENGER SINCE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217296
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED TO WORK AND THE "FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIT UP. THE ENGINE STARTS TO DIE AND THE CAR STARTS LURCHING FORWARD. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, IT RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR IN SO THE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED TO WORK AND THE "FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIT UP. THE ENGINE STARTS TO DIE AND THE CAR STARTS LURCHING FORWARD. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, IT RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR IN SO THEY CAN LOOK INTO IT. FORD HAS NO BULLETINS ON THIS - THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. AS I RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FORD VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE FIVE HUNDRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200968
750 miles · Apr 26, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
OIL LIFE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE CONTINUES TO REPORT ZERO PERCENTAGE LIFE REMAINING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156107
6,947 miles · Jan 10, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesStructure
CONSUMER 2005 FORD 500 DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TS WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE DOORS. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES AND NEW WATER CANELS. THE DASH HAD A BUBBLE IN THE LEATHER AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT. THE MOLDING WAS COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON ONE OCCASION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148658
5,000 miles · Jul 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENED FOR A MONTH BUT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. THE SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING WAS NOT A FACTOR NOR WERE THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHI…
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DT: CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENED FOR A MONTH BUT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. THE SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING WAS NOT A FACTOR NOR WERE THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE A COMPUTER RELATED ISSUE. THE OWNER HAD THE BLACK BOX INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING. THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED. OWNER IS TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER NEXT WEEK FOR ADDITIONAL TESTING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10127792
1,500 miles · Mar 16, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICHLE CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO START ON THE FIRST TRY. HARD STARTS, DIESELING, AND STALLING ARE CONSTANT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114186
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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