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

Tires complaints

6 reports

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8,000 miles · Apr 6, 2007

Tires

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT CONTRITRACT TOURING CT 95 TIRES, SIZE P215/60 R17 WERE MISSING CHUNKS OF RUBBER. THERE WERE 6,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT ONCE AGAIN NOTICED MISSING CHUNKS OF RUBBER. THE NEWLY REPLACED TIRES HAD 2,000 MILES ON THEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 8,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187189

28,568 miles · Dec 26, 2006

Tires

WHILE CONDUCTING A WEEKLY INSPECTION AND PRESSURE CHECK OF MY TIRES, (CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT AS P215/60R17) A SPLIT MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 2" IN LENGTH WAS OBSERVED IN THE SIDEWALL OF ONE TIRE. THE SPLIT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY ANY ROAD DAMAGE OR OTHER EXTERNAL FORCE. THERE IS NO AIR LEAKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH…

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NHTSA ODI #10176928

19,368 miles · Sep 19, 2006

Tires

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE TIRE THAT POSSIBLY CAUSED THE INITIAL BLOWOUT. THE TIRE WAS SHIPPED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE TIRE WAS A PIRELLI P225/55R18, DOT # N9WNF7. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - PIRELLI REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES UNDER THE CONDITION THAT ALL FOUR TIRES BE SENT TO THEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168623

31,808 miles · Sep 18, 2006

Tires

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CONTINENTAL TIRES (215/60/17), CHUNKS OF THE TIRE ARE COMING OFF. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT ISSUE, DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE (JOSE). FORD ALSO WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED, HOWEVER BOTH PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. A COMMON QUESTION OF BOTH WAS, DO I DRIVE ON GRAVEL ROADS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT, HOWEVER FORD DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SHELL AND SMALL GRAVEL ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN ROADS REPLACE IN THE AREA THAT I HAVE DRIVEN ON. BOTTOM LINE. I NOW HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIRE SAFETY ON MY CAR AND BOTH FORD AND CONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A COST, BUT BOTH REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A TIRE "ISSUE" AT THIS TIME. WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I AT ONE TIME OWNED A FORD EXPLORER AND WENT THOUGH THOSE "ISSUES". HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIRES ON THE FORD 500 OR CONTINENTAL TIRES? COULD SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND ASSIST ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168553

15,272 miles · Aug 21, 2006

Tires

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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVEHUNDRED THAT IS EQUIPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES. ACCORDING TO CONTINENTAL'S WEBSITE, THESE TIRES SHOULD LAST FOR SIXTY THOUSAND MILES. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND TWO OF THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY DEALER THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTINENTAL STATES THAT FORD SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. FORD STATES CONTINENTAL SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. TIRES THAT WEAR OUT THIS QUICKLY MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THIS TYPE TIRE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BEING KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10166187

6,908 miles · Sep 2, 2005

Power TrainTires

DT: LAST SUNDAY THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR STARTING RACING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT WAS REVVING UP. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT E…

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NHTSA ODI #10135188

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.