NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
136 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Aug 19, 2025
Power Train
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where the flywheel was replaced twice with used parts because the part had been discontinued. The contact stated that while her son w…
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where the flywheel was replaced twice with used parts because the part had been discontinued. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check transmission warning light, the check engine warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11681667
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2022
Power Train
While waiting at the light in traffic, my car all of a sudden Accelerated, and decelerates, I have to push hard on the breaks in order for it to not slam into the cars infront of me.. this is really dangerous, from what I have been reading this is a wide spread issue that ford has ignored for years..
NHTSA ODI #11473538
237,232 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAD SOME ISSUES WITH A MISFIRE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION I FOUNT THE CAR WAS THROWING THE CODE P0351 I CLEARED ALL FAULTS AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY WEKS WENT BY AND PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN BUT MORE SEVER DURING NORMAL OPERATION THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND SHIFTING ERRATIC I THEN C…
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I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAD SOME ISSUES WITH A MISFIRE. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION I FOUNT THE CAR WAS THROWING THE CODE P0351 I CLEARED ALL FAULTS AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY WEKS WENT BY AND PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN BUT MORE SEVER DURING NORMAL OPERATION THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND SHIFTING ERRATIC I THEN CAME UPON SOME K FORMATION AS TO A RECALL FORD PUT IN PLACE STATING IMPROPER CALIBRATION OF PCM AND TCM CAUSE UNNECESSARY INTERACTION I THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #11366459
226,768 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION HAS VERY HARD AND DELAYED UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. RPM GETS STUCK AROUND 3000 AT LOWER SPEEDS AND UPON ENGAGING INTO GEAR HAS MADE MY TIRES SQUAWK WITH A SUDDEN LUNGE IN SPEED AND SAME PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. IT ACTS A…
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TRANSMISSION HAS VERY HARD AND DELAYED UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. RPM GETS STUCK AROUND 3000 AT LOWER SPEEDS AND UPON ENGAGING INTO GEAR HAS MADE MY TIRES SQUAWK WITH A SUDDEN LUNGE IN SPEED AND SAME PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. IT ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL BUT THEN WHEN IT ENGAGES INTO GEAR SUDDEN CHANGES IN SPEED OCCUR CAUSING RAPID ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AFTER THE CAR IS UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. IT DOESN'T OCCUR AS OFTEN AT COLDER OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET BACK UP TO SAFE HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER HAVING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC OR RED LIGHTS AS WELL AS HARD TO GET UP TO SPEED TO SAFELY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FROM AN ON RAMP. AS FAR AS "WHEN" THIS HAPPENED IT IS EVERY DAY AS I DRIVE DAILY.
NHTSA ODI #11365936
266,000 miles · Aug 11, 2020
Power Train
RECEIVED A CODE STATING THAT I HAVE A FAULTY PCM. WHEN I DRIVE ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE SPEED GAUGE SHUTS DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11348696
270,453 miles · Aug 18, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
(ETB) ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ON MY CAR CAUSES AN ACCELERATION THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK FORWARD. I'VE ALMOST HIT A WALL, AND GOD FORBID THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ITS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. POOR DESIGN I GUESS BUT IT'S NOT WORTH MY LIFE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE THRU WHEN I TRIED …
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(ETB) ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ON MY CAR CAUSES AN ACCELERATION THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK FORWARD. I'VE ALMOST HIT A WALL, AND GOD FORBID THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ITS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. POOR DESIGN I GUESS BUT IT'S NOT WORTH MY LIFE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IDLING IN DRIVE THRU WHEN I TRIED TO GO FORWARD IT IDLED REALLY HIGH THEN DROPPED DOWN. WOULD BOT ACCELERATE AFTERWARDS.
NHTSA ODI #11244759
86,921 miles · Mar 10, 2019
Power Train
I STOPPED ON A CITY STREET AT STOP SIGN. AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPEN ON …
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I STOPPED ON A CITY STREET AT STOP SIGN. AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPEN ON CITY STREET AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I PLAN ON CONTACTING MY FORD DEALER TOMORROW.
NHTSA ODI #11185706
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…
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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
80,000 miles · Jun 14, 2017
Power Train
HARSH AND DELAYED SHIFTING. LUNGES FORWARD WHEN IN DRIVE AT STOP EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, SAME IN REVERSE. CAR SHIFTS FINE FOR FIRST 20-30 MINUTES THEN STARTS TO SHIFT HARD UP AND DOWN... SEEMS TO GET WORSE AS CAR GETS WARMER
NHTSA ODI #10995044
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…
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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.
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