Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

17 reports

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116,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THERE IS A LOAD ON THE ENGINE (A/C ON HIGH) AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GO TO TURN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GARAGE SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY THAT NEEDED REPLACED. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMM…

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NHTSA ODI #10344996

44,444 miles · Feb 6, 2008

Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

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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 · Dec 21, 2007

Fuel System, Gasoline

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FORD FIVE HUNDRED '05 BRAKES APPLIED IN HEAVY BRAKING SITUATION ON HIGHWAY AND THE FUEL CUT-OFF MECHANISM ACTIVATED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE CUT-OFF SWITCH, BY THE FRONT PASSENGER FOOT AREA HAD COME LOSE. RE-SET OF MECHANISM NOT POSSIBLE, HAD TO HAVE THE WIRING RE-DONE AND RE-CONFIGURED BY THE DEALER SERVICE AREA. THIS IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT COULD OCCUR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF IT IS EXPOSED TO PASSENGER FOOT BUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212508

18,015 miles · May 20, 2007

Fuel System, Gasoline

WENT THROUGH 3 PUDDLES OF WATER ,CAR STALLED HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER , DEALER FOUND FUEL LINE DETACHED. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191268

61,550 miles · Mar 29, 2007

Fuel System, Gasoline

LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING; WOULD SPUTTER ON TAKE OFF FROM A STOP; WOULD HESITATE WHILE PRESSING ACCELERATOR; STALLED; TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER -- THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186512

11,000 miles · Jul 7, 2006

Fuel System, Gasoline

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM A STOP SIGN, GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE FUEL CUTOFF INERTIA SWITCH WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 6-14-06 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD GOING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE INERTIA SWITCH; WHICH WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP PUT A STRAP AROUND THE SWITCH. ON 6-16-06 THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO START THE VEHICLE AND TAP THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WHERE THE INERTIA SWITCH WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER TESTED OTHER FORD 500S ON THE LOT TO SEE IF THE SAME THING OCCURRED AND IT DID. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THE SAME THING WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10161777

6,500 miles · Jun 1, 2006

Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STICKING INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD NOT INDICATE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. EVENTUALLY THE GAUGE WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL QUALITY AND ADDED FUEL ENHANCERS TO THE FUEL TANK. CURRENTLY THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MAINTAINED IF THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH FUEL QUALITY THE PROPER AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. UPDATED *AK UPDATED 6/20/2006 - *NM UPDATED 06/19/06- THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SULFUR WAS IN THE FUEL THAT HE WAS USING, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158786

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.