IllustrationTRANSMISSION IN FORD FIVE HUNDRED IS GOING BAD AT 65,000. *TR
2005 Ford Five Hundred
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Five Hundred years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
7625–50K
8750–75K
8875–100K
79100–150K
49150K+
443 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- 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
Power Train complaints
136 reportsI HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 SEL.WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE CAR GETS WARM THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT IN TO A LOWER GEAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BECAUSE OF THIS. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE OVER ACCELERATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE OVER ACCELERATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR COULD COST UP TO $5,100. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
THE AWF21 TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IS "BUCKING" ON DOWNSHIFTING AND UP SHIFTING AFTER IT IS WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 35-45 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSES CONFUSION TO THE OTHER DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS. *TR
WHEN THE CAR IS VERY WARM (START AFTER A SHORT TIME OF BEING PARKED OR 100+ DEGREE DAY), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVS TO 1,500 RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES MAKING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD, THEN STALLS OCCASIONALLY. THE SERVICE INDICATOR (WRENCH) LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE OPERATES …
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WHEN THE CAR IS VERY WARM (START AFTER A SHORT TIME OF BEING PARKED OR 100+ DEGREE DAY), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVS TO 1,500 RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES MAKING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD, THEN STALLS OCCASIONALLY. THE SERVICE INDICATOR (WRENCH) LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE OPERATES IN FAIL-SAFE MODE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THEN THE CAR LURCHES WHEN YOU LET OF THE THROTTLE (TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS"). TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT UNTIL IT COOLS AND THE SERVICE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND THE CAR DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN. IT'S A CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR
2005 FORD 500 - LIMITED RECEIVED A AWD MALFUNCTION WITH IN THE DASHBOARD WARNING SYSTEM. THE MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. NO APPARENT DRIVABILTY WHEN THE MALFUNCTION COMES ON. WOULD RESET IT SELF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE WARNING WOULD COME ON BACK ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINS OF D…
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2005 FORD 500 - LIMITED RECEIVED A AWD MALFUNCTION WITH IN THE DASHBOARD WARNING SYSTEM. THE MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. NO APPARENT DRIVABILTY WHEN THE MALFUNCTION COMES ON. WOULD RESET IT SELF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE WARNING WOULD COME ON BACK ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINS OF DRIVING. BROUGHT THE CAR TO AUTO MECHANIC AND HAD THE COMPUTER CONNECTED AND GOT A P1889 CODE, WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR WITH A KIT SUPPLIED BY FORD THE WARNING STILL CAME UP THE NEXT DAY AFTER 25 MINS OF DRIVING. THAT IS WERE I AM TODAY. *TR
HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT…
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HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME REALIZE OF MY PROBLEM AND AWARE THE TRAFFIC TO DE-ACCELERATE, AFTER THAT I STOP THE CAR AND SEE THAT IT WAS SPILLING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR STILL DOES NOT MOVE BY ITSELF SO I WAIT FOR THE WRECKING CRANE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER. WHAT IMPRESSED ME IS THAT THE CAR ONLY GOT 25,000 MILES AND IT WAS SPILLING OIL. THE TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE CHANGED, BUT MY WARRANTY RUN OUT ON JANUARY AND THE CHANGE OF WILL HAVE A COST OF 10,000 US DOLLARS. I'M WRITING TO YOU TO CHECK WITH FORD THIS PROBLEMS CAUSE THE LOSE THE LOSE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE AND THE JERK SPILLING OIL WILL PROBABLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WAS SOME INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 10/20/08.*JB
FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED (2005 @ 64,000 TEXAS HWY MILES) HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY, WHILE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE MYSTIFIED SO THEY SENT IT TO THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED IN THE S…
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FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED (2005 @ 64,000 TEXAS HWY MILES) HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY, WHILE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE MYSTIFIED SO THEY SENT IT TO THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED IN THE SHOP GETTING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND OIL CHANGED BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY GAVE THEM THE CODES TO 'FLASH' THE NEWEST CODES INTO THE TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE COMPUTERS. NO CHANGE. THEY TESTED NEW TRANSMISSION MODULES WITH NO CHANGE. SO NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE TRANSMISSION @ $4,300. THIS IS NOT GOOD! THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAYS THIS IS THE 4TH FIVE HUNDRED HE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH AND THAT THEY CANNOT GET PARTS TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION SO THEY HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO REPLACE IT. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THEY ALSO SAY THEY CANNOT GET PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. TOMORROW I AM GOING TO THE BIG GUYS AT FORD AND GET AN ANSWER FROM THEM ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · 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
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.