NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
104 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER REVERSING OR AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER REVERSING OR AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10429592
90,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
NOT SURE THE EXACT TIME BUT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ( PURCHASED NEW) IS GOING INTO FAILSAFE MODE LIMITED THROTTLE POWER, VERY SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. IF YOU PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT CLEARS AND DRIVES NORMAL. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY AND IT HAP…
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NOT SURE THE EXACT TIME BUT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ( PURCHASED NEW) IS GOING INTO FAILSAFE MODE LIMITED THROTTLE POWER, VERY SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. IF YOU PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT CLEARS AND DRIVES NORMAL. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY AND IT HAPPENED 7 TIMES FROM MALL TO THE HOUSE (ABOUT 20 MILES). ONCE WHILE SHE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH. CAR JERKED THEN STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. VERY DANGEROUS. MY MECHANIC IS TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM, LOOKING LIKE THROTTLE BODY OR GAS PEDAL. I BELIEVE FORD CAME OUT WITH A NEW THROTTLE BODY IN 2010 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM (TSB 05-25-13)BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE IT AT THEIR COST IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY, OTHERWISE THE COST IS ON US THE CONSUMER. (ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428013
36,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXPECTANTLY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXPECTANTLY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,500.
NHTSA ODI #10425231
115,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422937
95,782 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I UNFORTUNATELY OWN A 05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 95,784 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS MY FOOT HITTING THE GAS WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THEN I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD BUT IT IN GEAR IT WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN. I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH JUST LAST NIGHT I WAS…
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I UNFORTUNATELY OWN A 05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 95,784 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS MY FOOT HITTING THE GAS WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THEN I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD BUT IT IN GEAR IT WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN. I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH JUST LAST NIGHT I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AND I PUT IT IN DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL AND I CAME INCHES FROM REAR ENDED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. TODAY I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED HOPEFULLY. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO PAYING A $1000 DOLLARS FOR A COMMON PROBLEM. WELL FORD YOU LOST ME AS A BUYER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422712
73,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE HAS RPM SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. I NEARLY HAD 3-4 ACCIDENTS IN 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE UP TO 1000 RPMS BY ITSELF WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS SOON AS I BEGIN TO RELEASE PRESSURE OFF THE BRAKE WHILE TRYING TO PARK OR NEGOTIATE THE VEHICLE AT…
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THE VEHICLE HAS RPM SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. I NEARLY HAD 3-4 ACCIDENTS IN 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE UP TO 1000 RPMS BY ITSELF WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS SOON AS I BEGIN TO RELEASE PRESSURE OFF THE BRAKE WHILE TRYING TO PARK OR NEGOTIATE THE VEHICLE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL JUST TAKE OFF. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF BACKWARD CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO SLAM THE BRAKES ON. I ALMOST HIT A WOMAN WHO WAS PASSING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LANE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416483
130,195 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
ON 7/27/11 CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED PAST NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS (LUNGING) SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2008, BUT HAS BEEN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A THROTTLE BODY DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416287
87,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THROTTLEBODY THAT CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS WITH STOPPING THE CAR. CAR LUNGES FORWARD CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMON ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS REFERENCED BY MANY PEOPLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION WHICH EXPLAINS FURTHER THE ISSUE AND WHY THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL: HTTP://WWW.FORDTAURUS.NET/…
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CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THROTTLEBODY THAT CAUSES SAFETY CONCERNS WITH STOPPING THE CAR. CAR LUNGES FORWARD CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMON ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS REFERENCED BY MANY PEOPLE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION WHICH EXPLAINS FURTHER THE ISSUE AND WHY THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL: HTTP://WWW.FORDTAURUS.NET/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=5&T=9366. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415265
160,500 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY BAD ALL MOST HAD WRECK CAR WOULD NOT GO JUST IDLED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414024
77,778 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN A 2005 FORD 500 AWD, CAR STUMBLES THEN LAUNCHED BACKWARD VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE KEPT GOING. "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413823
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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