NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
24 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 8, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
The engine keep going into limp mode. The car stalls out while at lights an stop signs, power steering goes out on highway an other roads making it impossible to steer or steer out of others ways, limp mode causes car to not be able to keep up with traffic on highway and other roads. Engine jerks forward an shifts irractically…
Read full complaint
The engine keep going into limp mode. The car stalls out while at lights an stop signs, power steering goes out on highway an other roads making it impossible to steer or steer out of others ways, limp mode causes car to not be able to keep up with traffic on highway and other roads. Engine jerks forward an shifts irractically an shifts an downshifts hard.
NHTSA ODI #11531091
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HAD ENGINE LIGHT ON SO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND PUT NEW BATTERY PROBLEM STILL THERE. HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT AND HE SAID CODES READING FUEL PROBLEM SO CHANGE OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND PUT INJECTOR CLEANER. PROBLEM STILL THERE HE SAID MAYBE THE COMPUTER SO NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE PROBLEM IS CHECK EN…
Read full complaint
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR HAD ENGINE LIGHT ON SO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND PUT NEW BATTERY PROBLEM STILL THERE. HAD A MECHANIC CHECK OUT AND HE SAID CODES READING FUEL PROBLEM SO CHANGE OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND PUT INJECTOR CLEANER. PROBLEM STILL THERE HE SAID MAYBE THE COMPUTER SO NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE PROBLEM IS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WHEN YOU STEP ON THE THROTTLE DOES NOT GO PASS 3000 RPM.
NHTSA ODI #11322586
177,593 miles · Apr 24, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE FUEL TANK HAS A CRACK CAUSED BY A WELDING POINT ON THE FUEL TANK WAS BROKEN LOOSE. OVER TIME I SAW MY FUEL GAUGE DROP DRAMATICALLY. THIS CAUSES ME TO GET GAS MORE OFTEN.
NHTSA ODI #11322158
178,000 miles · Feb 2, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
THE CAR JERKS WHEN ACCELERATED.
NHTSA ODI #11306524
140,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY A MAJOR COMPLAINT AND CAUSES THE CAR TO HAVE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. ELDERLY MOTHER GOT STUCK ON A HILL AND COULD NOT GET CAR REST OF THE WAY UP THE HILL TO SAFETY. PAGE AFTER PAGE OF THIS COMPLAINT ON INTERNET. FORD AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND STILL REFUSES TO LAUNCH A RECALL. PART COST $500+ FOR THE PART A…
Read full complaint
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY A MAJOR COMPLAINT AND CAUSES THE CAR TO HAVE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. ELDERLY MOTHER GOT STUCK ON A HILL AND COULD NOT GET CAR REST OF THE WAY UP THE HILL TO SAFETY. PAGE AFTER PAGE OF THIS COMPLAINT ON INTERNET. FORD AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND STILL REFUSES TO LAUNCH A RECALL. PART COST $500+ FOR THE PART AND DEALER WANTS ANOTHER $300+ FOR INSTALL. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING TO HAVE ELDERLY OR WOMEN WITH INFANT CHILDREN STUCK ON ROADWAYS WITH THIS ISSUE. WILL NEVER BUT FORD AGAIN BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEM TURNING THEIR BACK ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11234627
172,940 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TAKATA RECALL MY CAR HAS A FUEL LEAK PROBLEM AND FUEL TANK IS DAMAGE TO WELD DEFECT CIDE: P04442. ALSO PREVIOUS OWN INSTALLED A AFTERMARKET REMOTE CAR STARTER. NOW MY CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING EVER AFTER I REPLACED THE STARTER. PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE (ECU) ENGINE CONTROL UNIT NOW WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #11229975
136,000 miles · May 16, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension
SUSPENSION: CONTINUOUS RATTLE ISSUES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. BUSHINGS? SWAY BARS?? WHO KNOWS. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HAPPENS ONLY DURING DRIVING. CONSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR. FUEL: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SENSOR. FAILED READING. ALL GAUGES LIGHT UP. RUN OBD AND ALL FLUID LEVELS / PRESSURE FINE. NO R…
Read full complaint
SUSPENSION: CONTINUOUS RATTLE ISSUES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. BUSHINGS? SWAY BARS?? WHO KNOWS. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HAPPENS ONLY DURING DRIVING. CONSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR. FUEL: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SENSOR. FAILED READING. ALL GAUGES LIGHT UP. RUN OBD AND ALL FLUID LEVELS / PRESSURE FINE. NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY WAS AN ISSUE AND THE SENSOR INSIDE SAME. HOWEVER, AFTER NUMEROUS WEB BASED SEARCHES I FOUND THAT THROTTLE BODY ISSUES ARE DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. FOUND THAT REMOVING THE AIR CLEANER BOX FOR FILTER REPLACEMENT CAN CAUSE SENSOR ISSUES. WHY? SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE I HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE FAILURES HERE. THIS IS DANGEROUS, EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA ODI #11207982
101,000 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED GAS WAS LEAKING. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS REPAIRED IT HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11131787
100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2010. REALIZED EARLY-ON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH, BUT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION SINCE IT WAS A 2005 VEHICLE. IN LATE 2012 OR EARLY 2013, I RECEIVED 'RECALL' NOTICE THAT PCM (I.E. - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) COULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO STALLING, HERKY-JERK…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2010. REALIZED EARLY-ON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH, BUT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION SINCE IT WAS A 2005 VEHICLE. IN LATE 2012 OR EARLY 2013, I RECEIVED 'RECALL' NOTICE THAT PCM (I.E. - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) COULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO STALLING, HERKY-JERKY TRANSMISSION, ETC. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS, CHARGED ME $100, AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T EFFECTED BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES WERE NOTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON. I WAS NOT HAPPY, AND REFUSED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM PERSISTED, UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER 2017 AT ROUGHLY 125,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $150 FOR SENSOR REPLACEMENT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK BACK, REPLACED SENSOR FOR FREE (NICE!), BUT LIGHT BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $250, REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS, LIGHT BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. TOOK BACK TO 2ND MECHANIC, WHEN THEY SHARED WITH ME THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE PCM AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NEED TO FIX. CALLED DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS IN A ROW, ON HOLD FOR NEARLY AN HOUR THE 3RD TIME, WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO A SERVICE WRITER OR TECH, LEFT 3 VOICE MAILS FOR SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS NEVER CALLED BACK. RESEARCHED ISSUE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018, WHERE FORD INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12N03 TO EXTEND COVERAGE TERMS OF REPAIR OF ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE CAUSED BY PCM NEEDING REPROGRAMMING WITH SOFTWARE CONTAINING UPDATED IDLE SPEED CONTROL. PER NHTSA, SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONDITION MAY INCLUDE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, DIAGNOSTIC CODES (DTCS) P0505, P0506, OR P061B. FORD ISSUED BULLETIN TSB 11-10-21 THAT INCLUDED UPDATED POWERTRAIN CONTROL CALIBRATION.
NHTSA ODI #11052150
130,000 miles · May 30, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN TURNING AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL SHAKE, LUNGE AND THEN SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES IT JUST SHAKES AND HESITATES AND THEN KEEPS GOING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION ERROR COD…
Read full complaint
AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN TURNING AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL SHAKE, LUNGE AND THEN SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES IT JUST SHAKES AND HESITATES AND THEN KEEPS GOING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES WERE DISPLAYED. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS FINE.
NHTSA ODI #10992138
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